A civil arrest warrant is a legal order issued by a court in non-criminal matters to ensure a person's attendance at a judicial hearing or compliance with court orders. Unlike criminal arrest warrants, which are focused on punishing crimes, civil arrest warrants compel an individual to appear in court to address civil issues such as failure to pay debts or child support. The warrant directs law enforcement to arrest the person named and bring them before the court. The court typically specifies conditions such as a bond amount or other terms to ensure the person's appearance. For example, in cases of unpaid child support, a civil arrest warrant (sometimes called a child support arrest warrant) can be issued to enforce payment compliance. These warrants remain in effect until executed or quashed by the court. In summary, a civil arrest warrant is a tool used by courts to enforce compliance with non-criminal legal obligations by authorizing the arrest and court appearance of the individual involved, primarily to resolve civil disputes or enforce court orders. Civil arrest warrants differ from criminal warrants in that their goal is compliance rather than punishment. This type of warrant is also known as a writ of bodily attachment or capias mittimus in some jurisdictions.