Texas Warrant Glossary
Texas warrant cases come with their own vocabulary. The terms below are grouped into warrant types, the courts and process that issue them, bond and release, and supervision. Each definition links to the detailed guide and, where it helps, to the relevant chapter of the Texas statutes.
Warrant types
- Warrant
- A written order signed by a judge or magistrate directing officers to make an arrest, conduct a search, or bring a person before the court. Texas arrest warrants are governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 15. See warrant types.
- Arrest warrant
- An order, issued on a sworn complaint showing probable cause, that authorizes officers to arrest a named person and bring them before a magistrate. See arrest warrant and Chapter 15.
- Bench warrant
- A warrant issued directly by a judge “from the bench” — most often after a person fails to appear in a pending case — ordering that person be arrested and brought to court. See bench warrant.
- Capias
- A court order commanding a peace officer to take a named person into custody, commonly issued after a missed setting or once a case is filed. Capias warrants are addressed in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 23. See capias.
- Capias pro fine
- A specific capias issued to collect an unpaid fine and costs after a judgment, directing that the person be arrested and either pay, lay out the fine in jail, or be brought in for an ability-to-pay hearing. See capias pro fine and Chapter 45.
- Alias warrant
- A warrant issued when a person never responded to a citation or never appeared and no prior warrant was outstanding — common in Class C and traffic cases before any plea is entered. See alias warrant.
- Blue warrant
- A warrant issued for a suspected parole violation that typically carries a no-bond hold while the alleged violation is reviewed. Parole supervision is governed by the Government Code, Chapter 508. See blue warrant.
- Governor’s warrant
- A warrant signed by the Governor in an interstate extradition matter, authorizing the arrest and surrender of a person wanted by another state. The process follows the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act in Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 51.13. See governor’s warrant.
- Fugitive warrant
- A warrant used to hold a person in one state who is wanted in another, pending an extradition demand — often the first step before a governor’s warrant issues. See governor’s warrant and Article 51.13.
- Failure to appear
- Missing a required court date. It commonly triggers a bench or alias warrant and can be charged as a separate offense under Penal Code, Section 38.10 (bail jumping and failure to appear). See what happens if you ignore a warrant.
Courts & process
- Magistrate
- A judicial officer — such as a justice of the peace, municipal judge, county judge, or district judge — who reviews complaints, finds probable cause, issues warrants, and sets bail. The role is defined in Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 2.
- Complaint
- A sworn written statement alleging that a person committed an offense. It supplies the probable cause a magistrate relies on to issue a warrant. See Chapter 15.
- Probable cause
- The reasonable, fact-based belief that a person committed an offense. A magistrate must find probable cause before issuing an arrest warrant under Chapter 15.
- Municipal court
- A city court that handles Class C misdemeanors and city ordinance violations, including most traffic tickets. Its warrant and fine procedures follow Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 45. See Courts & Counties.
- Justice court
- A justice of the peace court that hears Class C misdemeanors and certain civil matters. Like municipal courts, it operates under Chapter 45 for fine-only criminal cases. See Courts & Counties.
- Recall
- The court’s act of withdrawing a warrant so it is no longer active — the practical goal when you “lift” a warrant. A recall usually follows posting a bond, resetting the case, or resolving the underlying matter. See how to lift a warrant.
- Habeas corpus
- A legal proceeding that challenges whether a person is being held lawfully and can be used to set or review bail. The writ is addressed in Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 11.
- Extradition
- The formal process of returning a person from one state to another to face charges or serve a sentence, governed by the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act in Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 51.13. See fugitive warrant.
Bond & release
- Bond
- The security a person posts to guarantee they will appear in court, in exchange for release from custody and recall of the warrant. Bail is governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 17. See bond vs. surrender.
- Surety bond
- A bond posted through a bail bond company (the surety), which charges a non-refundable fee and promises the full bond amount to the court if the person fails to appear. Bail bonds are addressed in Chapter 17.
- Personal bond
- A release on the person’s written promise to appear, without paying the full bond amount up front, sometimes with conditions or a small fee. Personal bonds are authorized under Chapter 17.
- Walk-through (attorney) bond
- A bond an attorney arranges in advance so a person turns themselves in and is booked and released the same day, converting a surprise arrest into a scheduled appearance. See how to lift a warrant.
- No-bond hold
- A directive that a person be held without the option to post bond, common with blue (parole) warrants and some extradition holds while the matter is reviewed. See blue warrant.
Supervision
- Deferred adjudication
- A form of community supervision in which the judge defers a finding of guilt; completing the term avoids a conviction, while violating it can lead to adjudication. It is authorized under Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 42A.
- Motion to revoke
- A motion the State files alleging that a person on straight (regular) community supervision violated its conditions, asking the court to revoke probation and impose the original sentence. See Chapter 42A.
- Motion to adjudicate
- A motion the State files alleging that a person on deferred adjudication violated its conditions, asking the court to find them guilty and impose a sentence within the original range. See Chapter 42A.
- Mandatory supervision
- A release from prison, required by law for certain offenses when calendar time plus good-conduct time equals the sentence, served under parole-style supervision. It is governed by the Government Code, Chapter 508.
- Preponderance of the evidence
- The “more likely than not” standard of proof — lower than “beyond a reasonable doubt” — that a court applies at a revocation or adjudication hearing to decide whether a supervision condition was violated.
How L&L Law Group helps
L and L Law Group is a Frisco criminal-defense firm led by Co-Founding Partners Reggie London and Njeri London. The firm confirms the warrant, arranges a walk-through bond where possible, files motions to recall, and appears with you to resolve the underlying case.
This glossary is an educational resource, but the lawyers behind it handle warrant matters in North Texas courts every week. When you are ready, the firm can verify the warrant, quote the likely bond, arrange release, and stand with you at the courthouse. Learn more at the firm’s main site, or read about this resource.
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This page is general legal information about Texas law, not legal advice for your specific situation. Statutes and court procedures change; verify current requirements with the relevant court or a licensed Texas attorney. Last reviewed June 19, 2026.