Johnson County Warrant Search

A warrant is a written order that empowers law enforcement agencies to conduct certain activities, such as arrests or searches. This document is usually issued by the court when law enforcement agencies establish probable cause that a crime has been committed when they suspect an individual of committing a crime or possessing items related to a crime, or when a person fails to appear for a court hearing or disregards fines, parking tickets, or other court orders.

Johnson County warrant searches are crucial because they enable people to determine whether they are the subject of any pending warrants. This allows them to resolve the matter proactively and avoid potential legal issues. Interested persons may initiate a warrant search in Johnson County by contacting the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the local police department, the District Court, the County Court, the Office of Court Administration, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The process usually involves providing personal identification and the subject's name.

Johnson County arrest records may also be valuable resources for individuals searching for warrants. These records provide details about active warrants and other criminal history records.

Are Johnson County Warrants Public Records?

Warrants are considered public records in Johnson County. Per Article 18.01(b) and Article 15.26 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, arrest warrants, and search warrants are available for public inspection during working hours at the court clerk's office as soon as they are executed.

However, some information may be redacted from a warrant to protect individuals' personal information and prevent the compromise of an ongoing investigation.

Types of Warrants in Johnson County

The most common types of warrants issued in Johnson County include:

• Search Warrant: This is defined by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.01 as a written order issued by a magistrate to a law enforcement officer directing them to search for a thing or property and to bring the same before the magistrate.
• Bench Warrants: This is a written order issued by a magistrate to a law enforcement officer directing them to apprehend someone and bring them before the judge for contempt of court.
• Arrest Warrant: Article 15.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure defines an arrest warrant as a written order issued by a magistrate to a law enforcement officer directing them to apprehend and detain a person accused of an offense to serve the course of justice.

Do I Have a Warrant in Johnson County?

Individuals who have one reason or the other to believe that a warrant exists in their name may explore the following options to ascertain the existence of such:

• Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Texas
• County Clerk's Office
• District Clerk's Office
• Office of Court Administration
• Texas Department of Public Safety.

Active Warrant Search in Johnson County

Interested persons may utilize the resources available through the court system and local law enforcement agencies to obtain details about active warrants in Johnson County. Since the court issues all types of warrants, the first logical stop in the search for warrants is the court handling the case. Law enforcement officials are also a significant source of information about outstanding warrants, particularly those about arrests, as they are in charge of executing warrants.

Arrest Warrant Search

Those seeking information about active arrest warrants in Johnson County typically begin their search by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency. Typically, the search process entails contacting the local police department in charge of the region in question or the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. To facilitate the search, requesters are required to provide specific identifying details such as a full name, date of birth, and other pertinent information that may be necessary.

Bench Warrant Lookup

The court issues Bench warrants when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date. Individuals seeking information about active bench warrants in Johnson County can typically initiate their search by contacting the court clerk where the warrant was issued. For bench warrants issued by the District Court or County Court, requesters may contact the Clerks of the Courts using the details below:

District Court Clerk
Guinn Justice Center
204 South Buffalo Avenue
Cleburne, Texas 76033
Phone: (817) 556-6839
Fax: (817) 556-6120
Email: JCDC@johnsoncountytx.org

Johnson County Clerk
Guinn Justice Center
204 South Buffalo Avenue
P.O. Box 662
Cleburne, TX 76033
Phone: (817) 556-6323
Email: countyclerk@jocotx.org.

Bench warrants are also available on the websites of some municipal courts. For example, the City of Cleburne Municipal Court provides access to active bench warrants through the Active Warrant List on its website.

Free Warrant Search

In Johnson County, the public's right to access information regarding active warrants is generally upheld. Consistent with Texas law, judicial and law enforcement agencies typically do not charge fees for confirming an individual's name against their active warrant lists or for searching their online databases.

However, while it is established that a warrant search is free, requesters may incur costs for obtaining copies of official records.

Can You Check Johnson County Warrants Online?

Third-party websites and unofficial sources offer ways to search for active warrants online, but caution is necessary when using these platforms. Although they provide convenient access to public records, the information may lack accuracy or completeness and could omit recent updates.

Do Johnson County Warrants Expire?

In Johnson County, warrants usually remain active until they are executed, withdrawn, or resolved. Unlike legal orders, most warrants do not have a predetermined expiration date.

An exception applies to search warrants, which have specific time limits established under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure depending on their purpose. For instance, Chapter 18, Article 18.07 of the Code specifies that search warrants for DNA specimens are valid for up to 15 days, while other search warrants may have shorter durations. Arrest warrants, however, are perpetually enforced and never expire. An arrest warrant may be carried out by law enforcement at any time and from any location in the state.

How to Clear a Johnson County Warrant Without Going to Jail

Persons with an active warrant in Dallas County can explore several options to resolve the warrant without immediate incarceration. These include the following:

• Online Payment: The presiding court's web payment facility allows warrant payments online. Upon permission from the court, they may also pay by phone, mail, or in person. Nevertheless, this payment will result in a guilty conviction equivalent to a guilty or no-contest plea.
• Posting of Bond: Post a cash, surety, or lawyer bail for the warrant and get a new court date (if the defendant never showed up for court).
• Visit the issuing court: Go to the court that issued it. The visitor will not be arrested if they voluntarily appear in court because they are believed to be sincerely attempting to address the warrant.