Frequent Questions
What is a “bench warrant?”
A “bench warrant” is a warrant for your arrest issued by a judge from the bench when you fail to appear after receiving a court ordered subpoena or other notices, including a summons from a law enforcement officer or a traffic citation.
A “bench warrant” will generally only be recalled when you personally appear before the judge who issued it.
If you have a “bench warrant” outstanding for your arrest, you should promptly go the courtroom of the judge who issued it and provide the judge with your reason for not previously appearing. If the reason you did not appear was due to a medical reason, please bring medical documentation with you.
THE MISDEMEANOR JAIL IS NOW OPEN, PLEASE CHECK YOUR WARRANTS AND TAKE CARE OF THEM. LOOK UP YOUR WARRANTS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
SHERIFF:
Website:
http://www.ebrso.org
CITY POLICE:
Website:
http://brgov.com/dept/citycourt/warrants/Default.asp
How do I deal with domestic violence?
For any criminal emergency, first call 911 for an immediate response by local law enforcement.
For non-emergency situations, contact your local police or sheriff to file a criminal complaint.
Treat all domestic violence as a serious criminal act.
You may seek assistance from Baton Rouge City Court (if you reside in city limits) and from the East Baton Rouge Clerk of Court (if you reside outside of city limits) to file a restraining order.
Baton Rouge City Court
233 Saint Louis Steet.
Room 208
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Tel. (225) 389-5279
Website: http://brgov.com/dept/citycourt/
East Baton Rouge Clerk of Court
Domestic Violence Unit
300 North Boulevard, Suite 2801 (on second floor)
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Tel. (225) 389-4705
Website: http://www.ebrclerkofcourt.org/departments/family_violence.html
Additional assistance may also be available to you from:
Battered Women’s Program
Baton Rouge Hotline: (225) 389-3001
Toll Free Line: 1-800-541-9706
How do I bring criminal charges against someone?
Persons may contact their local police and sheriff departments to file a criminal complaint against another person. Should the police make an arrest based upon any false allegations that you make, you could face criminal charges as well as civil liability for a false arrest.
How do I deal with identity theft?
The first step in dealing with identity theft is to educate yourself about the existence of this crime. The federal government has a “one stop” website for identity theft located at:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Too often in Baton Rouge, we see persons victimized by identity theft rings. Usually you can be suspicious of anything that looks and sounds “too good to be true.” Guard your identification, social security number, credit and banking information from curious persons. If you are a victim of identity theft, report this crime to your local police as soon as possible and contact all of your financial institutions. By reporting the crime early you can minimize impact this crime may have on you and you will help law enforcement catch the perpetrators.
How do I deal with scams on auction websites and on the internet?
The first step in dealing with internet crime is to educate yourself about the existence of this crime. The federal government has a “one stop” website for internet crime located at:
http://www.ic3.gov
Too often in Baton Rouge, we see persons victimized by internet crime rings, often operating from foreign countries. Usually you can be suspicious of anything that looks and sounds “too good to be true.” Guard your internet identity and financial information when you are online. If you are a victim of internet crime, report this crime to your local police as soon as possible and contact all of your financial institutions. By reporting the crime early you can minimize impact this crime may have on you and you will help law enforcement catch the perpetrators.
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