Warrant Search: Complete Guide to Checking for Active Warrants

What Is a Warrant and Why Would You Need to Search for One?

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. Unlike what you see in crime dramas, most people with active warrants don't know they have them until they're pulled over for a traffic violation or encounter police during a routine interaction.

There are several types of warrants you might search for:

• Arrest warrants: Issued when there's probable cause that someone committed a crime
• Bench warrants: Issued when someone fails to appear in court or violates probation terms
• Search warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specific locations for evidence
• Fugitive warrants: Issued for individuals who fled from another jurisdiction

People conduct warrant searches for various reasons: verifying their own status before traveling, conducting background checks on potential employees or tenants, or researching someone's criminal history. Whatever your reason, understanding how to access this public information is crucial.

How Warrants Are Issued and Entered Into Public Records

When law enforcement believes they have probable cause that someone committed a crime, they present evidence to a judge. If the judge agrees, they issue a warrant. This warrant is then entered into local, state, and sometimes federal databases.

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database maintained by the FBI contains warrant information from across the country, but this database isn't directly accessible to the public. Instead, you'll need to rely on state and county-level databases, third-party services, or direct contact with law enforcement agencies.

It's important to understand that warrant information may not appear immediately in all databases. There's often a delay between when a warrant is issued and when it becomes searchable online. Additionally, some jurisdictions are better at digitizing and publishing their records than others.

Free Methods to Search for Active Warrants

County Sheriff and Police Department Websites

Most county sheriff's offices maintain online databases of active warrants. These are typically the most accurate sources since they come directly from the agency that would execute the warrant. To search this way, you'll need to know which county to search in, as you'll need to check each jurisdiction separately.

Visit the sheriff's website for the relevant county and look for sections labeled "Warrant Search," "Most Wanted," or "Active Warrants." Some agencies require you to visit in person or call to obtain warrant information, while others have searchable online databases.

State Court Systems

Many state court systems offer online case search tools that include warrant information. These databases often provide more comprehensive information than county-level searches, as they aggregate data from multiple jurisdictions within the state.

For example, many states have unified court systems where you can search by name, case number, or other identifying information. The search results may indicate if a warrant has been issued as part of a criminal case.

Third-Party Criminal Records Databases

Tools like Galadon's Criminal Records Search aggregate data from multiple sources to provide comprehensive background information. These services search sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest records, and court records nationwide, making it easier to conduct a thorough warrant search without visiting dozens of individual county websites.

The advantage of using a comprehensive tool is that you can search across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. This is particularly useful if you're not sure where a warrant might have been issued, or if you're researching someone who has lived in multiple locations.

Understanding Warrant Search Results

When you find warrant information, it typically includes:

• Subject's name and identifying information: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description
• Warrant number: A unique identifier for the warrant
• Issuing authority: Which court or judge issued the warrant
• Charges: What crime(s) the person is suspected of committing
• Bond amount: How much bail would be required for release, if applicable
• Issue date: When the warrant was created

It's critical to verify that the warrant actually applies to the person you're researching. Names can be similar or identical, leading to false matches. Always cross-reference identifying information like date of birth, middle names, and known addresses before drawing conclusions.

What to Do If You Find a Warrant for Yourself

Discovering you have an active warrant can be alarming, but ignoring it will only make the situation worse. Here's what you should do:

Contact an attorney immediately. Before you do anything else, consult with a criminal defense lawyer. They can verify the warrant's validity, explain the charges, and advise you on the best course of action. Many attorneys offer free consultations for this type of situation.

Do not contact law enforcement directly without legal counsel. While your instinct might be to call the police department and clear things up, remember that anything you say can be used against you. Let your attorney handle communications with law enforcement.

Consider turning yourself in voluntarily. Your attorney may arrange a time for you to surrender, which is generally better than being arrested unexpectedly. Voluntary surrender can sometimes be viewed favorably by the court and may help you avoid being arrested at work or in front of your family.

Gather documentation. If you believe the warrant was issued in error (for example, you actually did appear in court but there was a clerical mistake), collect any evidence that supports your case: court receipts, correspondence, travel records, or witness statements.

Conducting Warrant Searches for Employment or Tenant Screening

If you're an employer or landlord conducting background checks, warrant searches are often part of comprehensive due diligence. However, you must comply with legal requirements:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that if you use a third-party service to conduct background checks for employment purposes, you must get written permission from the candidate and follow specific procedures if you decide not to hire them based on what you find.

Different states have varying laws about what criminal history information you can consider when making hiring or rental decisions. Some states have "ban the box" laws that restrict when you can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

For comprehensive background screening, consider using tools that go beyond warrant searches. Galadon's Background Checker provides comprehensive background reports with trust scores, giving you a fuller picture of someone's history rather than just warrant information alone.

Limitations and Accuracy of Online Warrant Searches

No online warrant search is 100% complete or current. Here are key limitations to understand:

Delayed updates: Warrants that were recently issued may not appear in online databases yet. Conversely, warrants that have been recalled or executed may still show as active if the database hasn't been updated.

Jurisdictional gaps: Not all counties and municipalities publish their warrant information online. Rural areas and smaller jurisdictions may only provide warrant information in person or by phone.

Sealed and confidential records: Some warrants, particularly those involving juveniles or sensitive investigations, are sealed and won't appear in public databases.

Name variations and errors: Misspellings, nickname usage, and name changes can cause you to miss relevant warrants or find incorrect matches.

For these reasons, if you need definitive information about warrant status-especially for legal purposes-you should verify findings through official channels or hire a professional process server or investigator.

The Difference Between Warrants and Other Criminal Records

It's important to distinguish warrants from other types of criminal records you might encounter during background research:

Arrest records document when someone was taken into custody but don't necessarily mean they were convicted of a crime. Someone can be arrested and later have charges dropped or be found not guilty.

Court records show the full history of a criminal case, including charges filed, court appearances, motions, and final dispositions. These provide more context than just knowing a warrant exists.

Conviction records show that someone was found guilty of a crime and sentenced. These are generally more significant for background checks than arrests that didn't lead to convictions.

Incarceration records show time spent in jail or prison, including current inmates and past releases.

A comprehensive criminal records search examines all these record types together, providing context that a warrant-only search cannot provide. Someone might have an old warrant for a minor offense from decades ago, which tells a very different story than someone with multiple recent felony convictions.

Privacy Considerations and Ethical Use of Warrant Information

Just because warrant information is publicly available doesn't mean it should be used carelessly. Consider these ethical guidelines:

Verify before acting on information. As mentioned earlier, name matches can be incorrect. Before you refuse to hire someone or take other adverse action based on warrant information, ensure you've positively identified the right person.

Understand the context. A 10-year-old bench warrant for missing a court date on a traffic ticket is very different from a recent felony arrest warrant. Consider the severity, recency, and relevance of any warrant you discover.

Respect rehabilitation and second chances. Many people with criminal histories have turned their lives around. Blanket policies that automatically disqualify anyone with any warrant may prevent you from hiring excellent employees or tenants.

Follow legal requirements. Beyond the FCRA, many states have laws restricting how criminal records can be used in employment and housing decisions. Consult with legal counsel to ensure your screening policies comply with applicable laws.

Advanced Techniques for Comprehensive Background Research

Professional investigators and researchers don't rely on a single search method. Here's how to conduct more thorough warrant and criminal records research:

Search multiple name variations. Check common misspellings, maiden names, nicknames, and name order variations (first/last reversed). People who are trying to avoid warrants sometimes use slight name alterations.

Cross-reference with other public records. Property records, voter registration, and business filings can help you identify all the jurisdictions where someone has lived or worked, so you know which counties to search for warrants.

Use social media and online presence. While social media won't directly tell you about warrants, it can help you confirm identities and locations, ensuring you're researching the right person.

Check federal courts separately. Federal warrants are issued for violations of federal law and won't appear in state or county databases. PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides access to federal court documents, though there's a small per-page fee.

Consider professional services for critical decisions. If you're making a high-stakes decision-like a key executive hire or a significant financial transaction-consider hiring a professional background investigation firm that has access to more comprehensive databases and knows how to verify information properly.

Staying Informed About Your Own Records

Even if you've never been in trouble with the law, it's worth periodically checking your own criminal records. Identity theft can result in criminals using your name when they're arrested, potentially leading to warrants being issued in your name for crimes you didn't commit.

Conduct a self-background check annually. Use the same tools employers and landlords use to see what appears when someone searches your name. This helps you catch and correct errors before they cause problems during a job search or rental application.

If you find incorrect warrant information associated with your name, contact the issuing agency immediately with proof of your identity and any documentation showing the error. You may need to file formal requests to correct records and should consider consulting with an attorney to ensure the corrections are made properly and completely.

Remember that various data aggregators and background check services pull from different databases at different times. Even after you clear up an error with the original source, incorrect information may persist in third-party databases for months or years. You may need to contact multiple services to ensure the correction spreads throughout the ecosystem.