An arrest warrant is a written order signed by judge and sent to a law enforcement official calling for the arrest of a person. A warrant may be issued after a person is named as a person of interest in a crime and if there is sufficient evidence that they have committed this crime. It may also be issued after an individual has missed a court date or has not paid any fines that they owe. After an arrest warrant is issued, the police will go out and arrest the individual who is being accused of the crime. It is important to remember that just because a warrant is out for an individual, it does not mean that they are guilty. It only means they are being charged with a crime and should seek the aid of an attorney at once.
Types of Arrest Warrants
There are several different types of warrants that may be issued. Some of the most common types of arrest warrants include:- Bench Warrant: This is one of the most common types of warrants. It is when an individual is out on bail or has been summoned to court, then fails to appear in court. When the defendant does not show up, the judge will usually sign a warrant for their arrest on the spot.
- Extradition Warrant: When an individual has committed a crime in another state, that state will issue an extradition warrant. The individual is then arrested and transported back to the other state where they will await trial.
- Felony Warrant: If an individual is suspected of committing a crime, then they will be served a felony warrant. These warrants do not expire and can be served anywhere in the United States, regardless of geographic region.
- No-Bond and Bondable Warrants: When a judge issues a warrant, they will either set a bond or issue a “no-bond” warrant. If a bond is set, then the individual may pay the bond immediately after they are placed in jail. However, if they are being held on no-bond, then they will either have to stay in jail until their next court date or schedule a bond hearing to try and set a bond.