What is the difference between a bench warrant and a warrant?
A judge typically issues a bench warrant when a defendant fails to appear for court. Once someone has a bench warrant, they can be arrested upon contact with law enforcement and are also subject to arrest by a bounty hunter if they sign a contract with a bail bondsman.
Bench warrants can also be issued for other court violations like not paying a ticket, violating probation, not appearing for jury service, and failing to pay child support.