If you’ve missed a court date in New York, there’s a good chance the judge has issued a bench warrant for your arrest. Many people don’t realize how serious this is until they get pulled over for a traffic stop or try to renew their driver’s license—only to find out there’s an active warrant against them.
At Vasiliou Law, based in Queens and serving all of New York, we’ve helped countless clients resolve bench warrants before they turn into bigger legal problems. If you or a loved one has an outstanding warrant, here’s what you need to know and how to handle it the right way.
A bench warrant is an order issued by a judge when someone fails to appear in court or doesn’t comply with a court order. Unlike an arrest warrant, which is issued based on criminal charges, a bench warrant is often triggered by procedural issues, such as:
Even if the original offense was a minor violation, a bench warrant can lead to an unexpected arrest, additional penalties, and even jail time.
If there is an active bench warrant against you in New York, law enforcement has the authority to arrest you at any time. This could happen:
The longer you ignore a bench warrant, the worse the consequences can be. You could face additional charges, higher fines, or even jail time. It also negatively affects your record, which can impact job opportunities, immigration status, and future court proceedings.
If you have a bench warrant, you should not wait for law enforcement to find you. Instead, take proactive steps to resolve it as soon as possible. Here’s how:
1. Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
This is the most important step. A lawyer can review your case, determine why the warrant was issued, and develop a strategy to resolve it without unnecessary penalties. In some cases, an attorney can appear on your behalf and have the warrant lifted without you having to be arrested.
At Vasiliou Law, we’ve successfully helped clients vacate bench warrants, reduce fines, and avoid jail time by negotiating directly with the court.
2. Do Not Ignore the Warrant
Ignoring a bench warrant won’t make it go away—it only makes things worse. If you’re arrested unexpectedly, you may spend time in jail before even getting the chance to explain your situation to a judge. Taking action on your terms is always better than waiting to be taken into custody.
3. Prepare for a Court Appearance
In many cases, your attorney can arrange a court date to address the warrant. The judge will review why you missed court and determine whether to recall the warrant. Having legal representation can make a big difference in how the judge views your case.
If you missed court due to an emergency, illness, or another valid reason, your lawyer can present evidence to show that your absence was unintentional.
4. Resolve Any Underlying Issues
If the warrant was issued because of unpaid fines, probation violations, or failure to complete a court-ordered program, those issues must be addressed before the judge will clear the warrant. Your attorney can negotiate a plan to help you comply with court orders without facing harsher penalties.
Yes, in many cases, a bench warrant can be lifted without you having to spend time in jail—especially if you take action voluntarily. Judges tend to be more lenient on individuals who step forward and take responsibility rather than waiting to be arrested.
Having a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side increases your chances of avoiding additional penalties.
If you or a loved one has an active bench warrant in New York, don’t wait until it leads to an arrest. At Vasiliou Law, we help clients in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx, Staten Island, and Nassau County resolve warrants quickly and with minimal disruption to their lives.
Call us today at 347-967-6141 or visit www.svlawpartners.com for a confidential consultation. The sooner you act, the better your chances of resolving the warrant without serious consequences. Let us help you take control of the situation before it escalates.
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