Bench Warrants

Bench Warrants

Waldorf Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested for or charged with a crime in the state of Maryland, you are required to meet several legal, financial, and administrative obligations. If you fail to meet these obligations, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest. Once this has occurred, you will be arrested in any subsequent interaction with law enforcement.

If you believe you have a bench warrant out for your arrest, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The Waldorf criminal defense lawyers at the Farmer & Klopfer can assist you if you have had a bench warrant issued for your arrest or if you have been arrested following the issue of a bench warrant in Southern Maryland and the surrounding areas.

What is a bench warrant?

A bench warrant is a warrant for arrest issued by a judge, typically for failure to appear in court.

When Are Bench Warrants Issued in Maryland?

Generally speaking, a bench warrant for your arrest will be issued in the following circumstances:

  • You failed to appear at a scheduled court or sentencing hearing
  • You failed to pay required fines or fees
  • You failed to make required child support payments
  • You violated a court order, including court-ordered community service

What Happens when You Have a Bench Warrant Issued against You?

In short, if you have a bench warrant issued against you and you have any contact with law enforcement, including being pulled over by police for something unrelated to the bench warrant, you can—and likely will be—arrested immediately. You may be taken into custody and held without bail. You may also be released on bail (depending on the circumstances involved) and required to appear at a later court date. You may face more severe penalties for your alleged offense if a bench warrant is issued against you, as you did not initially meet your legal, financial, and administrative obligations.

A wide variety of factors affect the penalties associated with a bench warrant, including the reason a bench warrant(s) was issued against you and your previous criminal history (if applicable). Only an experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to fully advise you of your rights and legal options.


Your initial consultation with our team is completely free and all legal contact is always confidential. Call (301) 265-2220 or submit an online contact form today. 

Trust Our Award-Winning Team

While a bench warrant in Maryland does not always mean immediate jail time, it is likely that you face imprisonment, steep fines, and other serious consequences. It is in your best interests to speak to a Waldorf criminal defense lawyer at our firm as soon as possible. Our award-winning team can fight for you and help you limit or minimize the consequences of your pending bench warrant. We know how to navigate the criminal justice system and are prepared to aggressively advocate for you.

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