How come when a person has a warrant the cops don't go to their house and instead wait until they...?

Question

are pulled over to arrest them?

Answer 1

Actually, the police are required to make a reasonable effort to serve the warrant at the address recorded on the warrant and within the amount of time prescribed by law (often one year). This effort may consist of nothing more than knocking on the door receiving no answer, and leaving. This process is called "due diligence" and is required to keept the warrant active and valid.

Once due diligence has been performed, and unless the wanted person has warrants for crimes of violence, presents a threat to the community, etc., it is unlikely that any additional efforts will be made to serve the warrant. Where I work, we all know that the people who don't take car e of their cases and end up with warrants will eventually turn up and get arrested.

Answer 2

I'm not a police officer, but I would guess that answer really depends (a) upon the nature of the warrant, and (b) how quickly the person needs to be arrested.

A home presents a much more dangerous situation for police officers. There are many more places a person could hide, or there are many more places dangerous items could be. If the person is believed to be a threat (or not alone) arresting in a home is just much more dangerous.

IN addition, the "search incident to lawful arrest" is broader in a car. In general, police may only search the "grabable space" in a home when they arrest someone. When they arrest someone in a car, the police can search just about the entire car without a warrant. So if they believe you have guns or drugs in the car, and don't / can't get a warrant to search the car, they can just arrest you in the car and then do a "search incident to lawful arrest."

Answer 3

Many reasons. Safety is a big reason. But other than that, maybe the police officer wants to also tow your car. Or wants to make sure you are alone and not arrest you in front of your family. And sometimes he/she is not sure that you still live at the address that you provided so when you leave in a car he sees you and that's it. But I doubt you can make this conclusion that they never go to your house, unless you get warrants served on you all the time.

Answer 4

Officer Safety is one reason.
Also depends on what the warrant is for and the available bed space in the local jail. A warrant for an old traffic citation is not a high priority to be served at a home especially when the jail is overcrowded.

Answer 5

Because a cop just happened to be behind the person, ran their tag and then their drivers license in their computer or over the radio and found out they were wanted. Most police departments, mine included, do not have enough people to go knocking on doors to go roundup all of the people who have active warrants on them. Besides, depending on the person, it is easier to catch them off their homeground.

Answer 6

I've heard of the dispatcher calling the house and telling the person he can turn himself in at police headquarters. That would give anyone a sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach.

But, I guess it depends on time and priorities when it comes to what actions the police respond to.

Answer 7

because they don't live there anymore. once they knew a warrant would be issued they move quickly to a new address and they don't tell the court they moved because they don't want to be found.

Answer 8

alot will depend on the warrant, on serious warrants they do.

On minor warrants, there just is not enough officers to do it.

Answer 9

they do it sometimes. but a cop doesnt kno every warrant for every person.