In California, there are many kinds of warrants that are used in the legal justice system. This discussion focuses on bench warrants that are issued in California.
Bench warrants in California are warrants that are issued by the judge directly. This occurs when a case is under their jurisdiction and the accused does not appear (an FTA bench warrant) or fails to pay fines (an FTP bench warrant). In addition, bench warrants are issued when a decision has been made and the accused failed to comply with its contents. Often, when protective orders are issued by the court in domestic violence cases, violations of these would merit a bench warrant.
Like arrest warrants, bench warrants are orders upon law enforcement agents to arrest the accused and bring your person before the judge. When this has been complied with and an arrest has been made, the judge may either issue a warning for your compliance or hold you in custody for contempt of court that is failure to comply with court orders.
When a finding for contempt of court is made, then the effect would be a violation of probation with the effect of incarceration in either a state or county facility, payment of additional fines and suspension of licenses either professional or state issued.
Once a bench warrant is issued, your lawyer has the option of going to court to have the warrant recalled or quashed for failure to comply with legal requirements. If the warrant was issued for failure to comply with court orders, it may be subject to another case. Like all warrants, refusing or fleeing from it may only lead to a difficult and tumultuous life as a fugitive from the law.
A bench warrant is a serious legal document in California. Should you be or know anyone undergoing this process, do reach out to the lawyers at the Law Offices of Ramiro J. Lluis for a free consultation today.
