Table of Contents
Table of Contents
New Jersey Bench Warrants
New Jersey bench warrants are not good. If you have a bench warrant, this means you failed to comply with your court-ordered appearance. Getting a warrant will complicate your case & can be very expensive. Avoid getting an NJ bench warrant at all costs.
How serious are bench warrants?
A bench warrant is serious. Aside from getting on a judge’s bad side, you risk a surprise arrest & incarceration. For example, once a judge issues a warrant, the police have a “standing order” to take you in. The police need not investigate anything. They will not ask questions because they are not investigating anything. Once they identify you as someone with an outstanding NJ bench warrant, the handcuffs go on & you go to jail.
A few reasons for issuing bench warrants
New Jersey bench warrants empower judges. Courts use this tool to enforce your legal obligations. Your legal obligations include some of these:
- Your agreement to pay traffic fines
- Your agreement to pay child support
- Your agreement to comply with probation
- Your agreement to show up for court
Going to jail isn’t the only problem
When judges issue bench warrants, they mark your file. This warrant now becomes a part of your record. Anytime you go to court, your file reflects all of your warrants. This leaves you with a bad reputation before every court you appear in.
The fancy legal term for this is a scofflaw. It means a person who has no respect for the law. If you get a “scofflaw” reputation, judges favor keeping you incarcerated.
Judges also have the power to suspend your driver’s license. Your license loss will prevent you from working & having a social life. Worse, restoring your license is an expensive nightmare.
Getting an NJ bench warrant will also result in:
- Parole or probation violation
- Rejection from any diversionary program
- More criminal charges
Clients complain that the worst part of getting a bench warrant is feeling paranoid. There’s no worse feeling than living with a warrant hanging over your head. You are “looking over your shoulder” everywhere you go. It’s not worth it.
How to know if you have a bench warrant
If you failed to appear (FTA) for your court appearance, you likely have a bench warrant. To be certain, you can call the court administrator and ask.
This is not always a good idea. You might get nervous and lie about why you missed court. When you lie to the court, you further damage your case.
The best way to know if you have a bench warrant is to have your attorney make the call.
Do Bench Warrants Expire in NJ?
Bench warrants do not expire.
They stay in place until you get arrested or take responsibility and go to court. If you go to court, prepare yourself to explain your reasons for failing to comply with your legal obligations.
If you have a valid reason like hospitalization or funeral, you will need to provide proof.
Warning
Do Not lie about why you failed to appear in court.
This is the worst thing you can do.
You will only make matters worse.
How do i clear a warrant?
Your lawyer is most qualified to get your bench warrant lifted. Do not attempt this on your own. A bad reason or a lie will make matters worse.
Courts will accept the following reasons to lift a warrant:
- Due Process Violations (insufficient notice)
- Attendance at a funeral (proof required)
- Hospitalization (proof required)
- Administrative error
Final Thoughts
You must never ignore a New Jersey bench warrant.
The consequences are severe & no benefit exists.
Your legal problems will persist & must get resolved sooner rather than later.
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