What is a bench warrant, and what can I do if I have one?
If you have a bench warrant, you need to contact your attorney as soon as possible.

A bench warrant is issued by a judge when a person with a pending criminal case violates the rules of the court. Sometimes a warrant is issued for violating pre-trial release conditions. Most often, people with bench warrants simply have failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance. Once a bench warrant is issued, the police can treat it like any other warrant and use it to arrest people and keep them in jail, until the appear back in front of a judge.

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1. Are public defenders “real lawyers”?
2. Since you’re paid by the government the same as prosecutors, aren’t you just working together?
3. Can I call or drop by the Whatcom County Public Defender Office for some quick legal advice?
4. What is an arraignment?
5. What is a status or omnibus hearing?
6. What happens in a trial?
7. What happens in a sentencing hearing?
8. What is a bench warrant, and what can I do if I have one?
9. Why hasn’t my public defender gotten my case dropped?
10. If I have a problem with my court-appointed lawyer, how do I complain?
11. What can I do to help out my case?
12. How do I get my record vacated/sealed?