What is the statute of limitations on a bench warrant?

A bench warrant remains in effect until it is executed (i.e. you are arrested, or surrender yourself to the court). There are a number of post on just this issue. Explore the Similar Questions section and you may find more on what you are exactly looking for.

SOL is the amount of time that someone has to take legal action against you over some issue. A Bench warrant is issued AFTER one has been charged with a crime, generally its issued because the person failed to show for a hearing.

Since the legal action (being charged with the crime) has taken place, then the SOL is now moot.

What is the statute of limitations on a bench warrant?


If you're asking when a warrant expires the answer is never. You can, of course, turn yourself in, get arrested - to satisfy the warrant but it will never expire.

As noted the warrant will stay active till you are either brought before the court, or you die or you do some legal action to resolve the warrant.

In some city courts, bench warrants for traffic tickets are sometimes cleared after a number of years but that is a city by city issue.

As noted the warrant will stay active till you are either brought before the court, or you die or you do some legal action to resolve the warrant.

In some city courts, bench warrants for traffic tickets are sometimes cleared after a number of years but that is a city by city issue.


Right - I forgot the dying part is an option - :D

Correct Chuck and Judy. You only get three choices. Get arrested. Turn yourself in. Or die. Warrants do not expire.