Does a Misdemeanor Warrant Expire?
Published February 4th, 2020
An arrest warrant is something that needs to be taken care of seriously. Some people tend to ignore the order from the court, thinking that it will go away eventually. But, a warrant is something that you need to take action as soon as you’ve heard of it to avoid having penalties.
Does A Warrant Expire?
Although it may vary from state-to-state, a misdemeanor warrant is only valid for six months. In some states, a misdemeanor warrant can be valid for up to one year.
However, even if a misdemeanor warrant can expire, it can be re-issued with a simple request. Once reinstated, the order will be valid again for the next six months. So, waiting for a misdemeanor warrant isn’t really going to work out.
For a felony warrant, there’s no expiration for this. Even if it is from five years, ten years, or twenty years ago, it can, and it will haunt you until you do something about it.
ADVERTISEMENT
What If You Are Not Aware That There Is A Warrant Issued Against You?
Yes, it happens. Sometimes, you can only be aware that you have a warrant once you come across with a police officer.
For example, an officer pulled you over for a speeding ticket. There’s a chance that they will run through your license to see if you have an outstanding warrant. From there, they can arrest you if the order is still valid.
What Can You Do About It?
There are two available options for you. First, you can live your life anxiously, sleep with one eye open, and wait until a police officer arrests you.
Or, you can seek help from a lawyer to know what steps you should follow. Doing the first option is never a good idea. Ignoring the charges against you will only make things worse and will only make you a fugitive.
Disclaimer: this article does not in any way claim to offer professional legal advice and the reader should consult a licensed attorney for more accurate information regarding this matter if needed.
Reduce Your Jail Call Costs By Up To 90% Per Minute With GlobalTel
GlobalTel’s inmate calling service lowers jail call per minute rates by up to 90% for jail calls from US facilities. Sign up now and use the special jail call phone number we create for you to eliminate the long distance jail call fees. Try GlobalTel for only $45.99 for 90 days. Make US/domestic and international jail calls at the local rate and stay connected to your incarcerated loved ones for less. Learn more about how to sign up for calls from inmates here.
This Content Is Fact Checked
Our esteemed team of specialists has thoroughly validated the accuracy of this information. Discover further details about the rigorous editorial guidelines for our website here.
ADVERTISEMENT
About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the GlobalTel blog. She works hard to ensure her work contains accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources and doesn’t settle for less. Her passion for telling stories about true crime and criminal justice has allowed her to create hundreds of articles that have benefited millions of people.
