Understanding What a Bench Warrant vs Arrest Warrant Is
A bench warrant is commonly issued when an individual fails to follow the rules of the court or fails to comply with a court order. An arrest warrant is issued once sufficient evidence of criminial activity has been gathered and probable cause has been established.
Following are all examples of contempt charges that may lead to a bench warrant being issued for your arrest:
- Neglecting to show up for a court hearing
- Disobeying a subpoena ordering you to testify in a case
- Failing to pay court-ordered child support
- Violating your probation
- Failing to pay a traffic ticket
The bench warrant process starts with the judge, however once a bench warrant is issued it is treated like any other arrest warrant thus allowing police officers to place you under arrest at any time or in any location they find you. The arrest warrant process begins with a police officer.
By providing said evidence to a judge, the officer can then get an arrest warrant issued. Not all arrests will be made as a result of a warrant. Some arrests are made after an officer witnesses a crime being committed or has reasonable cause to believe the individual committed a crime, such as in the case of a suspected DUI.
If you or a loved one has had a warrant issued for your arrest, it is vital that you obtain legal counsel immediately. It does not matter whether the charges or claims against you are valid. What does matter is that you act quickly to obtain legal representation from a Quincy criminal defense attorney you can trust to defend your rights. I have been practicing criminal defense law in the Quincy area for many years.
I am a skilled criminal defender and with an eye for spotting injustices and discrepancies in criminal cases presented by the prosecution. I have a background in private investigation which has proven to bode well for my clients when it comes to gathering the evidence necessary to build an aggressive defense strategy on their behalf. Neither a bench warrant nor an arrest warrant should be ignored.
Contact Flanagan & Associates immediately if you have a warrant out for your arrest, so that I can provide you with the representation you need to maintain your freedom and avoid facing criminal charges.