What type of warrants could be on my record?

Below is a brief overview of different types of warrants that could show up on a record:

Arrest Warrant: An arrest warrant is issued after a grand jury or law enforcement officials have probable cause to suspect that you have committed a crime. Probable cause requires the knowledge of facts that would lead to a reasonable belief or strong suspicion that you committed a crime.[2968]  A judge will issue an arrest warrant for you if the judge determines a crime has been committed and that “there is reasonable ground to believe” that you committed the crime.[2969]

Bench Warrant: A bench warrant is issued for failing to obey a court order, such as failing to appear for a court hearing or failing to answer a subpoena. A bench warrant can be issued for the following reasons:

    Failure to pay a fine;
    Failure to appear after an indictment on criminal charges where the court has a fixed date and place for an appearance by the defendant;
    Failure to appear in court after an attorney and judge personally order the defendant to appear;
    Failure to appear in court and show proof of enrollment, progress or completion of community service or other alternative sentencing; and
    Failure to appear (FTA) in court after citation by police officer.

A bench warrant gives police the authority to arrest you at any time, but usually doesn’t trigger immediate police action. When a bench warrant is issued against you, your name will go into a statewide computer system that is accessible to the entire law enforcement community. Please note that in serious criminal cases, a failure to appear will most likely cause the court to issue a “regular” arrest warrant; this means the police may immediately try to find and arrest you.

Parole Warrant: A parole warrant can be issued if you violate the terms of your parole, including failure to meet your parole agent. If a parole warrant has been issued against you and you're considered a potential threat to public safety, the California Parole Apprehension Team will be sent to find you.

Not all parole violations lead to revocation of parole. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has developed a Parole Violation Decision Making Instrument to help parole agents determine whether parole should be revoked or not. If the agent recommends that your parole should be revoked, a parole warrant can be issued.

  1. 2968

    People v. Hillery (1967) 65 Cal.2d 795, 803.

  2. 2969

    Cal. Pen. Code § 813(a)