Q: Can a warrant for arrest be issued for a property code violation in Wisconsin?
In early 2016 unknown to me I was issued a citation (apparently mailed to me) for peeling paint on my windows. Early this month I called police for a car accident I was involved in municipality B. After running my driver's license, the police officer told me I had a warrant for my arrest due to the peeling paint citation in municipality A. The officer said he never saw this in his 20 plus years of policing. Anyway, after arguing with municipality A (they wanted me arrested and brought to their city immediately), the officer just had me sign a personal recognizance bond and told me to address the citation in lieu of taking me in. He said municipality A really wanted me but that he had much better things to do than arrest someone for peeling paint on their windows (thank God). Anyway, is this normal to get an arrest warrant for a property citation? I have since paid the citation but it seems very strange to arrest someone for this "crime". Thank you!
A: Municipalities issue arrest warrants when fines are not paid. That is legal in Wisconsin and many other States.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
