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Can arrests warrents expire?

A friend of mine seems to think that arrests warrents can expire in Pennsylvania, I don't belive that to be true.

14 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The answer is yes, they can. Here's a quick rundown.

    They usually last around ten years or so. They can be extended, if needed. To keep them active, law enforcement has to show a due diligence in attempting to apprehend or contact the suspect.

    The statute of limitations has no bearing on a warrant. The statute of limitations is in regards to filing charges against a suspect. Once a warrant is issued, the charges have been filed with the DA.

    Source(s): Police officer.
  • 1 decade ago

    I'm not sure they do in all states but Illinois and Missouri they will expire but the time frame is between 5 to 10 years depending on the area, reason for arrest, and judge setting the arrest warrent.

  • WC
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    No, have you never head of people who done things wrong when they were young, and have since became model citizens, and during an employment backgroubnd check, it was discovered that they had an outstanding warrent out for their arrest from 20 plus years ago? You see stories like this in the papers from time to time.

  • Ryan D
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Functionally yes, but technically no. The warrant itself doesn't "expire", but the relevant statute of limitations for the crime may run out. Statutes of limitations set time limits on the duration between the commission of an offense/tort and when charges may be brought. If the police have a warrant, charges may be filed, but until the person is apprehended and formally charged, the statute continues to run. So if you get away from the scene of a crime, the police procure a warrant for your arrest, but they fail to apprehend you before the statute of limitations expires, the warrant ceases to be effective.

    Statutes of limitations vary widely from state to state, and there are certain offenses - usually murder but a few other serious crimes as well - that are not covered by statutes of limitations.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Yes, they can. There is a statute of limitations on every crime except murder. The bigger the crime the longer the statute of limitations. In the case of most crimes (misdemeanors) I believe the statute is 3-7 years. On most felonies it can run 3-10 years. If the crime is a federal crime, such as bank robbery I don't think there is any limit on how long it can run. The Feds have their own rules, but states for the most part limit the length of time the police may keep a warrant active.

    Source(s): Colorado Statutes.
  • 1 decade ago

    In Michigan they stay out forever, unless the city atty sees there is no action taken say if a person is from out of state he MAY get rid of it but that is rare and it is years and years since the thing was issued.

    Source(s): Worked at a court for 20 years
  • 1 decade ago

    A warrant never expires. It can be cancelled, but the only way to get rid of it is to turn yourself in.

  • alessi
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    There are actually not any statute of barriers on arrest warrants. merely the issuing decide can keep in mind a warrant. The statute of barriers refers to offender expenses different than 1st diploma homicide. No statute of barriers for 1st diploma homicide.

  • 1 decade ago

    Actually yes. Each offense has a statue of limitation in which a person can charged with an offense. Certain ones like murder have no statue of limitations.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Yes, warrants do expire, but it depends on the crime committed as to how long the warrant is issued for.

    Source(s): Law Enforcement background
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