Find Out if You Have a Warrant in Any State

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.

There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 1,262,851 times.

Having a warrant out for your arrest is a serious problem that can result from a range of situations, from missed court dates to criminal offenses. In some cases, you may not even know there is a warrant for your arrest, which means you could be taken into custody at a routine traffic stop, the office, or your own home. Dealing with your arrest warrant is crucial to avoid accumulating fines and further complications. There are several ways to find out if there is a warrant for your arrest, and understanding your options helps you best resolve the issue.

Things You Should Know Part 1 of 3:

Searching for a Warrant

Step 1 Search official government.

Step 2 Call the court clerk.

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Step 3 Check the public records at a county courthouse.

Step 4 Use an online third-party service.

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Learning the Details

Step 1 Find out when the warrant was issued.

Step 2 Inquire about the charges.

Step 3 Note the bail amount.

Note the bail amount. If you’re concerned that you will go to jail, knowing the predetermined bail amount for your charge could help you raise the funds to avoid jail time while awaiting your trial.

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Responding to a Warrant

Step 1 Deal with the warrant as soon as possible.

Deal with the warrant as soon as possible. Regardless of the charge, the best thing you can do for yourself is to respond quickly. Being proactive about your warrant helps you avoid being arrested publicly and at inopportune times. Moreover, it limits any accruing fees.

Step 2 Contact an attorney.

Step 3 Turn yourself in.

Step 4 Do not ignore the warrant.

Do not ignore the warrant. This will only catch up to you. The next time you get pulled over for speeding, or even go the county clerk’s office for routine matters, you could be arrested on the spot.

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Expert Q&A

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If you think you have a warrant out for your arrest and are prepared to turn yourself in, you can simply ask a police officer. Police officers have access to special databases and can tell you if you have an outstanding warrant. While this method is quick, it will certainly lead to your arrest if there is an outstanding warrant. [10] X Research source

If an attempt is made to arrest you, do not resist. Resisting arrest can be considered a felony or misdemeanor. [11] X Research source

Find out when the judge will see people from your county and turn yourself in the day before. Then you will be seen the next day.

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  1. ↑https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/CJ-CJIS/CJ-Arrest-Warrant-Data/Arrest-Warrant-Data
  2. ↑https://understandingbailbonds.com/arrest-warrant-search/
  3. ↑http://thelawdictionary.org/article/best-way-to-run-a-free-arrest-warrant-check/
  4. ↑https://understandingbailbonds.com/arrest-warrant-search/
  5. ↑http://www.dmv.org/articles/how-to-do-an-online-warrant-search/
  6. ↑http://thelawdictionary.org/article/best-way-to-run-a-free-arrest-warrant-check/
  7. ↑http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/statute-of-limitations-state-laws-chart-29941.html
  8. ↑http://www.dmv.org/articles/handling-a-warrant-for-your-arrest/
  9. ↑http://www.dmv.org/articles/handling-a-warrant-for-your-arrest/
  1. ↑http://thelawdictionary.org/article/best-way-to-run-a-free-arrest-warrant-check/
  2. ↑http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/crime-penalties/federal/Resisting-Arrest.htm

About This Article

Co-authored by:

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 1,262,851 times.

34 votes - 64% Co-authors: 29 Updated: April 22, 2024 Views: 1,262,851 Categories: Vital Records

To see if you have a warrant out for your arrest, go to the city, county, state, or federal website where you think you might have an arrest warrant. Then, look under the “Legal” or “Health and Safety” sections for a warrant search. Or, type “Arrest warrant” in the search bar of the home page. If you’d rather speak to someone, call any court in your state and ask if there’s a warrant out for you, since states maintain a warrant database that’s accessible from any court. However, use your name in the 3rd person if you want to remain anonymous. Alternatively, use an online 3rd party service that can perform warrant searches. Since some of these services charge a fee and only give you vital statistics and property information, make sure use them as a last resort. For more tips from our Legal co-author, including how to turn yourself in to the courts, read on!