What to do if you have a warrant in California?
Asked by: Juanita Hammes I | Last update: December 3, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (5 votes)
You must appear in Court on the scheduled date. If you do not, there will be a new warrant and you may have to pay additional penalties. Sometimes you can clear the warrant by forfeiting bail (paying the Court what you owe) without going to Court. For some warrants, you must go to Court.
What happens if you have a warrant in California?
If your failure to obey a court order is related to a felony, you must personally appear in court, with or without a lawyer, to clear the warrant. If you do not clear a bench warrant, it means police can then arrest you and bring you to court, where the judge can place you in custody or release you with a warning.
Do warrants in California ever go away?
In California, an arrest warrant for a misdemeanor offense will stay active until either the warrant is cleared, you are arrested, or you die. These warrants do not simply expire. However, if the criminal statute of limitations has expired, the case potentially can get dismissed as time-barred.
Can I fly out of California with a warrant?
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.
Will I get stopped at the airport if I have a warrant?
If you have an outstanding bench warrant, or an arrest warrant issued by a court, you may be detained or arrested at the airport.
What if I Have a Bench Warrant in California?
Do they check for warrants when applying for a passport?
As part of the passport application process, you will be asked to answer questions about outstanding legal issues, including outstanding warrants. The Department of State can refuse a passport application if a person has: An outstanding warrant for a federal felony. An outstanding state or local warrant for a felony.
How to clear a warrant in California?
You can typically clear or “quash” a bench warrant by appearing in court or possibly having a lawyer appear on your behalf. You can usually “quash” a bench warrant by appearing in court or a lawyer appearing for you. To successfully quash a bench warrant means the court will remove it from California's judicial system.
Can you leave the United States if you have a warrant?
Generally, TSA is not checking for warrants, but there is a small chance your name could be run against a database that flags the warrant. There is a much greater change it will be flagged when returning to the USA as Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will run a warrants check on all travelers upon their arrival.
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.
What to avoid 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.
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.
How long do you stay in jail for a bench warrant in California?
How long do you stay in jail for bench warrant? The duration of jail time for a bench warrant varies based on factors such as the nature of the underlying offense and local laws. You may be held until a hearing or until bail is posted, potentially lasting from a few hours to several days.
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.
Do police look for people with warrants?
In a surprising number of cases, they don't. Warrants for skipping court for not pursuing traffic tickets for example. They don't really bother to investigate enough to find you proactively. But when you get pulled over they'll run your information, find the warrant, then arrest you right then and there.
How long can California hold you for a out of state warrant?
The state that issued the extradition warrant will then have 21 days to pick up the person and bring them back to the home state. However the process to return a fugitive to the demanding state may take from 1-3 months.
Can I still fly if I have a warrant?
While it's technically possible to board a flight with an open arrest warrant without TSA interference, risks abound. From local police presence at airports to CBP checks during international travel, the potential for arrest is real. It's crucial to consult with a legal expert to understand your options and risks.
What states don't extradite for warrants?
Answer and Explanation: The states of Florida, Hawaii, and Alaska do not extradite for all crimes. However, even these states (along with the others) will extradite for serious crimes, such as murder.
Do airports check for warrants on international flights?
While domestic travelers may not be subject to routine warrant checks, international air travel often involves more stringent checks. If it is detected, the person with misdemeanor warrant may face legal consequences, including fines or potential arrest.
Do warrants expire in California?
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.
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.
Can customs see if you have a warrant?
Many travelers wonder if CBP is alerted when an inbound passenger has a warrant for their arrest issued. Yes, CBP is alerted. In the air passenger environment, air carriers transmit passenger information to CBP through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
How do I know if my passport is flagged?
Extended questioning can be a sign that you've been flagged for further inspection. Secondary Inspection: If you're directed to secondary inspection upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, it could indicate that you've been flagged for additional scrutiny.
Can I get a passport with a warrant?
Additional Charges that Can Lead to a Passport Denial
You may have outstanding traffic fines that won't affect your passport approval. However, your passport can be denied if you have an outstanding warrant for a local, state, or federal felony offense.