Legal Definitions - bench warrant

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.