discretionary bench warrant

When you miss a court date the court might order a special kind of warrant called a discretionary bench warrant. With a discretionary bench warrant, the court adjourns your case without ordering a bench warrant for your arrest. They will set a new date for your case. If a discretionary bench warrant is ordered, the police will not arrest you, but if you fail to show up on the new date, the discretionary bench warrant will usually become a full bench warrant and you may be arrested.