If You Have a Warrant, Can You Just Pay It? What to Know

January 13, 2024

If you have reason to believe you have an active warrant, you understandably want to know what your options are for dealing with the warrant. For example, if you have a warrant can you just pay it? Will you be required to go to a court hearing or be arrested if you have an active warrant? Because every situation involving a warrant is unique, your best bet is to consult with an experienced Las Vegas criminal defense attorney. In the meantime, however, it helps to learn more about your legal options when you have an active warrant.

Bench Warrant vs. Arrest Warrant?

There are two types of warrants that could be issued: a bench warrant or an arrest warrant. A bench warrant is issued when a judge believes you violated an order of the court, while an arrest warrant is issued when a judge is convinced there is sufficient probable cause to believe you committed a criminal offense.

Can I Just Pay a Warrant?

Unfortunately, it is rarely as simple as “paying” a warrant if you want the warrant to go away. You may, however, need to pay a fine, court costs, child support, or another court-ordered financial obligation as part of the process of getting a bench warrant quashed. It is important to understand though that even if you fulfill the financial obligation, a bench warrant does not automatically go away. A motion must be filed with the appropriate court asking the court to quash (get rid of) the warrant. The court may rule on the motion without a hearing or may require you to appear at a hearing before deciding whether to quash the warrant. To ensure that a bench warrant has been officially quashed, it is best to work with an experienced attorney.

If the warrant is an arrest warrant, you cannot pay to have it recalled. Moreover, an arrest warrant is not based on a financial obligation. The only way to get an active arrest warrant dealt with is to turn yourself into the police or work with an experienced criminal defense attorney and arrange for you to go through the official steps involved in being arrested and processed. Your attorney may be able to make the process less stressful and be able to move the process along faster.

How Do I Know How Much to Pay and Who to Pay If I Have a Bench Warrant?

Another important reason to work with an attorney when you have a bench warrant is to ensure that you understand exactly how much money you owe and who you owe. For example, if you are behind on child support, you likely need to pay the Clerk’s office (not the child’s parent) and you should get a current arrearage report before making any payments to find out exactly how far behind you are. Likewise, if you owe court fines or fees, you need to make sure you know how much you owe to avoid making a payment that fails to result in resolving the basis of the warrant.

What Should I Do about a Las Vegas Warrant?

If you have reason to believe that you have an active warrant, consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney at The Vegas Lawyers as soon as possible. We can check on the warrant and discuss your legal options with you. Before trying to pay off a Las Vegas warrant, call us at 702-707-7000 or contact us online.