Fact check: Bench Warrant Jury Duty Summons El Paso County Colorado

1. Summary of the results

The query appears to be related to bench warrants and jury duty in El Paso County, Colorado. A bench warrant is a court order for arrest issued when someone fails to comply with court orders, such as missing court appearances or violating probation ^[1]. While law enforcement can arrest individuals with outstanding bench warrants, they may not actively search for people in minor cases like traffic violations ^[1]. However, for felony cases, police are more likely to conduct active searches ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original query:

• Jury Duty System: Colorado operates on a one day/one trial system, with specific processes for jury selection and service ^[3].
• Warrant Notification: Courts typically do not mail notices when warrants are issued, meaning individuals might be unaware of an outstanding warrant until confronted by law enforcement ^[2].
• Legal Assistance: It's recommended to address bench warrants through legal channels, preferably with an attorney, to avoid potential jail time or license revocation ^[2].
• Ongoing Scams: There is currently an active jury duty scam occurring across southern Colorado ^[4]. Legitimate court officials will never:
• Call to collect fines ^[5]
• Request payments over the phone ^[5]
• Send texts about warrants or missed court appearances ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original query is too vague and might lead people to fall for common scams. Several parties benefit from this lack of clarity:

• Scammers: By exploiting people's fear of legal consequences, scammers benefit from the confusion around bench warrants and jury duty procedures ^{[5] [6]}.
• Legal Services: Law firms benefit from people seeking legal representation to handle bench warrants, as recommended by sources ^[2].

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has explicitly stated that they NEVER call or text about warrants, missed court, or jury duty ^[6]. Any claims to the contrary should be treated as suspicious, and individuals should verify jury summons by contacting their local County or District Clerk of Court Office directly ^[5].