2. Understand how an arrest warrant works

A warrant never expires. It lasts until you deal with it. Warrants are issued to give police the authority to arrest someone, search for, or seize something. A warrant lasts until the police have done what it authorizes them to do. You can turn yourself in at your local police station.

Once you've been arrested on the strength of a warrant, the warrant is said to be “executed”.

Who can arrest you

Any police officer in Ontario can arrest you and take you back to where the warrant was issued if:

• you don't follow the conditions of your bail and an arrest warrant is issued for failure to comply
• you don't go to court when you're supposed to and a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest in the Ontario Court of Justice

Any police officer in Canada can arrest you and take you back to where the warrant was issued if:

• a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for your arrest
• you don't go to court when you're supposed to and a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest in the Superior Court of Justice