How can you check to see if your passport has been flagged? Before I tru to leave the USA on vacation?

You may want to consult with an attorney to review any files that MAY exist under your name so that it is done correctly.

One issue noticable from your posting is why would the warrant be issued in a different name? At times it is not the original charge that can be troublesome but the later interaction with the police and government. You can check at the County court side for a list of any criminal cases that remain open.

Theoretically DHS inspection systems should pick up all outstanding warrants.. Whether the agency that is responsible for enforcing the warrant will want to take you into custody is up to that agency. It does not mean that you cannot be detained while that decision is being made. Instead of running away from your criminal problem why not do the responsible thing and address the issue? Whether or not you agree with the law, complying with it is not a "game." ----------- Jeffrey A. Devore, Esq. Devore Law Group, P.A. 2925 PGA Blvd., Suite 204 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Telephone: (561) 478-5353 Facsimile: (561) 478-2144 Skype: jeffrey.a.devore email: [email protected] web: www.devorelawgroup.com

The description given in your question does not make clear exactly what you were charged with, nor even if you were arrested and fingerprinted. If a warrant was issued for your failure to appear in criminal court, one thing you can be certain of is that is not going to "go away" in 18 months. There is now enhanced information-sharing between state criminal courts, local and state law enforcement and the federal government such as ICE, CBP and the State Department. While many of these new measures were designed to detect illegal and criminal aliens, they also happen make it easier to detect that US Citizens with outstanding bench warrants. And the last thing you want to do is make it appear to the feds that you were absconding justice. Your best bet is to hire a criminal defense attorney to set aside or "quash" the bench warrant and resolve this seemingly minor case. You will have to give a (much) better reason for your having failed to appear in court, and be prepared for opposition from the prosecutor or even the court in setting the warrant aside. Best of luck.