[stockton2010]

Hi,

I have a bench warrant for failure to appear in court in Massachusetts. Right now I am in China and plan to go back to U.S. to continue my study. I have contacted my lawyer and asked him about the arrest. He told me that he is working on having me return and going to the court with him to clear up the default. My question is whether the warrant will show up during a passport check at the immigration custom and I could be arrested at the airport before I go to see my lawyer and go to the court. Thank you.

[smoothy]

As long as there is a warrant out... that is a possibility. If they do stop you or not... is anybodies guess. Based on the outstanding warrants some localities have... they aren't really all that efficient in enforcing them.

[Fr_Chuck]

It is very likely to show up in customs check or in the check the airline does for possible "threats to security"

If you are entering at New York, a better chance of them stopping and holding you, if you enter California, less chance of being stopped at customs. Well they may stop you, but most likely they will not hold you and transport you back.

If and when caught on a warrant, it is up to the state that issued the warrant to decide if they are going at this time, hold and transport you. Often if the state where you are caught is far away and the crime is more minor, they may not hold you past a short period to decide to transport or not.