The Bench Warrants Division is responsible for a variety of duties, including but not limited to the following:
A bench warrant is issued by a Judge or District Magistrate for persons deemed to be in contempt of court. A person is considered to be in contempt of court when they deliberately violate an order or condition given to them by a Judge or District Magistrate. Bench warrants can be issued for both criminal and civil matters. A bench warrant authorizes the immediate on-site arrest of the individual subject to the bench warrant.
If you are issued a bench warrant in Cumberland County you are first notified by mail that a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest. Once you receive such notification you should immediately contact the county office stated in the letter. In most cases you can make arrangements with that office and the bench warrant will be vacated when you comply with those arrangements.
Once a bench warrant comes into our office, the information on the warrant is immediately entered into at least three systems that forward your information to all law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In some cases where extradition is approved, your information is forwarded to all law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
On top of providing your information to all appropriate law enforcement agencies, our office also gathers as much information as possible on your whereabouts and dedicates time to attempt to locate you whether it is at your home, your place of employment, or any other place you may be. In order to avoid possible embarrassment, if you believe you may have a bench warrant please contact our office at 717.240.6396.
The Cumberland County Office of the Sheriff provides fingerprinting service at no charge to the residents of Cumberland County. This service is also available to Non-Resident Penn State Dickinson School of Law students and employees of Cumberland County. View the information on making a fingerprint appointment.