Types of Arrest Warrants in Alberta — And What They Mean for You
Hearing the words “there is a warrant out for your arrest” is scary — but not all warrants are the same. In Alberta, there are several types, and understanding which one applies to you can make a big difference in how you handle it.
1. Bench Warrants (Missing Court)
The most common type. If you miss a scheduled court date, a judge can issue a Bench Warrant, allowing police to arrest you immediately. It doesn’t matter why you missed — the court treats these seriously. This is another reason why it is imperative that you hire a lawyer - otherwise you must appear at each of your court appearances yourself, or possibly instruct someone to appear for you (which is not advisable) to address the Court. We often hear that people “tried to call” or “spoke to someone and told them” - this is not good enough. The Court will issue a warrant absent the appearance, and in these instances, you will be charged with Failing to Appear for Court, which is another criminal charge you will have to deal with and pay for. Unless you can establish a lawful excuse, there is little way around a conviction for these charges. They are completely avoidable, and getting a lawyer to prevent it from happening is very important.
2. Arrest Warrants
Issued when police have reasonable grounds to believe you committed a crime but haven not yet been arrested. Once issued, police can detain you anywhere, including during routine traffic stops.
3. Surety Warrants
If you are out on bail and your surety (the person who signed to supervise you) withdraws, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest until new bail terms are arranged.
4. Telewarrants
A telewarrant is issued remotely, often used when police need quick authorization to act, even outside normal court hours.
5. Why It Matters
Each warrant type has different implications. For example:
Bench warrants can often be resolved by appearing in court with a lawyer.
Arrest warrants should include a plan for controlled surrender through legal guidance.
Surety-related warrants may involve renegotiating bail.
📞 If you’re worried about a warrant, Patmore Defence can help — 24/7: 403-909-4822
🌐 www.patmoredefence.com