What is the lock in period for warrants?

Asked by: Alta Murphy I  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (54 votes)

A warrant lock-up period restricts selling or transferring warrants (and sometimes the underlying shares) for a set time, commonly 180 days (about 6 months) after an offering for private placement warrants (PPW) under FINRA rules, or shorter periods like 30 days after a business combination in SPACs, while Indian regulations may require 6 to 18 months for promoter warrants. These lock-ups prevent immediate dumping of securities, stabilizing prices after initial issuance, and vary greatly by jurisdiction, type of warrant, and specific agreement.

Do warrants have a time limit?

Arrest and bench warrants generally do not expire and remain active indefinitely until served, resolved, or dismissed by a court, allowing for arrest at any time, even years later, though the underlying case may be affected by statutes of limitations; however, search warrants are short-lived, typically expiring in days (e.g., 10 days). Factors like the severity of the crime and state laws can influence how long they stay active, with felonies often leading to lifetime warrants, but consulting a lawyer is crucial for resolution. 

What is the exercise period for warrants?

Under Section 68 of the Companies Act 1965, the exercise period for warrants cannot exceed five years. Warrants with a life span of more than four and a half years will not be eligible for extension.

Do warrants have a vesting period?

Warrants can be immediately exercisable upon issuance or subject to a vesting schedule. Vesting schedules are commonly used when warrants are provided as incentives to strategic partners or investors committing to future performance milestones.

What happens if I don't exercise my warrants?

Warrants get called in order to force an exercise. Anyone who does not exercise their warrants will get zero. Anyone who is short the warrants (even assuming you can get a borrow on them), is liable. If those warrants get exercised by the holders, then anyone who is stupidly short them will have to deliver the stock.

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45 related questions found

How long can you run with a warrant?

Simply put, warrants never expire. However, suppose the criminal statute of limitations (SOL) has expired. In that case, you might be able to get the case dismissed for passing the time limitations. In California, the SOL for misdemeanors is generally one year from the time of the offense.

Is it better to exercise a warrant or sell it?

Because the warrant allows you to sell the stocks for more than you could on the secondary market, the warrant is in the money and makes sense to exercise. But if the stock's current market price was $35, it wouldn't make sense to exercise the warrant, since you could sell the shares for more elsewhere.

How long do warrants take to disappear?

An arrest warrant does not usually expire, even if law enforcement officers fail to execute an arrest. It is possible that the warrant can be recalled by the court, but this is rare. In most cases, unless the judge executing the warrant recalls it, the warrant could be around for decades.

What is a warrant period?

Warrant Period means the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier to occur of the date of the Warrant Exercise Closing Date or the date of termination of this Warrant in accordance with Section 8.1. View Source.

What does it mean to be 75% vested?

For example, let's say your employer-sponsored retirement account has $20,000 in it, and you are vested in 75% of the balance. This means that if you were to leave your job today, or if you were to withdraw money from your account, $15,000 of this amount would be available for your use.

Why would I buy warrants instead of stock?

Warrants can offer some protection during a bear market when the price of underlying shares begins to drop. The relatively lower-priced warrant may not realize as much loss as the actual share price. The exercise or strike price states the amount that must be paid to buy the call warrant or to sell the put warrant.

What is the 3-5-7 rule in stocks?

The 3-5-7 rule in stock trading is a risk management framework: never risk more than 3% of capital on one trade, keep total open position risk under 5%, and aim for at least a 7% profit on winning trades or a favorable risk-reward ratio, helping traders stay disciplined, preserve capital, and build consistency.
 

How does a warrant become inactive?

A warrant can be considered inactive if law enforcement is not actively seeking to serve it. This does not mean the warrant is canceled or expired. Inactive warrants remain in the system and can still be enforced at a later date.

Can warrant be canceled?

Yes, a warrant can be "dropped," recalled, or withdrawn, but it requires official action by a judge or court, usually by filing a motion, paying fines, resolving the underlying issue (like missing a court date), or turning yourself in, often with the help of an attorney to navigate the process and potentially arrange a bond or surrender. Warrants don't just expire; they must be officially canceled by the issuing court or authority.
 

Is there an expiration date on warrants?

In California, a misdemeanor arrest warrant stays active until it is cleared, the suspect is arrested, or they die. Essentially, warrants do not expire.

What are the three requirements of a valid warrant?

A valid warrant requires three core elements under the Fourth Amendment: probable cause (reliable facts showing a crime occurred and evidence exists), particularity (specific description of the place to search and items to seize), and issuance by a neutral and detached magistrate (an impartial judge) based on sworn testimony. These ensure searches are reasonable, not overly broad, and judicially approved, protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures.
 

What is the expiration date of warrants?

The expiration date, which marks the end of the term, is the date at which the warrant holder can no longer exercise the warrant for shares. Warrant holders typically want longer terms, so they can wait for the company to appreciate in value before making the decision to pay the exercise price.

How long will I go to jail for a warrant?

If you have a warrant, you'll generally be held in jail until you see a judge (often within 48-72 hours) who decides on bail or release, but the total time varies from a few days to months or longer, depending on the reason for the warrant (misdemeanor, felony, probation violation, failure to appear), the court's schedule, and your ability to post bail or comply with court orders, with serious cases potentially leading to detention until trial.
 

What is a warranty period?

A warranty period is the contractual timeframe when a manufacturer or seller legally promises to stand behind their product's quality and performance. It's your official claim window—the specific duration when you can report defects and expect free repair, replacement, or refund.

Can you pay off a warrant without going to jail?

No, You Cannot Simply Pay Off a Warrant.

It's natural to hope there might be a way to resolve a warrant without turning yourself in. 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.

Do cops look for you when you have a warrant?

Yes, police can and often will actively look for you if you have an active arrest warrant, coming to your home, workplace, or arresting you during routine stops, though the intensity of the search depends on the severity of the underlying charge, with serious crimes leading to more aggressive pursuit than minor offenses like failing to appear in traffic court. Warrants don't expire, allowing police to arrest you at any time. 

How to make a warrant go away?

The simplest way to get rid of a bench warrant in California is to call the court that issued the bench warrant or the local police, ask them what the warrant is for, and see if they will schedule you a new court date and drop the warrant.

Is it better to turn myself in if I have a warrant?

Yes, it is generally better to turn yourself in on a warrant because it shows respect for the law, gives you control over the timing, and often leads to more favorable treatment from judges, potentially resulting in an easier bail process and less public embarrassment than an unexpected arrest. However, you should always consult a criminal defense attorney first to understand the warrant's validity and arrange the surrender to protect your rights and streamline the process, possibly arranging for bond beforehand. 

What is the 7% sell rule?

The 7% sell rule is a risk management strategy in stock trading where you sell a stock if it drops 7% or more below your purchase price to cut losses quickly, popularized by William O'Neil's CAN SLIM system. It protects capital by preventing small losses from becoming large ones, enforces discipline, and is designed to exit losing trades before fundamental problems worsen, helping investors stay in the market for long-term gains, though it can be adjusted (e.g., 3-4% in bear markets).
 

What are the disadvantages of warrants?

Finally, warrants have an expiry date – and so a limited life. If the warrant expires out-of-the-money it will be worthless. Other risks relate to the underlying share or index over which the instrument is listed, as the warrant ultimately derives its value from that source.