how long does a warrant for arrest for council tax last for i dont live in england but want to go there soon to visit friends will i be pulled by customs when i get the ferry

I imagine that an outstanding warrant might last forever.

You might get arrested - yes

The warrant is indefinite.With Councils now enlisting lots of third parties to trace debtors,it can be easy to think no one will find you-but with the sharing of information and data that now goes on....its not unreasonable to suppose that they will catch you sooner,rather than later.

Prison is only ordered for those who clearly show they have no intentions of paying.

My guess is that given the circumstances,you will be forced to surrender your passport if you are arrested,pending a hearing.

and when it is paid will the warrant be lifted and how would i know if a warrant has been issued is there a website

The arrest warrant is ordered by the court and then passed to the police to be held on file pending the locating of the person. If they ran a check on your details then in theory the warrant should show with the police and you could be arrested and detained.

The warrant exists as long as the debt it was issued for exists.

and what id i am in a diffrent country and not make an effort to go to england

If your abroad then they'll have no real way of finding you - I guess in theory providing there is a co-operation agreement on law enforcement then they could arrest you but there's not much chance for that in council tax cases.

waccamacca,

Excuse me for asking but what exactly are the circumstances for which the "WARRANT" was issued?? You must have been summoned and gone AWOL more than once. Your circumstances depend upon what actions YOU should take. "EXEMPLO DUCEMUS"

Much depends on the warrants wording.

If its a warrant without bail,you would be held until the next available Court session.

Or you could be re-bailed to attend on a fixed date,but given your circumstances if you have been evasive in the past then thats unlikely.

You could call the Warrants office at your local Police Station-they are unlikely to give you too much info,but maybe will tell you what the procedures are.

It would be better for you to get this sorted through the week.

If you are picked up or go voluntarily after Friday morning-theres a good chance that you will spend the weekend in the cells !!

1. i am not in england 2. ijm not sure if a warrant has been issued but dont want to take a chance to go to england i left england owing 800 pound odd 4 years ago what chances are there that a warrant is out

waccamacca,

You do not seem to be sure if you are wanted on warrant, your priority is to FIND out if you ARE.Ring the Magistrates Clerks office of the area in which you used to pay your council tax and ask them. Or your local council Authority and see what your status is. Until you find out you will forever be looking over your shoulder. "EXEMPLO DUCEMUS"