Jacksonville Bench Warrant Lawyer

A “warrant” is a document issued by a court authorizing law enforcement to arrest the person named in the warrant and bring them before a judge. Such a person is being charged with a crime, or they’ve already been charged with a crime but they failed to appear in court, or they owe a fine, or he or she has failed to follow a court order and they are in contempt of court.

A “bench warrant” is a specific type of warrant that is issued when someone has failed to appear in court for a hearing. In other words, they weren’t sitting on the bench when they were supposed to. Once a bench warrant has been issued, the police can treat it the same as any other arrest warrant; they can even use it to arrest the person during a routine traffic stop.

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, contact a Jacksonville bench warrant lawyer at Problems? Pick Porter!™ as soon as possible. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys are ready to stand up for your legal rights and build a solid defense on your behalf.

Arrest Warrants vs. Bench Warrants: What’s the Difference?

The key difference between traditional arrest warrants and bench warrants is how they’re initiated. Bench warrants are initiated after an individual fails to show up in court. In contrast, arrest warrants are initiated by police officers who explain to a judge why they believe a suspect committed a crime (the officer shows “probable cause” as to why the person should be arrested).

When the officer is successful in convincing the judge, the judge signs off on a warrant, and the police can proceed in making an arrest. Most often, law enforcement obtains warrants so they can make an arrest at the suspect’s home, usually early in the morning hours when the suspect is asleep and has their guard down.

Are you concerned there is a warrant out for your arrest in Jacksonville, whether it’s a bench warrant or a standard arrest warrant? To find out if you’re a wanted person, visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website and follow the prompts on their “Wanted Person Search.”