Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

You usually can’t just pay off a misdemeanor warrant to make it go away, but you can often resolve it by posting bail or appearing in court. A misdemeanor warrant is a legal order for your arrest, and until it’s cleared, law enforcement can take you into custody at any time. The proper steps depend on what kind of warrant it is and the charges involved.

Types of Misdemeanor Warrants

There are two main types of warrants in misdemeanor cases,

• Bench warrant – Issued when you fail to appear in court, miss a payment, or violate probation.
• Arrest warrant – Issued when police or prosecutors file new charges against you for a misdemeanor crime.

Both must be addressed directly through the court. Ignoring them can lead to arrest during traffic stops, at home, or even at work.

Paying to Clear a Warrant

If your misdemeanor warrant is for failure to pay fines or court costs, you may be able to pay those amounts to the clerk’s office before being arrested. In other cases, you’ll need to appear before a judge first. Some courts allow you to post cash bail or use a bail bondsman to secure release while waiting for a new hearing.

• If the warrant lists a bond amount, you can pay that amount to the court to clear the warrant and get a new court date.
• If it’s a no-bond warrant, you’ll need to appear before a judge for them to decide if bail will be allowed.

Turning Yourself In

In most cases, the best way to handle a misdemeanor warrant is to turn yourself in voluntarily preferably with an attorney. Turning yourself in shows good faith, which can help you avoid spending unnecessary time in jail and may lead to a lower bond or lenient treatment.

What Happens After You Pay or Appear

Once the warrant is cleared by payment, posting bond, or a court appearance, you’ll be given a new court date. If you were arrested, you might be released shortly after posting bail or signing a promise to appear.

You can’t usually “pay off” a misdemeanor warrant without going through the court. If a bond is listed, you can pay that amount to get the warrant lifted. Otherwise, you must appear before a judge, ideally with an attorney to resolve it legally and avoid arrest.