What is a bench warrant?

A bench warrant is a type of court order that is issued by a judge or magistrate. It is used when an individual who has been summoned to court fails to appear. In Indiana, a bench warrant is used by the court to require the presence of a person to face a criminal or civil charge. This warrant essentially allows law enforcement to arrest the individual named in the warrant and bring them to court. Generally, a bench warrant is generated when an individual fails to appear in court or obey other court orders for things such as paying a fine. When a bench warrant is issued, it may be served by local law enforcement or state officials. The individual named in the warrant must report to court and face the charges. In some cases, a bench warrant may be issued if an individual fails to attend a deposition or answer a subpoena or complaint. In such cases, the individual may have time to complete the action before being arrested. In Indiana, if a bench warrant is issued, a fugitive warrant may also be issued, which authorizes law enforcement to cross state lines in order to bring an individual to court to face charges.

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What is a bench warrant?

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