Galveston County Warrant Search

The Galveston County warrant search process allows concerned persons and the general public to find information on outstanding warrants, affidavits supporting warrants, and wanted persons within and sometimes outside their jurisdiction. It helps people confirm they have not defaulted in paying court-obligated fees, fines, or programs.

In Galveston County, the district and county courts send copies of warrants issued to local law enforcement authorities for record keeping. The magistrate clerk also ensures that copies of warrants are available for inspection and copying at the court clerk's office.

Information on outstanding warrants can also be indexed in other related county records, such as Galveston County arrest records, court records, and criminal records maintained by the Texas Department of Safety.

Are Warrants Public Records?

Yes. Article 15.26, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, provides that arrest warrants and all affidavits submitted to a magistrate in pursuance of the warrant are public information. It must be accessible to the public and made available for inspection and copying at the court clerk's office during regular business hours. For search warrants, the affidavit stating substantial facts establishing probable cause when a warrant is requested may become public information when the warrant has been executed. The magistrate clerk is required to make a copy of the affidavit supporting the search warrant available for public inspection in the office during normal business hours (Art 18.01).

Warrants may be restricted from public disclosure in circumstances where the court document itself is a private or confidential record, where the warrant information is expunged or sealed alongside other related criminal or court records, and where such information is withheld to prevent interference with law enforcement detection and investigations.

Types of Warrants in Galveston County

In Galveston County, the courts may issue different types of warrants in the administration of justice and during investigative processes. A Galveston County warrant may be issued for failure to show in court to search a person or their property when a surety notifies the court that they no longer intend to be responsible for the defendant (capias) or to enforce the payment of unpaid fines and court costs. The most frequently issued warrants in Texas are arrest warrants, bench warrants, search warrants, and blue warrants.

Do I Have a Warrant in Galveston County?

There are a number of ways to find active and outstanding warrants in Galveston County, Texas. Members of the public may consider:

• The court clerk at the Issuing Court
• Law enforcement warrants lists or most wanted persons list
• Third-party public records databases
• Hiring a criminal defense attorney

Active Warrant Search in Galveston

Finding active warrants in Galveston County will require the searcher to conduct thorough research. This may be achieved by looking through law enforcement records as well as records.

As there are different types of warrants commonly issued in Texas, the custodians of outstanding arrest warrants may differ from those of affidavits of executed search warrants. Nevertheless, all warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate, so the first point of contact during the search process ought to be the issuing court. The Galveston County court clerk maintains a copy of all warrants issued by the court and affidavits presented to the magistrate.

Likewise, the local law enforcement agencies maintain records of warrants given to them to execute. These records custodians are the primary sources for locating and accessing warrants in Galveston County.

Arrest Warrant Search

Per Art. 15.01. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrest warrant issued in the state of Texas must state the name of the accused or a reasonably particular description, the time, date, and place the crime occurred, and an affidavit to establish probable cause for belief that the named individual committed the offense. Members of the public can expect to find the following details in public arrest records.

The Galveston County Sheriff's "warrant division office" manages and executes felony and misdemeanor criminal warrants issued by district and county courts. The office also files and records county warrants from other jurisdictions in Texas and warrants sent by other states in the US.

For warrants issued by the sheriff's office, contact the Galveston County Sheriff's Office at (409) 766-2300. Also, the County Sheriff's Office publishes an online Wanted Persons List.

Bench Warrant Lookup

Bench Warrants are typically issued for failure to appear in court without reason, default in payment of fines and fees, and sometimes to rearrest parolees and probationers who have violated their terms of release.

The best way to find Galveston County Court clerk records online is to use the county court's online case information search sites. Individuals can also look up bench warrants in person at the court clerk's office.

Another search option is the Galveston County Wanted Persons List. Interested persons can access basic information on persons wanted for bench warrants, warrants for arrest, or other affidavits for default through the Galveston County online warrants list.

Free Warrant Search

Some free resources for conducting warrant searches in Galveston County, Texas, include:

• Galveston County Police to Citizen Wanted List. This list provides information on high-risk offenders, such as their names, charges, warrant types, and executing agencies.
• Texas Department of Safety's bench warrant information site. This website is for bench warrants issued for failure to appear at scheduled court hearings. It is only accessible to residents with a valid Texas Driver's License.

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes. Outside official custodians and government resources, concerned persons can utilize third-party public records websites to find outstanding warrants in Galveston County. Third-party, public record search sites help users find information on outstanding warrants in and outside their jurisdiction. However, such information is confined to all restrictions applicable to the Texas Public Information Act.

Do Warrants Expire?

Except for search warrants, arrest warrants issued in Texas do not have an auto-expiration date. They remain active and actionable until they are resolved, served, or recalled.

Search warrants are valid for 15 days, excluding the day they are issued and the day they are executed. This applies specifically to warrants for searching and seizing DNA specimens, including blood and saliva. Search warrants may also be valid for only three to ten, depending on the peculiarities of the case (Article 18.07 Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.). Nonetheless, it is ill-advised to attempt to wait out a warrant. It connotes a deliberate attempt to evade the law and can negatively impact your case.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

To deal with or clear a warrant issued for a traffic violation, pay the prescribed fines or contact the court or an attorney to help schedule another court date.

A criminal defense attorney will counsel the client on resolving the warrant, present evidence in court on their behalf, and argue the case in favor of the offender.

Typically, an attorney will confirm if the offense is bailable and then go to court with a representative from a bail bond company to plead with the court to set a bond on the case while the judge is on the bench. The judge may agree to post bond rather than placing the defendant in police custody.