Many people think that if they have an active warrant in Philadelphia, they can just wait it out. They believe that if they stay out of trouble long enough, the warrant will expire. They think the police will eventually forget about it.
Unfortunately, that is a big mistake. Warrants in Pennsylvania never expire. They do not just disappear over time. If you have an active warrant, ignoring it will only make things worse.
Here is what you need to know about how warrants work in Philadelphia. Learn how they are tracked and how you can safely resolve them.
The Two Types of Warrants in Philadelphia
To handle a warrant, you first need to know what kind of warrant it is. In Pennsylvania, there are two main types of criminal warrants. They are issued for very different reasons.
What is an Arrest Warrant?
An arrest warrant is issued when police believe you committed a new crime. To get this warrant, the police must write down the evidence against you. They show this evidence to a local judge. If the judge agrees there is enough proof, they sign the arrest warrant. Once signed, the police will actively look for you to arrest you.
What is a Bench Warrant?
A bench warrant is different. It is not about a new crime. Instead, a judge issues it directly “from the bench” because you did not follow a court order. The most common reasons for a bench warrant include:
- Missing your scheduled court date in Philadelphia
- Violating your probation or parole rules
- Ignoring a court order to show up as a witness
- Failing to pay court fines or child support
A bench warrant orders any police officer who stops you to arrest you on the spot.
The Big Myth: Do Warrants Ever Expire?
Some people believe there is a time limit on warrants. This is not true. While there are time limits for prosecutors to file a case, once a judge signs a warrant, it stays active forever. It does not matter if it has been five months or fifteen years. An active warrant remains on your record until a judge formally takes it away.
How Police in Philly Track Active Warrants
You cannot easily hide from a warrant in today’s digital world. When a judge in Philadelphia signs a warrant, the information goes into two major databases:
- The CLEAN System: This is Pennsylvania’s statewide police network. If a police officer pulls you over for a minor traffic issue anywhere in PA, they will run your name. The CLEAN system will instantly show them your warrant, and they will arrest you.
- The NCIC Database: This national system shares warrant info across all fifty states. If you leave Pennsylvania, police in another state can still arrest you on a PA warrant and send you back.
An active warrant means you live with the constant fear of being arrested. It can happen during a traffic stop, at an airport, or even during a simple background check for a job.
The Safe Way to Handle a Warrant in Philadelphia
If you have an active warrant, ignoring it is a dangerous choice. The police could arrest you at any time. When that happens, you have no control over the situation. It is much safer to handle the warrant proactively.
The Truth About Handling Warrants Over the Phone
Some people think a lawyer can just call the courthouse and make a warrant disappear. Or they think they can do a quick Zoom call to fix it. In almost all cases, this is not true. Under Pennsylvania law, you must turn yourself in to address the warrant. The judge wants to see you in person to hear your explanation before they decide what to do.
Why Turning Yourself In With a Lawyer is Your Best Option
You have two choices for how you face the court. You can wait to get arrested unexpectedly, or you can turn yourself in voluntarily with an attorney. Turning yourself in is always the better choice.
- Voluntary Surrender: When you turn yourself in, the court sees that you respect the law. Your lawyer can set up a specific time for you to walk into the courthouse. Your lawyer can have a judge ready to hear your case right away at the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Center City. They can explain why you missed court and ask the judge to release you without paying high bail. Often, we can get you released the very same day.
- Unexpected Arrest: If the police arrest you on the street, you will go straight to jail. You will have to wait until a judge is free. The prosecutor will argue that you ran from the law, and the judge will likely set a very high bail or keep you in jail.
Philadelphia’s 72-Hour Rule for Bench Warrants
If you are arrested on a bench warrant, Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 150 protects your rights. It says the court must hold a hearing within 72 hours of your arrest. In Philadelphia, this hearing will usually happen at the Stout Center. If they fail to hold this hearing in time, the warrant expires, and you must be released.
However, this rule only helps you after you are already in custody. While you are free, the warrant stays active, and you can be arrested at any time.
Can a Warrant Be Lifted Without Surrendering?
There are very rare cases where a warrant can be lifted without you going to court. This might happen if there was a clear clerical error by the court, or if you had a major medical emergency that was completely out of your control. An attorney can check the official court records to see if your case qualifies for these rare exceptions.
Why You Need a Local Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer
Going to court to resolve a warrant is scary, but you do not have to do it alone. A local defense lawyer who knows the Philadelphia court system can guide you every step of the way.
An experienced attorney can:
- Find out exactly why the warrant was issued and what bail conditions exist.
- File a motion to quash (lift) the warrant.
- Set up a safe and fast surrender process to minimize your time in jail.
- Argue passionately to the judge to keep you free or get your bail lowered.
If you have an active warrant, do not wait for the police to find you. Take control of your life, protect your freedom, and get peace of mind.
This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case and warrant is different.