Bench Warrant in Florida: Understanding How It Works

What is a bench warrant in Florida? How do you find out if you have a bench warrant? And what can you do about it? We answer all your questions about Florida bench warrants here, from different types of warrants to how to find out if one has been made in your name, as well as what to do (and not do) when a bench warrant has been issued for you.

What is a bench warrant meaning in Florida? And are all warrants the same? No, there are actually two different kinds of warrants. A judge may issue a bench warrant Florida or an arrest warrant, depending on the circumstances. The Florida statute governing warrants is found in the title of Criminal Procedure and Corrections, in Chapter 901. 

What is a bench warrant in Florida? It is the most common kind of warrants sometimes called failure-to-appear, or FTA, warrant. A bench warrant starts with a judge and basically orders you to appear for a court date at a specific time and place and gives police officers the power to arrest you no matter where you are. They’re usually used for minor offenses, like not showing up for traffic court or a legal hearing. Even if you’re not at fault for missing a court date, such as if the notice got lost in the mail or went to the wrong address, a ticket warrant can still be issued. The courts always require and expect some kind of response. Going AWOL doesn’t work well here.

An arrest warrant is different because it involves a criminal investigation. Police officers start the process by gathering evidence and presenting it to a judge to ask for an arrest warrant to be issued. You’ll most often see these types of warrants if you watch crime shows.

Both types of warrants can end the same way: you turning yourself in or being arrested and taken to court by force. You can be arrested on the spot for a ticket warrant or bench warrant. However, it’s unlikely you’ll be tracked down by police solely for a bench warrant. In most cases, you’ll have broken an unrelated law, like speeding, and when looking up your information the officer will see you have a bench warrant for speeding tickets and will almost certainly take you into custody then. You should also know that warrants do not have an expiration date, and they will not go away on their own with time.

How can you find out if you have a bench warrant in your name in Florida? The most reliable way is to call the county courthouse clerk or local police department and ask for a bench warrant traffic ticket search to be run. They will have the most reliable information in their system.

If you want to remain anonymous, there is an online option. The state of Florida maintains a public database through the Florida Crime Information Center. Law enforcement agencies submit records from the entire state here. You can search these records using the full name, sex, race, and age or date of birth of the person with the suspected warrant. Be careful, though, because the online information may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date.

If you’ve confirmed a bench warrant for traffic violation has been issued for you, and you want to avoid being arrested by police, you need to take action. You have three options:

Can you get a bench warrant lifted with these three choices? The easiest and safest way is to hire an attorney. A good defense lawyer will be able to give you advice on what your best options are based on your individual situation. He or she will contact the court and might be able to negotiate to get the warrant canceled. 

If your lawyer can’t get the warrant for traffic ticket dismissed right away, they can make arrangements for you to appear at a new hearing without the risk of getting arrested first. Consider preparing an affidavit that would demonstrate your truthful statements on the incident. You will need to show up at that hearing, either on your own or with your attorney, to have the bench warrant lifted.

You don’t have to try to take care of a bench warrant on your own, nor should you. A competent lawyer will know all the details about bench warrants in Florida state. They will be able to help you navigate the legal system with the least amount of pain and trouble and give you the information you need to know to handle a bench warrant situation. A defense attorney can also deal with other charges or problems with the law you may be facing.

Having a bench warrant issued for you in Florida can be a scary position to be in. Don’t panic, and don’t ignore it, hoping it will disappear. It won’t. And in a short time, the simple problem of a warrant will spiral into a complicated, costly, and embarrassing ordeal. A bench warrant has to be dealt with, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. 

If you’ve discovered a bench warrant in your name, contact a defense lawyer as soon as possible. They are your best bet to avoid getting arrested. Make sure to appear at all future hearings or court dates. Meet all the requirements given to you by the court system, and soon, the threat of a bench warrant will be long gone.