How to clear a warrant in California?

Asked by: Sadye Schultz  |  Last update: November 1, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (31 votes)

To remove or clear the warrant (quash), you or your defense attorney should voluntarily appear before the judge and request a warrant recall. In California, the primary warrants within the criminal justice system are a bench warrant, an arrest warrant, and a search warrant.

How long does it take for a warrant to go away in California?

The Length of Time a Bench Warrant Lasts in California: Do Arrest Warrants Expire? According to Penal Code 978.5 PC, bench warrants—also known as body attachments—do not expire in California. This means a bench warrant will stay on your record until the situation is resolved.

How do I clear a failure to appear in California?

How to Clear a Failure to Appear in California
  1. Be Proactive and Show up to Court. ...
  2. Get a Copy of the Original Ticket. ...
  3. Attend the Hearing and Plead Not Guilty. ...
  4. OR Ask for Leniency. ...
  5. Attend the Court for Your Original Charge and Pay the Required Fines.

Can you pay off a warrant in California?

For payment relief options, see the Payment Options and Financial Hardship Information page. If you have failed to appear on a traffic/minor offense case and a warrant has been issued, you may be able to pay the total bail or an appearance in court may be necessary. Warrants cannot be settled over the phone or online.

Can a warrant be dropped in CA?

You can often clear or “quash” a bench warrant by appearing in court or having their lawyer appear on your behalf. To quash a bench warrant means the court will remove it from California's judicial system. They are typically issued for the following reasons: Failure to appear (FTA).

How to Clear & Remove California Bench Warrants

35 related questions found

Can you pay to get out of a warrant?

No, You Cannot Simply Pay Off a Warrant.

Perhaps you think you can just pay a fine, post a bond, or settle it over the phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Warrants are ordered by judges specifically because you failed to comply properly with the court process.

What to avoid if you have a warrant?

Things You Can't Do If You Have A Warrant
  • You Can't Travel Freely. An active warrant severely limits your ability to travel freely, especially outside your immediate local area or state. ...
  • You Can't Legally Drive. ...
  • You Can't Enter Federal Property. ...
  • You Can't Ignore the Warrant. ...
  • You Can't Rely on Past Checks.

How do I write a letter to a judge to quash a warrant?

Request to the Court: I hereby request that the warrant issued for me in the above listed matter be quashed for the following reasons, and that the Court set a hearing on this matter, as soon as possible. (On the lines below explain your request - what you want the judge to order if they grant your request (or Motion).

How do I check if I have a warrant in California?

To find out if you have an active warrant in California, you can either: Search your name on the appropriate County Sheriff's website or Superior Court website. For example, in Orange County, you can search the Orange County Sheriff's Department website. Run a search on the private CaliforniaArrests.org website.

How long do you stay in jail for a warrant for missing court?

If you were a defendant in an ongoing criminal case and were arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear, you could potentially be held in custody until the completion of your trial. Depending on the complexity of the case and the court's docket, this period can span several months or longer.

Does California have ticket forgiveness?

On June 24, 2015, the Governor signed into law a traffic amnesty program to help people with unpaid tickets and suspended driver's licenses.

How long do you go to jail for failure to appear in California?

As a misdemeanor, a FTA charge can add six months in county jail and $1,000 in fines to the penalties you are already facing. As a felony, it is punishable by up to three additional years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Do warrants expire in CA?

Arrest warrants, unlike some legal documents, do not come with an expiration date. When a warrant is issued, it remains active until either the subject of the warrant is apprehended or the court revokes it.

What time are most warrants served?

Search warrants are different. They are generally executed in the daytime; the daytime is defined between 6am and 10pm.

Can I get a job with a misdemeanor warrant?

In most cases, yes, especially if it does not lead to a conviction. This is because if a warrant is recalled or a case is adjudicated it may not appear on a background check. Keep in mind that if you have an open warrant, the employer may be able to see it during the employment adjudication process.

Does writing a letter to the judge help?

Writing a letter to a judge requesting leniency can be a crucial step in influencing the outcome of a sentencing. Such letters, often submitted during the sentencing phase of a criminal case, aim to persuade the judge to impose a lighter sentence.

How long does it take to quash a warrant?

Most judges will grant an attorney's motion to recall within seven days. Once the Motion to Recall is granted, the bench warrant will be quashed and a new court date set.

How to write a letter to a judge to dismiss a case?

Begin with a clear and concise introduction, stating the grounds for dismissal. Follow with a detailed argument section that outlines why the complaint should be dismissed, supported by legal authorities. Use Casefleet's customizable reports to organize your arguments and ensure all critical points are covered.

Can you just pay a warrant in California?

This means you cannot simply pay a fee to make the warrant disappear. You must follow the proper legal channels, which can include appearing in court. If you fail to appear, the court may impose stricter penalties or increase the bond amount, making it more challenging to resolve the situation.

Can the airport see if you have warrants?

In the United States, both arrest warrants or individuals with arrest warrants are typically unable to fly, as the TSA can access a database of such individuals. However, rules may differ in other countries, like Canada, where flying with it might be possible.

Can you fly out of state with a warrant?

People with outstanding arrest warrants usually cannot travel in the United States as the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has access to many law enforcement databases including records on arrest warrants. With this access, TSA can screen and maybe hold those with active warrants at airport terminals.

How can I avoid jail with a warrant?

In some cases, you can clear the warrant by paying a bond or fine and scheduling a new court date. In other situations, you may need to appear before the judge to explain why you missed your original court date and request that they lift the warrant.

How long does it take for a warrant to be issued in California?

In California, search warrants are issued by judges. How long it takes to obtain the warrant depends on how quickly an officer can convince the judge that a warrant is necessary. In special cases where time is of the essence, this may take as little as minutes, but it generally takes at least a few hours.

Can you sue for warrant?

Yes, you can sue for being a victim of this illegal process.

In California, individuals can take legal action if their Fourth Amendment rights are violated, such as when police unlawfully enter homes, search vehicles without cause, or seize property without a valid mandate.