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BENCH WARRANTS

WHAT IS A BENCH WARRANT OR CONTEMPT OF COURT?

The traffic citation or summons issued by the police officer has the first appearance/arraignment date listed at the bottom. You must take action or appear on or before this date. If you fail to appear or take action, you may be held in contempt of Court and assessed additional costs/fee(s).

In addition, the following may occur:

  • A Warrant/Attachment may be issued for your arrest.

  • The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles may suspend your driver’s license.

  • You may be subject to other action, and additional costs/fees may be assessed. 

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If you missed your date, you should appear at the Court immediately to address your case.

YOU HAVE A BENCH WARRANT, NOW WHAT?

Warrants CANNOT be resolved online or over the phone.  You or your attorney of record MUST appear in person at the Zachary Clerk of Court Traffic Violation Bureau, located in the lobby of the court complex. Your physical presence is crucial in this matter.

If you wish to contest the ticket or dispute the warrant, you must appear at the Clerk of Court.  The warrant will be recalled, and you will be assigned a new court date.


IF THIS IS THE FIRST BENCH WARRANT ISSUED ON YOUR CASE:



(IF) your citation is mandatory in court. You may appear in person, and your warrant will be recalled. You will also be given a new court date to address your citation and a bench warrant.

(IF) your citation is a payable ticket; you may plead guilty to the Contempt of Court (Bench Warrant) by signing the Contempt Waiver Form in person..

• The defendant will be fined $100.00 in addition to the fine amount.
• The defendant can then plead guilty to the payable ticket.
• The defendant is not required to make any payments.
• The defendant will be given a payment due date.
• If eligible defendant may then enroll in the courts 892.1 Defensive Driving Program.

(IF) you previously plead to the underlying charge (whether misdemeanor or traffic offense) and are scheduled for a Contempt of Court Hearing for Failure to Appear at a payment due date; the defendant can plead guilty to the Contempt of Court by signing the Contempt Waiver Form..

• The defendant will be fined $100.00.
• The defendant MUST pay a minimum of $100.00
• The defendant will be given a payment due date on the middle Wednesday of the following month.

(IF) defendant cannot pay $100.00, they must go to Court.

IF THIS IS THE SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT BENCH WARRANT ON YOUR CASE:

(IF) your citation is a payable and does not require a court-mandatory appearance.

OR

(IF) the defendant is scheduled for multiple Contempt of Court Hearings for Failure to Appear for Arraignment on a Payable Ticket; the defendant can plead guilty to each Contempt by signing the Contempt Waiver Form.

• The defendant will be fined $100.00 per Contempt.
• The defendant can then plead guilty to the payable ticket.
• The defendant MUST MAKE ALL PAYMENTS IMMEDIATELY.
• If eligible, defendant may then enroll in the courts 892.1 Defensive Driving Program.

(IF)the defendant previously pled guilty to the underlying charge (whether misdemeanor or traffic offense) and is scheduled for multiple Contempt of Court Hearings for Failure to Appear at a payment due date, the defendant can plead guilty to each Contempt by signing the Contempt Waiver Form for each Contempt.

• The defendant will be fined $100.00 per Contempt.

• The defendant MUST MAKE ALL PAYMENTS IMMEDIATELY.

(IF) the defendant cannot pay the account balance in its entirety, the defendant must appear in court.

search faq's for more information about court policies aNd procedures.

CHECK IF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED
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