Capias Warrants

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department enforces Capias warrants issued by the court when a defendant fails to pay a balance owed to a plaintiff. A Capias warrant authorizes a Deputy Sheriff to apprehend the defendant and bring them to court. Essex Deputy Sheriffs are highly trained and experienced in enforcing these warrants, often successfully convincing defendants to voluntarily appear in court, which is called a Personal Surrender, which is the most cost-effective option for plaintiffs. If this doesn’t work or if the defendant is unlikely to comply, deputies can proceed with a physical apprehension at the defendant’s home. Deputies use advanced law enforcement tools and technologies to safely locate, apprehend, and transport defendants to court.

Personal surrenders are ONLY an option for in-county district and housing courts. Probate and Family Courts and out-of-county courts are automatically a physical apprehension.