Los Angeles Bench Warrants

Los Angeles bench warrants are issued when someone fails to show up for court or breaks the rules of their release. The city is home to nearly four million people, and the LA County Superior Court handles all criminal cases for residents. If you have an active warrant or want to check for one, you will need to go through county resources since there is no city level court. Los Angeles Police Department can arrest you on any active warrant during a traffic stop or other contact. Checking your status early gives you more options to deal with the situation.

How Los Angeles Bench Warrants Work

A bench warrant in Los Angeles works like any other California bench warrant. Judges issue them when you miss court or break release terms. The warrant goes into law enforcement databases right away. LAPD officers can see it when they run your name. The same goes for any other police agency in California.

Los Angeles is huge. It has dozens of courthouses spread across the city and county. Your warrant will be tied to a specific courthouse based on where your case was filed. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown handles many cases, but there are branch courts in Van Nuys, Long Beach, Torrance, and other areas. When you deal with a warrant, you need to know which courthouse issued it. This matters for bail posting and court appearances. The Los Angeles Superior Court website can help you find your case if you have a case number or know your court date.

Felony warrants require you to go to court. Misdemeanor warrants give you more options.

LA County Superior Court Handles Warrants

Los Angeles does not have its own court. All criminal cases go through the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. This is the largest trial court in the United States. It handles over one million criminal cases each year. The main criminal courthouse is at 210 West Temple Street in downtown Los Angeles, but many cases are heard at branch locations throughout the county.

You can search for case information on the LA Superior Court Criminal Case Summary website. The search costs $4.75 per lookup. You will need a name or case number to search. The results show case status and any scheduled court dates, but the system does not specifically list active warrants. If you see "bench warrant" in your case notes, that means a warrant was issued. You can call the court at 213-628-7900 for help with your case.

The court offers felony only bench warrant walk-ins. You must arrive early in the morning. Same day court appearance is required.

Los Angeles Police Department

LAPD serves the city of Los Angeles. If you get stopped by LAPD, they can check for warrants and arrest you. The department does not provide warrant checks to the public over the phone. You cannot call and ask if you have a warrant. But if you turn yourself in at a police station, they will process you and tell you about any active warrants.

LAPD has over 9,000 sworn officers across 21 patrol divisions. Each division has a station where you can surrender on a warrant. The downtown central station is at 251 East 6th Street. When you turn yourself in, bring your ID and be ready to wait. Processing takes time. If your warrant has bail set, you may be able to post bail at the jail after booking. If there is no bail, you will stay in custody until you see a judge. Having a lawyer ready before you surrender is a good idea since they can meet you at the courthouse and argue for your release.

Note: LAPD does not confirm warrant status over the phone for privacy and safety reasons.

Clear a Los Angeles Bench Warrant

You have options to clear a bench warrant in Los Angeles. The right choice depends on your charges, bail amount, and personal situation. Acting fast is better than waiting. Warrants do not expire in California.

Posting bail works if your warrant has a dollar amount set. You can post cash bail at the courthouse or use a bail bondsman. When you post bail, you get a new court date. Show up for that date or you will get another warrant. Some traffic warrants allow post and forfeit where you pay the fine and close the case without appearing. The clerk can tell you if this applies to your case. Call the court and ask about your options before heading down there.

Turning yourself in is always an option. You can go to any police station or the county jail. Tell them you have a warrant and they will book you. For misdemeanors, you might get cited out the same day with a new court date. Felonies require a court appearance first. The Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown LA is the main booking location. Expect the process to take several hours at minimum. Bring your ID and nothing else of value since your belongings get stored during booking.

Having a lawyer appear for you works on some misdemeanor cases. Under California law, your attorney can appear in court on your behalf and ask the judge to recall the warrant. The judge may set a new date and let you stay out of custody. This does not work for felonies. For felony warrants, you must appear in person. Many people hire an attorney to be present when they surrender so someone can advocate for them right away.

Nearby Cities in LA County

Many cities surround Los Angeles. They all use the same county court system, but police departments vary. Some cities have their own police while others contract with the LA County Sheriff. If you live in one of these cities, your warrant still goes through LA County Superior Court. Here are some major nearby cities with their own pages on our site.

Long Beach is the second largest city in the county with its own police department. Glendale sits north of downtown and has Glendale PD. Pasadena is another independent city with its own police force. Torrance covers the South Bay area. Burbank is home to major studios and its own police. Cities like Santa Clarita, Lancaster, and Palmdale contract with LA County Sheriff for police services.