Just Cause

• Warrants are issued for a number of reasons, including failure to appear in court, failure to pay traffic fines, committing a crime or failure to pay child support. Any law enforcement agency seeking a warrant must show just or probable cause to the court. The court must agree the evidence supports the issuance of a warrant. Once a warrant is put into authority, any law enforcement agent may enforce it (make an arrest).
  
  

Statute of Limitations for Crimes

• A statute of limitation is determined by the size of the offense. For example, in New Jersey, the statute of limitation for theft is five years. The limitation clock starts from the time the crime is discovered to have been committed. This holds true for all crimes in New Jersey, though statute of limitations vary for specific crimes. There are, however, no statute of limitations for the crimes of murder, rape or kidnapping. Non-residents of the state may be extradited from their state of origin to face prosecution at any time once a warrant has been issued.
  
  

Warrants

• Arrest warrants for a crime or an illegal offense have no statute of limitations.
  
  A warrant proves neither guilt nor innocence of a crime. It only alledges a crime has been committed. An arrest warrant may still be enforced even after a statute of limitations has expired on the crime. Although a crime may not be punishable in court after time has expired, other charges may be filed in connection to alleged crime. Non-residents are subject to the same enforcement as residents, and are fully punishable under New Jersey law so long as a warrant remains effective.
  
  

Dissolution

• Because a warrant in the state of New Jersey has no expiration date, the only way it can be made ineffective is to be dissolved by a judge or his authorized court administrator. However, the dissolution of a warrant does not mean complete absolution by the court. The defendant may still be held liable for court costs and fines related to the warrant in question. A judge may order restitution be made by the defendant through an authorized collection agency of the court.