What happens when a bench warrant is issued?
A bench warrant is a variant of an arrest warrant, which authorizes the immediate on-sight arrest of the individual subject to the bench warrant. Typically, a bench warrant is issued for a person in contempt of court – possibly as a result of that person’s failure to appear at the appointed time and date for a mandated court appearance. Bench warrants may issue in either criminal or civil proceedings. Commonly (but not always), the person who is subject to a bench warrant has intentionally avoided a court appearance to escape the perceived consequences of being found guilty of a crime. If a person was on bail awaiting criminal trial when the non-appearance took place, the court usually forfeits bail and sets a new (usually higher) bail amount to be paid when the subject is re-arrested. If a person is found to have a bench warrant against them when stopped by a law enforcement officer, the person is immediately taken into custody by authorities, rejailed and a hearing is held at which t
