If you were charged with a crime in Florida and missed your court date, chances are that you have a bench warrant out for your arrest.
A bench warrant is very serious. If you are picked up on an active warrant, you could be held in jail until the court has a hearing on your case, or you could be required to post a high bond.
What is a Bench Warrant
A warrant is a legal document issued by a judge authorizing the police to arrest you. Since the judge signs it while sitting “on the bench,” it’s called a bench warrant.
A bench warrant can be issued for many reasons, but the most common is for failing to appear for court; also known as FTA.
RELATED: How to Check if You Have a Bench Warrant in Florida
Because an outstanding warrant doesn’t just go away on its own, it is important you clear it as soon as possible.
How to Clear a Bench Warrant in Florida
There are several ways you can clear an outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear, including:
- Turning yourself in. While it may seem obvious, it’s not always possible or recommended. This is particularly true if you don’t live in Florida or you want to avoid dealing with the court system.
- Contacting a bondsman. While they are certainly experienced in dealing with warrants, it doesn’t guarantee you won’t spend time in jail. In addition, you still need to resolve the criminal charge, which a bondsman cannot do.
- Contacting the Judge. You can alway try to contact the Judge’s assistant and request a hearing to recall/vacate your warrant. However, you will be required to attend this hearing and all future hearings until your case is closed.
- Hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Lastly, you can hire a criminal defense lawyer for help. In most cases, an experience criminal attorney can lift your warrant without you having to be present in court. In addition, they can defend you with the underlying criminal charge.
Our Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You
While you can certainly try to resolve a bench warrant on your own, our Florida criminal defense lawyer can help.
At TicketFit, our criminal defense lawyer has the experience necessary to lift your warrant fast. In addition, he can help you avoid or minimize the severe consequences of the underlying criminal charge.
Don’t delay, call us now at (305) 775-3720 or email us for a free consultation! We’re available 24/7 and represent all counties in Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
Hi I was never issued a court date but I have a warrant for my arrest. it’s the holidays and I don’t know what to do. Would I be able to bond out?
Good morning, in what county was the warrant issued in? Also ill need the license number and full name and dob to check. Feel free to e-mail it to me.
I missed my court hearing and I tried to take care of it but because of covid I dont want to turn myself in and sit in jail for couple years …..I dont
live in florida…please help
Hi Crystal, you won’t have turn yourself in if I help. I just e-mailed you for follow up question. Thanks!
Hello due to Coronavirus we have been doing Court on an app called Zoom. I was present for my court date on Zoom. I want to know how to pool that information so that I can prove to them that I was there in court. I have been issued a bench warrant what is it that I need to do cuz I don’t want to go to jail
Hi Joshua, I can assist you with this. I just sent you a follow up email with information I need to check. Thanks!
I failed to appear in court today my name’s Allison bojanowski and I live in Brevard county
Hi Allison, I can definitely help you clear the warrant and represent the case moving forward. I just emailed you requesting additional information I need to review your case. Thank you!