What is a Bench Warrant and How Does it Get Recalled?
If you fail to appear for a court appearance, the court MUST issue a warrant for your arrest in order to keep jurisdiction over your case. The judge issues the warrant from the bench, hence the name “bench warrant.” This warrant goes into the system and law enforcement is now empowered to find you and arrest you. In fact there is a special group of officers who are members of the sheriff’s department who are supposed to now look for you and arrest you. When the warrant is issued, the judge sets the bail amount. When you are arrested you must pay this bail amount or stay in jail. Now, in addition to the original reason you were supposed to show up in court, you have an additional charge of failure to appear. In order to get the warrant recalled, generally you must show up in court along with your attorney. Some judges will allow your attorney to appear without you but that is rare. If your original charge (the one you failed to appear in court about) is a felony you almost ALWAYS have t
