Guadalupe County Warrant Search

A warrant search is a public inquiry into outstanding and active warrants issued for a person's arrest or the search of a particular piece of property. Employers, family members, and police officers can use it to determine whether a person has an unanswered case with law enforcement.

In Guadalupe, Texas, warrant checks are directed to law enforcement and judicial branch offices, as they maintain most warrant records. Typically, courts issue warrants and then send them to law enforcement, which executes them.

Warrants, along with criminal, arrest, and court records, are among the key components in Guadalupe County's criminal justice system. The simplest explanation is that they are legal documents that grant authorities the authority to perform a specific act or search. Consequently, warrant information may be included in Guadalupe County arrest records when relevant to an apprehension.

Are Warrants Public Records?

Yes, warrants created by Guadalupe County courts are generally regarded as public records per Rule 12.3(c)(2) of the Texas court rules. Under this rule, Guadalupe County arrest warrants and bench warrants are public records made available to members of the public interested in them.

Per Texas court rules, search warrants and affidavits supporting search warrants are also generally regarded as public records (Proc. Code art. 18.01 (b). However, only limited information in unexecuted search warrants is public. Search warrants for undercover investigations may also be made confidential by court orders issued in the county.

In Guadalupe County, the public's right to get warrant information is governed by common law, statutory law (such as the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure), and court regulations.

Types of Warrants in Guadalupe County

The following are the types of warrants issued by Guadalupe County courts:

• Arrest warrants
• Bench warrants
• Search warrants
• Blue warrant

Information obtained from the Guadalupe County clerk's office shows that arrest warrants are the court's most requested and most issued warrants.

A blue warrant is a special kind issued in Texas when a parolee has broken their terms. It can be issued for various reasons, such as missing a parole officer meeting or failing to find work.

Do I Have a Warrant in Guadalupe County?

Residents of Guadalupe County who suspect that they have a warrant for their apprehension can confirm its issuance through any of the following means:

• Calling or visiting the county sheriff's office
• Using the law enforcement warrants list online
• Using third-party websites
• Contacting a lawyer in Guadalupe County to investigate if a warrant exists

Active Warrant Search in Guadalupe

Individuals can perform an active warrant search in Guadalupe County at the Guadalupe County Court records section. The county clerk's office manages the records section and maintains a database of every warrant issued by the court.

Warrants issued at the court are eventually sent to the county sheriff's office to be executed per state law. Hence, inquirers can also perform an active warrant search at the county sheriff's department. Police departments in Guadalupe County may also provide access to active warrant searches online. Interested persons can perform the search by reaching out to the warrant department within the police station.

Anyone who is a US citizen is eligible to request a search at the police department. However, those with warrants for their arrest will be taken into custody following the confirmation of the warrant and their identity.

Arrest Warrant Search

Texas law defines an arrest warrant as a written order from a magistrate to a peace officer or another designated individual instructing them to take the person accused of a crime into custody. Other types of warrants issued to law enforcement to apprehend an individual and bring them before a judge include bench warrants, blue warrants, and failure to appear (FTA) warrants.

As described earlier, arrest warrants can be searched at the county courthouse or law enforcement office. To search a database for arrest warrants, requestors will need to provide the full name of the person on the warrant and the type of record(if known). Requestors may need to give the period when the warrant was issued, primarily if it was issued long ago.

Bench Warrant Lookup

A Texas bench warrant is an order from the court to arrest someone. It is issued when a defendant does not attend a scheduled court appearance or skips bail as per Texas penal code 38.10. Police use a bench warrant to track down and arrest the defendant.

Citizens can perform a bench warrant lookup at the Guadalupe County Court that initially issued the warrant. Individuals can perform a bench warrant lookup in the records room of the Guadalupe County Court. Staff at the records room will need the name of the person on the bench warrant to search for the warrant. Interested persons may also use public access terminals at the county courthouse to search for bench warrants issued within any period.

Free Warrant Search

Warrant searches performed at any government institution are free. Access to warrants in Texas is a public service needed to keep citizens informed about persons wanted concerning criminal activities. Law enforcement may also waive photocopy fees and provide physical lists of active warrants at no cost.

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes, one unofficial source where interested persons can check warrants online is through third-party sites. Third-party websites are privately owned repositories that can be remotely searched using the names of persons on a public document. Aside from warrants, third-party sites can also search for other public records such as court, criminal, and arrest records. Most third-party websites are free to use and only need users to register with their personal information to use them. However, third-party sites may charge fees or memberships to provide detailed records.

Do Warrants Expire?

Yes, but it depends on the type of warrant. An arrest warrant in Texas is valid until it is executed, which results in the person being taken into custody or until a judge recalls or revokes it. Most warrants have no set expiration date, so they can stay in effect indefinitely until an arrest happens. However, if a warrant is for a misdemeanor, the statute of limitations for prosecution may eventually affect its enforcement, typically ranging from 2 to 3 years, depending on the charge.

Search warrants are valid for 3-15 days, depending on the type issued by the magistrate, as per Crim. Proc. Code art. 18.07. After the validity period has expired, the warrant must be returned to the issuing judge and renewed.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

Interested individuals can use the following options to check clear active warrants without turning themselves in to law enforcement.

• Hire a lawyer: Depending on the charge, a lawyer can negotiate with the court to revoke their warrant without going to jail.
• Hire a bondman to pay the bail if set.
• Go to the court that issued it: If the visitor voluntarily appears in court, they will not be arrested because they are believed to be sincerely attempting to address the warrant.

It is important to note that if the warrant for the arrest were issued for a suspected felony, it would be challenging to avoid jail time.