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Arrest Warrant vs. Bench Warrant?
Hi... I need your help.
I always thought an arrest warrant was something issued for commiting a crime... i.e. - you didn't pay your parking/speeding tickets and now you're being arrested for it.
I thought a bench warrant was something issued by the court for missing your court date... i.e. - you didn't pay your tickets, was issued a court date and you failed to appear for it, and now you're being arrested for that.
I was doing research and came upon an website talking about warrants. To me, they made it sound like the same thing.
Is it?
If not, can you explain to me the difference?
Thanks...
T.
So they are the same? Okay... thanks.
The name differences kind of threw me off I guess....
Oh- there's more... the two are a little different....
Thanks for the wonderful answer...
T.
5 Answers
- coragryphLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Both types of warrants are issed by a court (a judge).
Arrest warrants are normally issued based on a request from the police, when there is probable cause to determine that a crime (usually a felony) has been committed.
Bench warrants are issued by the court, usually without a request from the police, if the judge determines on their own (called "sua sponte") that there is grounds for the arrest. Criminal contempt of court or skipping out on bail are two common examples.
Also, usually, for an arrest warrant, the police execute the warrant (go and arrest the person) in a timely manner. For bench warrants, these usually just sit in the police database until the person is stopped or arrested on some other charge.
- 5 years ago
They are not the same.
A bench warrant is issued directly from the judge when an individual misses a court date. It can be issued in both civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases that require a bench warrant are for defendants who do not appear in court. In a civil case, a bench warrant can be issued for a witness who is required to be in court by a subpoena.
An arrest warrant is issued when a judge believes that there is probable cause that an individual has committed a crime. A judge may issue an arrest warrant based on evidence uncovered through a police investigation or testimony from a cooperating witness. If you are indicted for a crime by a grand jury, an arrest warrant may also be issued.
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ARREST WITH WARRANT An arrest occurs when a suspect is taken into custody for the purpose of booking that suspect on a criminal charge. Arrest Warrant vs. Search Warrant A search warrant provides a law enforcement officer with the authority required by law to gain access to a premise, conduct a search, and seize property. An arrest warrant permits a law enforcement officer to make a lawful arrest of a specific person. Arrest warrants and search warrants are only available to law enforcement agents (including the FBI and the DEA), but neither are available to private citizens. And both are issued by a judge. Arrest Warrant Issuance An arrest warrant is obtained by a law enforcement agent (typically, by a federal agent, state police, county sheriff, or local police officer) after having appeared before a judge (usually a magistrate) and presenting evidence that substantiates cause for an arrest. The evidence presented to the judge to obtain the warrant may become a legal technicality in a criminal case, but generally speaking, the evidence need only cause a reasonable person to conclude that a crime was committed. The evidence need not prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, nor even be clear and convincing. Arrest warrants are very similar to search warrants in this manner; both require evidence that causes a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed. Knock & Announce & Don't Destroy An officer with an arrest warrant is required by law to knock and announce his presence before entering the premise of another even if the officer positively identifies, absolutely knows, or has a reasonable belief that the suspect is within the premise. That's the law. And it is possible that the procedures employed to obtain a warrant or to exercise a warrant will become a legal question in a case based on many technicalities, so these are just general guidelines. Now, generally speaking, here are some of the exceptions to the rule. The amount of time between "knocking and announcing" and "entering and arresting" can be slight. The officer need not knock or announce if he has a reasonable belief that by doing so, he may place himself or others into a dangerous situation, evidence may be moved or destroyed, or even if he believes that some other event might occur that would hinder the arrest. Under Wisconsin law, the "knock and announce" rule has been challenged many times. An officer should not destroy property unnecessarily during an arrest, but he may "break in" thus destroying windows and doors to gain access. WARRANT FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR (BENCH WARRANT) If a person (or sometimes a witness) fails to appear in court as directed by the citation or summons served on them, the court may issue a bench warrant for the person's arrest. The "bench warrant" is sent to the local, state, or national authorities, as the case may require. A “bench warrant” effectively tells the authorities to bring the person named in the warrant to the courtroom of the judge issuing the warrant.