text: can a warrant for my arrest be issued? i took my car into the repair shop. they did not repair the car (it was not returned to me in a drivable condition) so i stopped payment on my check to them. the owner of the repair shop says he did repair the car. he has just sent me a registered letter stating that if i do not pay him he "will file a complaint against you and ask for a warrant for your arrest if the this check is not paid within ten (10) days." i filed complaints against the repair shop with the better business bureau and aaa. i feel that if you bring your car into the repair shop, and they give you an estimate, and you pay the estimate, you're entitled to receive a car that you can drive away. the car is undrivable. however the owner says that because he got the engine to run he did his work properly. my wife and i are of limited means. can this owner obtain a warrant for my arrest? he says i passed a bad check. i'm frightened of being arrested for just trying to stand up for my rights. how can we fight back? it is very unlikely that you would be arrested.  you have a dispute about a debt, and there is no crime involved in that.  (it can be a crime to commit fraud by passing a bad check, but that doesn't fit your situation, and it is highly unlikely the police or da would issue an arrest warrant even if the car shop owner doesn't correctly describe the facts.  perhaps you can remind the guy that if he has you arrested on false facts he will be liable for false arrest.)  what is more likely is that he will sue you.  response to additional info/questions:  he can sue and continue to collect.  you should write to the collection agency, and tell them that you did not recieve the services contracted for from the garage, and there is no valid debt.  tell them to remove any negative reports about your credit (and tell the garage owner the same.  it is a violation of federal law to report a bad debt to credit agencies of the matter is in dispute.)  if he sues you, make the appropriate motion in court to stop the actions of the collection agency until the matter is settled.  threaten to countersue the garage owner if he does not stop the collection agency and fix any harm to your credit.  i don't know how much the bill is for.  dealing with this in court may end up being more expensive than just paying.  the advice to consult a lawyer is good.  if the garage is a aaa affliated shop, and you are a member, they have a process for resolving disputes.  (by the way, the major credit cards do too -- if you had told mastercard or visa to stop payment, then he would have to battle the credit card company to get it, at least til they investigated and disagreed with your position.)