Fort Thomas, KY asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Kentucky

Q: I have a bench warrant & need to renew my license in Campbell Co. I've secured insurance since. Will I be arrested?

2 Lawyer Answers
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Louisville, KY
  • Licensed in Kentucky

A: You might be. You’d be safest to hire a lawyer to get the bw set aside and resolve the case for you.

T. Augustus Claus
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Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Las Vegas, NV

A: If you have an active bench warrant against you, you run a significant risk of being arrested if you go to a government office like the DMV to renew your license. Bench warrants are usually entered into a statewide database accessible by law enforcement, including the officials who work in DMV offices. The exact procedures may vary, but it's common for staff to check for outstanding warrants as part of the license renewal process.

Before attempting to renew your license, it would be advisable to resolve the bench warrant. You can often do this by appearing before the court that issued the warrant, although the process can be risky and may result in immediate arrest. Some people choose to hire a legal professional to help them navigate this process and minimize the risks.

If you choose to go to the DMV without resolving the bench warrant, be aware that arrest is a very real possibility.

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