Bail Questions • Warrants and Jail Time • Arizona
What Is a Felony Warrant?
A felony warrant is an arrest warrant issued by a judge for a felony charge, or a bench warrant issued in a pending felony case.
Quick answer
A felony warrant is an arrest warrant issued by a judge for a felony charge, or a bench warrant issued in a pending felony case. In Arizona it is entered in state and national databases, so it follows the person across state lines and supports extradition. Bail is often set on the warrant itself.
How a felony warrant differs from a misdemeanor warrant
The document looks the same. The difference is reach. A felony warrant is entered not only in Arizona law enforcement databases but in the national system, so an officer in any state who runs the person's name sees it. Arizona can then seek extradition to bring the person back. A misdemeanor bench warrant is usually entered only in state databases and is rarely extradited.
Felony warrants also get more attention. Detectives actively serve warrants on serious charges rather than waiting for a traffic stop. Courts set higher bonds on them, and judges are less willing to quash one without the person in custody first. For a felony case that is already pending, missing court produces a felony bench warrant plus possible exposure to a new failure to appear charge under A.R.S. 13-2506, a class 5 felony. See felony bail bonds for how those cases are handled.
Bail on a felony warrant
When a judge signs a felony arrest warrant, the judge often sets a bond amount at the same time, so the person can be released after booking without waiting for a separate hearing. On a felony bench warrant, the issuing judge sets a bond that commonly tracks the original bond and is sometimes higher, or marks it cash only or no bond because the person already missed once.
Amounts follow the charge. Lower felonies often run a few thousand to $25,000. Aggravated assault commonly runs from several thousand to well over $50,000, and sale-quantity drug or weapons cases can be $50,000 or more. Serious felonies run into the hundreds of thousands. Whatever the number, the premium on a surety bond is typically 10%, so a $25,000 warrant bond costs about $2,500. Payment plans are available to qualified cosigners, and bonds under about $25,000 are often written on a signature with no collateral.
Turning yourself in on a felony warrant
The worst way to resolve a felony warrant is to be found. An unplanned arrest means booking at whatever facility is nearest, transfer to the 4th Avenue Jail, an initial appearance within 24 hours, and often a weekend inside before anyone can act. The planned version is far shorter. A licensed bail agent confirms the warrant and the bond, signs the cosigner electronically, and coordinates a surrender with the bond already arranged.
If the warrant says no bond, a defense attorney must ask the court to set one, usually in a hearing after surrender. If it says cash only, the attorney can ask for modification to a surety bond. We tell families which situation they are in before anyone walks into a jail. Our warrant bail bonds page covers each scenario.
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A licensed agent answers any hour, confirms the custody location and bail amount, and posts the bond while you stay home.
Related Questions
Do felony warrants expire?
No. A felony warrant stays active until the person is arrested, surrenders, or a judge recalls it. Years can pass and the warrant remains in state and national databases. Some charges have statutes of limitations, but once a warrant issues the clock question is one for a defense attorney.
Can you be extradited on a felony warrant?
Yes. Because felony warrants are entered nationally, a person arrested in another state can be held there while Arizona arranges extradition. The decision to extradite rests with the prosecutor. Rules in other states differ, and we handle Arizona state and county cases only.
How much is bail on a felony warrant in Arizona?
The issuing judge sets it case by case. Lower felonies often carry a few thousand to $25,000; violent, weapons and sale-quantity drug cases carry more; serious felonies can be $100,000 or higher. The premium on a surety bond is typically 10% of that amount.
Can a felony warrant be quashed without going to jail?
Sometimes. A defense attorney can file a motion asking the judge to quash the warrant and set a court date, and some judges grant it, especially on bench warrants with a documented reason. On serious charges the court usually requires surrender first. A bail agency does not give legal advice.
Can a bail bondsman post a felony warrant bond before I turn in?
The bond is arranged before and posted at surrender. The agent confirms the amount, completes paperwork electronically, and posts the bond at the 4th Avenue Jail Bond and Fine Room once the person is booked, so release follows within hours. Call One Stop Bail Bonds any hour and an agent will walk you through it.