questions & answers

Question: I would like to know what the statute of limitations is ,if there is one, regarding a warrant for possession of narcotic manufacturing equip that was issued on me feb 2008. Does that warrant expire since I had moved out of AZ seven months before it went tO court without my knowledge

Answer: This is general information. For specific instructions in how to handle your case please see an attorney. Depending on the actual charge and type of warrant the scenario could vary. There are no statutes of limitation on a bench warrant. The warrant will remain in place until the judge quashes the warrant. In order to have a warrant quashed a defendant must appear in court before the judge that issued the warrant and ask that it be quashed. A defendant may want to check to see if a bond was set and be prepared to post the bond in the event the judge decides to take the defendant into custody. A statute of limitation is a law which keeps prosecutors from charging a person with a crime that was happened years ago. The purpose of statute of limitation is to make sure convictions happen only with evidence that has not faded with time. After statute time runs out, the criminal is essentially free. Statutes of limitation usually need the criminal to remain in the state, usefully employed and visible. If during this time, the criminal was living in the open and could be caught but was not. According to the statute of limitations, society believes that the criminal should be able to live free from the possibility of being caught. Not all crimes have statutes of limitation. In Arizona crimes involving public money or public records have no statutes of limitation. The states classify felonies by category for limitations. Therefore, in order to know the limitation on your specific charge or warrant. You would need to contact an attorney.