Got a Warrant in Seattle Municipal Court? – How Do I Set A Hearing Without Being Arrested?

In Seattle Municipal Court, if the Warrant amount is less than $10,000 you can go to the first floor of the Seattle Justice Center, 600 Fifth Ave and set a hearing. (you will see clerk windows after security on right)

You will not usually be taken into custody by the Court. However, the bench warrant will stay in place until the warrant quash hearing is held. If the Judge made the warrant pr’able (will say ” no PR” if applicable) the court clerk can just quash (cancel) it at the window and set the next hearing for your case. (what type of hearing – {arraignment, pre-trial, sentencing, review/revocation} will depend on what stage of the case you were at when you missed your Court appearance)

If Warrant is $10,000 or more you will have to post bail or turn yourself in. The other option is to have an attorney set an “add-on” for a warrant quash hearing. I have done many of these in Seattle Municipal Court. You would then show up for the hearing and the attorney would ask the Court to quash the warrant. (remember, the Court could still maintain some sort of bail – depending on the circumstances of your FTA) I have set these hearings as little as 48 hours in advance. Caveat: the above procedures are always subject to change without notice. It is always more preferable to contact an experienced attorney first.