A warrant is a written court order that authorizes law enforcement to take a specific action. An arrest warrant authorizes an arrest. A search warrant authorizes a search of a specified place or person and the seizure of specified items. A bench warrant directs officers to bring someone before the court, often because the person failed to appear when required.

In California Family Law

A warrant may arise when a court needs to enforce a required appearance. For example, a person found in contempt for violating a family court order may be ordered to return for a compliance hearing. If that person does not appear, the judge may issue a bench warrant. The court’s Findings and Order Regarding Contempt (FL-415) expressly warns of this possibility.

A warrant can also arise in a related criminal case, such as an investigation of domestic violence. A warrant authorizes a particular action; it does not, by itself, establish guilt or decide who should have custody of a child.