If you’re not familiar with the legal system (and let’s face it, most people aren’t), it helps to know exactly what a bench warrant is, and what it isn’t. Bench warrants are the most common warrants issued. A judge issues bench warrants “from the bench” – hence the name. A bench warrant is not the same thing as a criminal arrest warrant, which a judge issues when someone is suspected of criminal activity, such as robbery, burglary, assault, etc. Judges typically issue bench warrants for a number of reasons, including: Failure to appear in court Failure to obey another court order (such as failure to pay court-ordered child support) Failure to pay a fine (including speeding tickets) Probation violation If you are having trouble with transportation or illness and you might have trouble appearing in court, if you are having trouble paying child support and need to renegotiate terms, if your financial circumstances have changed and you are having trouble paying a fine, or if you’re having trouble meeting the terms of your probation, consult with an attorney to make changes. Don’t just ignore the court order or just fail to show up in court.