What is a bench warrant and when is one issued?
A bench warrant authorizes the immediate on-sight arrest of the individual subject to the bench warrant. A bench warrant is issued as a result of that person’s failure to appear at the appointed time and date for a mandated court appearance. Bench warrants may be issued in either criminal or civil proceedings. Commonly (but not always), the person who is subject to a bench warrant has intentionally avoided a court appearance. If a person was on bond awaiting criminal trial when the non-appearance took place, the court usually revokes bond and sets a new (usually higher) bond amount to be paid when the subject is re-arrested.
