How to Find if You Have a Bench Warrant in Pennsylvania

Bench warrants may be issued when people miss court hearings, violate the terms of their probation, or even fail to pay fines. Unfortunately, many people are either never notified of the warrant or do not see the notices from the court. If you want to know whether a bench warrant exists with your name on it, call a lawyer.

People might discover a bench warrant in different ways. The police might tell you when they pull you over for a typical traffic stop. You might instead find out when you have some other contact with the court system. Still, others find out through their attorneys. Bench warrants are not issued for new crimes. If you find a bench warrant in your name, it is unlikely that you are wanted for some criminal offense. Even so, we must take the warrant seriously and try to fix the problem as quickly as possible. While many bench warrants do not end in arrest, the police are still authorized to arrest you if they deem it necessary.

For a free review of your case, contact our Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates by calling (215) 372-8667.

How People Find Out That They Have Bench Warrants for Their Arrest in Pennsylvania

It is not unusual for people to have no idea about bench warrants issued for their arrest. They are often issued for things that people do not realize they did, like missing a court date or violating the terms of their probation. They might not find out about the bench warrant until they encounter the police or the court system again, which might be weeks, months, or even years after the warrant was issued. Our Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer might be able to look up the warrant to determine why it was issued.

Traffic Stops

When the police pull someone over for a routine traffic stop, they usually run a quick check on the driver. These checks are performed so the police know who they are dealing with. They need to know if the driver is wanted for a crime or potentially dangerous. It is not unusual for police officers to find outstanding warrants for the driver’s arrest, including bench warrants.

What happens next depends on the officer and warrant. Bench warrants are not exactly a top priority of law enforcement. They are often issued for things like missing court dates, not new crimes. Often, police officers inform drivers about the warrant before letting them go with a warning to contact the court. However, the police officer is authorized to arrest a driver with an outstanding bench warrant.

It is not unusual for drivers to be totally unaware they have a bench warrant until the police officer tells them.

Contact with Courts

Maybe you show up to court for something unrelated to the bench warrant. When you are scheduled to appear in court, court administrators may see if you have any warrants. Again, this is often for protection. Court personnel need to know if the person showing up for court is wanted for a dangerous crime or some other violation. If they see you have a bench warrant, they may let you know, especially if the warrant was issued by a judge in the same court.

Police officers do not work for the courts but may arrest you anyway. The police are authorized to arrest people on outstanding warrants if they enter government property, such as courts. If someone is wanted for a dangerous crime, the court staff may contact the police so they can be there to arrest them when the wanted person shows up. This is more likely for standard arrest warrants rather than bench warrants.

Attorneys

If you are unsure whether there is a bench warrant with your name on it, ask an attorney for help. Your lawyer can contact the courts and inquire about any outstanding warrants. If there is a warrant, your lawyer can communicate with the court and figure out what needs to be done so you can avoid arrest and future legal trouble.

Some people do this when they suspect a warrant, but they fear contacting the courts directly because they do not want to risk being arrested. Your attorney can call the court and determine if a bench warrant exists. If it does, your attorney can help you schedule a new court date so the warrant can be lifted, and you can avoid being arrested.

Why Are Bench Warrants Issued in Pennsylvania?

Bench warrants are issued for someone’s arrest but are not the same as standard arrest warrants. While most arrest warrants originate from law enforcement, bench warrants come directly from judges. This is where the term “bench warrant” comes from. These warrants come from the judge’s bench.

Bench warrants are not issued for new crimes. If you discover a bench warrant for your arrest exists, it is likely not because the police suspect you have committed a criminal offense. Instead, these warrants tend to occur because defendants do not show up for court or they violate court orders.

For example, bench warrants are commonly issued for people who miss court dates related to minor things like traffic tickets or summary offenses. The court just wants you to come in so they can resolve the case.

Do Bench Warrants Always End in an Arrest in Pennsylvania?

While the authorities are authorized to arrest people on bench warrants, they do not always do so. Again, bench warrants are often issued for relatively minor issues, like missed court dates. The police do not like dedicating resources to issues you could resolve on your own with a phone call to the court. However, arrests are possible and sometimes happen.

When a bench warrant is issued in relation to a more serious case, the police are more likely to take that person into custody. For example, someone might be released on bail for a serious criminal offense, and they decide to skip bail and leave town. The court will likely issue a bench warrant for their arrest. Skipping bail is more serious than accidentally forgetting to show up to court for a traffic ticket, and the police will probably make an arrest.