If you or someone you know has an outstanding warrant, one of the most important questions is: how long will it stay active?

The answer surprises most people. In Arkansas, warrants do not expire. They remain active until cleared by a court, which means you can be arrested years—sometimes even decades—after the original offense.

At Ludwig Law Firm, we help clients resolve warrants before they lead to an unexpected arrest, job loss, or damage to your record.

As always - if you have a legal question you want answered in a future blog, submit it via the form on this page. Now, let's dive in!

Warrants Stay Active Until You Resolve Them

Whether it’s a bench warrant (issued for failure to appear in court) or an arrest warrant (issued after law enforcement files charges), there is no expiration date under Arkansas law.

That means:

• You can be pulled over for a minor traffic violation and arrested

• You can be flagged during a background check

• You can be denied housing, jobs, or loans—even years later

Warrants don’t disappear. They follow you until they’re dealt with.

What Happens If You Ignore a Warrant?

Letting a warrant sit doesn’t make it go away. Instead, it often leads to:

• Automatic arrest if you’re pulled over

• Bond revocation

• License suspension

• Probation violations

• New charges like failure to appear or obstruction

If the original case was minor—like unpaid fines or a missed court date—you may now face more serious consequencesthan if you had resolved it right away.

Can Warrants Be Canceled or “Quashed”?

Yes. With the right legal strategy, we can often file a motion to quash the warrant, especially if:

• You missed court for a legitimate reason

• You never received notice

• You’re now willing to resolve the matter

In many cases, we can get the court to withdraw the warrant without you being arrested. But timing is everything.

How to Check If a Warrant Is Still Active

You can search:

• The Arkansas CourtConnect system

• Your local district or circuit court clerk’s office

• With help from a criminal defense lawyer (we check privately for clients)

If you're not sure whether a warrant is still active—or how to handle it—don’t wait.

What to Do If You Have an Active Warrant

• Do not ignore it

• Do not contact the court on your own—that can trigger an arrest

• Call a criminal defense attorney immediately

We’ve helped clients resolve old warrants without jail time, and in many cases, without them ever stepping into a courtroom.

When cases require high-stakes courtroom strategy, we also partner with experienced litigators like Warden Law Firm. When a client needs both finesse and firepower, a Ludwig and Warden partnership is the best option.

Warrants Don’t Go Away—But We Can Make Them Go Away the Right Way

Call 501-838-4043 or visit ludwiglawfirm.com. We’ll help you resolve your warrant with dignity—and without unnecessary risk.

📞 Call Ludwig Law Firm today at 501-838-4043
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📍 Proudly serving clients across Arkansas

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Reading this blog or interacting with Ludwig Law Firm through this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every legal case is different, and you should not act or rely on any information in this blog without first consulting with a licensed attorney about your specific situation. For legal guidance tailored to your needs, please contact Ludwig Law Firm directly.