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Simple English definitions for legal terms
bench warrant
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A quick definition of bench warrant:
A bench warrant is a paper from a judge that says someone needs to be arrested. This happens when someone doesn't follow the rules of court or doesn't show up when they're supposed to. It can also happen when someone is accused of a crime and needs to be brought to court.
A more thorough explanation:
A bench warrant is a legal document issued by a court that orders the arrest or detention of a person. This can happen in a criminal or civil court case, and is usually issued when someone fails to appear in court or violates a court order.
- If a person is out on bail and fails to show up for their court date, a bench warrant may be issued for their arrest.
- If a witness is subpoenaed to appear in court and does not show up, a bench warrant may be issued for their arrest.
- If someone is found in contempt of court, a bench warrant may be issued for their arrest.
These examples illustrate how a bench warrant can be used in different situations. In each case, the court is ordering the arrest of someone who has failed to comply with a court order or who has violated the law.