vyfxdotcom
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey
Long story short, last year I had a bench warrant out for my arrest for missing a court date to contest a $36 ticket. I couldn't make the court date due to a work emergency and realized when I called the court to pay my ticket that a bench warrant was issued for my arrest. I immediately went to the court to pay a "bail waiver" in the amount of $136 and was a free man.
My question is, do police officers have to arrest someone for absolutely every warrant regardless of the amount? I understand warrants for things like murder, child support or robbery are serious and the cop would obviously take the person in.. but what about this warrant? Failure to notify of change of address.. Could they have let me go if I had been stopped? I would imagine the cost involved in arresting me would have far exceeded the $136 owed.
When listening to police scanners I always hear cops ask about the amount of a warrant, but I don't know if they're determining whether it is worth issuing an arrest or if they are just getting the amount for their report..
Any ideas? Thanks.
Long story short, last year I had a bench warrant out for my arrest for missing a court date to contest a $36 ticket. I couldn't make the court date due to a work emergency and realized when I called the court to pay my ticket that a bench warrant was issued for my arrest. I immediately went to the court to pay a "bail waiver" in the amount of $136 and was a free man.
My question is, do police officers have to arrest someone for absolutely every warrant regardless of the amount? I understand warrants for things like murder, child support or robbery are serious and the cop would obviously take the person in.. but what about this warrant? Failure to notify of change of address.. Could they have let me go if I had been stopped? I would imagine the cost involved in arresting me would have far exceeded the $136 owed.
When listening to police scanners I always hear cops ask about the amount of a warrant, but I don't know if they're determining whether it is worth issuing an arrest or if they are just getting the amount for their report..
Any ideas? Thanks.