Expert: Robin Sexton - 8/3/2009

Question
I live in Missouri and I have 4 bench warrants for failure to appear in court for speeding tickets. Men have come to my house a couple of times and knocked on the door and side door and I am 90% sure they're police officers here to take me in for my warrants. This means they are pursuing the warrants but in the past they stop after a couple failed attempts to get me to answer the door. I am planning to move to Florida in a matter of months. When I move are the warrants still active in Florida? What is the likelihood that I will be taken into custody and transferred back to Missouri for the warrants? They are all misdemeanor charges and failure to appear in courts. I would turn myself in and pay the fines but I have absolutely no money. I lost my job a couple months ago and maybe that's a good thing because the letter I got in the mail said they could look for me at my job or place of residence. I went to Traffic Law Center and paid them to take care of 2 of the warrants but after their fees I was not able to come up with the money for the fines in the limited amount of time and they have reverted to warrants. I would GREATLY appreciate any and all advice and information you could give me on the matter. Thanks you very much!

Answer
Sam,

Bench warrants for misdemeanors and civil infractions do not normally cross state lines.  The warrants will stay active in the issuing state for as long as they determine it is necessary.  could be several years. Misdemeanor and civil infractions are not entered into the national data base.  One issue is that Missouri will probably suspend your driving privilege.  If that happens then if you are caught driving in another state you could be arrested for no drivers license.  Because of reciprocity laws you probably won't be able to obtain a drivers license in another state either.

Hope this helps and good luck


robin