bench warrant

noun

: a warrant issued by a presiding judge or by a court against a person guilty of contempt or indicted for a crime

Examples of bench warrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Jackson subsequently missed a Thursday court date on those weapons charges, prompting Alameda County Judge Elena Condes to issue a $110,000 bench warrant for his arrest, according to court records. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 Sweeney and his wife were arrested following the auction on an outstanding bench warrant for contempt of court in the civil trial after refusing the judge’s orders to undo the levy work and pay the fine, Sweeney said in a phone interview. Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025 When Caudill didn’t show up, the judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest, court records show. Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025 Gao had been released from custody in both matters, but failed to show up in court, resulting in bench warrants being issued for her arrest. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bench warrant

Word History

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bench warrant was in 1680

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Cite this Entry

“Bench warrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bench%20warrant. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

bench warrant

see warrant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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