If you have an outstanding warrant, it can be very difficult to live your life normally. You may feel like you’re constantly looking over your shoulder, and you may not be able to take advantage of opportunities because of your warrant. Understanding the Statute of Limitations on warrants may help you make the right decision.

Tennessee Statute of Limitations on Warrants

There are four main types of warrants—active arrest warrants, outstanding warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants.

These may be issued for various reasons, which include:

  • Failure to appear in court
  • Failure to pay a fine
  • Failure to comply with the terms of probation
  • Probable cause has been established
  • Failure to pay child support as ordered by the court

When a warrant of arrest is issued, police have 10 days to carry it out. However, an unsuccessful arrest doesn’t mean that the person is off the hook. Warrants (other than search warrants) have a long shelf life.

It’s honestly not uncommon for people to discover that they have an outstanding warrant years after a warrant for their arrest has been issued.

Imagine applying for a job, getting a background check, and finding out that you have a warrant for your arrest. Although rare, this kind of thing happens to people from time to time.

It’s also possible that someone could trigger an arrest warrant while renewing their driver’s license or while being pulled over for a traffic stop.

 

More about Statute of Limitations for Tennessee Warrants

Warrants in Tennessee have a statute of limitations as stated in Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-206.

This means that if a warrant is not served, returned, or quashed within five years from the date of its issuance, it will expire and be removed from the records.

Please keep in mind that this provision only applies to misdemeanor cases. 

Warrants for felony cases last indefinitely.

 

Statute of Limitations for Bench Warrants

In Tennessee, bench warrants do not expire. Once a bench warrant is issued, the police may find you and bring you to court anytime.

Bench warrants are issued by judges for failure to appear in court.

 

Statute of Limitations for Felony Arrest Warrants

In Tennessee, there is no limit to when a felony warrant can be issued AFTER a crime has taken place…as long the crime is punishable by life imprisonment or death.

In other words, if someone commits capital murder but doesn’t become a suspect for 30 years, the state can still issue a warrant.

For Class A Felony charges, the statute of limitations is set at 15 years.

For Class B Felony charges, the statute of limitations is set at 8 years.

Again, these time frames refer to the amount of time the prosecution can file charges and request that an arrest warrant be made.

 

What to do When You Have an Active Arrest Warrant?

If you have an active arrest warrant, there are a few options available to you.

(1) You can turn yourself in to the authorities without first hiring an attorney and await your court date. (2) You can hire an attorney first and then turn yourself into the authorities. (3) Or you can do either of these, while also contacting a bail bond company.

While we personally recommend contacting an attorney before turning yourself in, the best course of action will vary depending on your situation.

One potential benefit of hiring an attorney is that you may be able to get your warrant lifted or, if you’re arrested and have to go to jail, to get released on your Own Recognizance—meaning you can get out of jail for free.

Securing the help of a bail bond company is also very important since they will post bond on your behalf and help keep you accountable, ensuring that you appear in court.

If you need a bail bond company to help you get a fast and affordable bail bond, call us today. We’ve been helping people get bail bonds in Memphis for years and would love to hear from you!