Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

Re: bench warrents and detainers

not at all. a bench warrant occurs when a person has an open new criminal case and fails to appear for court or the person has a subpoena and the judge issues a bench warrant for their arrest. in all circumstances once the person is found they go immediately before a judge and the warrant is lifted.

a detainer occurs when a person has an old case and the have failed to do something they were supposed to do and their original sentencing judge says, 'don't anybody let them go until I see them--detain them." in that case you have to face the actual back judge.

good luck!

brian