Why Do Courts Issue Bench Warrants?

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bench warrants are a type of arrest warrant used in local jurisdictions. They are typically issued by the courts and signed off by sitting magistrates, or judges. A bench warrant stands in as a pending arrest; authorizing police to arrest a person any time or place, as soon as they are dispensed. If a person has a bench warrant, they should turn themselves in as soon as possible to avoid further punishment by the courts.

It is also in their best interest to research the best way to turn themselves in on a bench warrant, and how to post their own bail afterwards.

What are Bench Warrants?

Bench warrants are most commonly issued for people in contempt of court. If the court gives a person guidelines or legal obligations, such as drug screenings or future court proceedings, they are expected to fulfill all of their legal responsibilities. If they fail to do so, such as skip a court date or violate probation, they are issued a bench warrant. It is metaphorically bringing someone to the “judge’s bench” for ruling.

Bench warrants do not stop at the police department; they are also sided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, who will suspend a person’s drivers’ license as well. When there is a bench warrant issued for someone’s arrest, there is very few options left for that person until they turn themselves in to the court.

How to Self-Surrender to a Bench Warrant

To turn yourself in on a bench warrant, a person should first consult a lawyer about their options. This can allow a person to prepare for a short, or long, jail stay. They will have a chance to make arrangements with work, or family, as well as, bail arrangements. Once a lawyer is hired, they will give further instructions on what to do. If a person cannot hire a lawyer, they should call the jail, or the courts, and ask for instructions on how to turn themselves in on their existing bench warrant. Typically, you just show up to the jail and let them know you are turning yourself in, and then they take it from there. They will process you and then let you get a phone call. You can either call a friend, family member, or bail bond agency for help.

Woods Bail Bonds

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 812-333-3399

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to turn yourself in for a bench warrant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, has decades of experience in the bail bond industry and can provide accurate information regarding arrest warrants and more. We can get you a safe a secure release from jail in any county in Indiana. Call 317-876-9600 for professional bail bond services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding cities.

3 Common Types of Arrest Warrants

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Crimes are committed every day. Although many crimes are witnessed and addressed immediately by witnesses and police, there are much more carried out behind the eyes of the law. For these types of crimes, courts administer warrants for arrest. Even though a person commits a crime behind closed doors, doesn’t mean they won’t soon be accountable for those crimes. An arrest warrant is basically an affidavit of law, permitting the arrest of a person suspected of criminal activity or involvement.

Read on to learn the different types of arrest warrants commonly used here in the United States.

Outstanding Warrants

If a person has committed a misdemeanor crime, they will have an arrest warrant issued for them. This gives local law enforcement a heads up to look out for this particular guilty party. It also gives them permission to take them into custody for their suspected crime. For lesser crimes, police will not actively search down every guilty person with an outstanding arrest warrant, because there are simply too many. So if a person is not found for a while and neglected to turn themselves in, an arrest warrant becomes an outstanding warrant due to the amount of time it’s been active.

If you have an outstanding arrest warrant, you can choose to turn yourself in to authorities and face your charges; this way you can get it over with and put it behind you. If you do not want to turn yourself in, you are taking a huge risk that can affect your life down the road, substantially. It can affect your job, driving privileges, obtaining a passport, and many other areas of life.

Felony Warrants

Felony warrants are arrest warrants for more serious crimes that are categorized as felonies. This can include drug trafficking, solicitation, larceny, check fraud, multiple DUI charges, and other serious cases. For example, if a person runs a red light at an intersection and causes a serious accident, then drives off to avoid the consequences, the consequences will in fact be more severe, because that is a criminal act and a felony.

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is a basic warrant; however, rather than being issued by the police, it is issued by a judge. It requires the defendant to be taken into to custody by police and brought to the theoretical “bench” of the court room to face their charges. Bench warrants occur when a non-violent and non-dangerous criminal act is committed. This includes, failure to appear for court, outstanding child support payments, failure to show for jury duty, and other similar legal orders.

Woods Bail Bonds

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 812-333-3399

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to look up active arrest warrants in Indiana, or to self-surrender to an outstanding arrest warrant and prearrange bail in Indianapolis. Licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, is happy to answer your questions about arrest warrants, turning yourself in, and prearranging bail bonds. We offer a wide range of 24 hour bail bond services, as well as, notary services, inmate look-ups, and more. Call 317-876-9600 and speak with a friendly and informative bail bondsman about arrest warrants in Indianapolis, IN today.