Understanding Warrant Checks in Texas
To find out if there’s an active warrant for you in Texas, reach out to your county court or the sheriff’s office. Alternatively, the Texas Office of Court Administration offers an online platform at Texas Courts for searching warrants across various counties.
Do You Have a Warrant in Texas? Many situations, such as unpaid child support, missing a court date, or not paying fines, can lead to an arrest warrant in Texas. This might mean facing arrest at home, work, or school.
Local Government Warrants Local counties and cities can issue warrants for various misdemeanors and felonies. Usually, arrest warrants are issued post-investigation, including in DWI cases, where blood warrants are increasingly common. Texas warrant checks can be done through the Department of Public Safety’s Criminal History Search.
Warrant Types in Texas Warrants in Texas are mainly of two types: arrest warrants for serious misdemeanors and felonies, and Capias Pro-fine warrants for unpaid court fines. Response to tickets, court orders, community service, and probation terms are typical causes for warrant issuance.
Conducting a Warrant Check To check for warrants, contact local law enforcement or use online databases like Texas.gov. It’s advisable to consult a lawyer for guidance.
Texas Department of Public Safety Warrant Search This platform allows Texans to search for outstanding warrants and check their driver license records for any warrants or convictions.
Checking for County Warrants Local sheriff’s offices are the go-to places for checking county warrants. Online searches via the Texas Department of Public Safety are also useful.
Sheriff’s Office Checks In-person or phone inquiries at the Sheriff’s Office can reveal warrant status. Expect to be arrested if you visit in person.
City-Specific Warrant Information Different Texas cities provide various channels for warrant checks, like online databases and direct contact with law enforcement.
Caution in Warrant Checks Be cautious about directly contacting law enforcement, as this can lead to immediate arrest.
Texas Warrant Roundup This annual event focuses on clearing outstanding warrants, with potential consequences for unpaid fines or unresolved legal issues.
Roundup Warrant Implications Paying off fines can have repercussions like points on your license or increased insurance premiums.
Handling Active Warrants An attorney can often help remove warrants, especially for Class C misdemeanors, through surety bonds and court representation.
FAQs: Texas Warrants Common questions include how to check for warrants, whether they are public records, implications of having a warrant, and legal steps to resolve them.
Conclusion Regular warrant checks in Texas are vital for legal compliance and peace of mind. Online resources and legal assistance are available for managing any outstanding warrants.
Do you have a warrant for your arrest in Texas? Would you like a free Texas warrant search? Texas is the second most populous state in the United States.
It’s also home to more than 1,800 law enforcement agencies and courts. This article will provide information on how you can search for arrest records and warrants in Texas.
Should Texans worry about the TEXAS WARRANT ROUNDUP?
Beginning each year in March, the Texas Warrant Roundup is a period of heightened law enforcement activity throughout Texas.
During this time, local police departments and other law enforcement agencies work together to enforce bench warrants issued by judges across the state.
For individuals with outstanding warrants, it is important to understand the seriousness of their situation and take appropriate steps to avoid arrest during the Warrant Roundup.
Although there is no need for panic, Texans with warrants should be aware that they could potentially be subject to arrest if they are stopped by a police officer.
To ensure that you do not become a target during the Warrant Roundup, check for any outstanding warrants in your name at your local courthouse or by contacting your attorney’s office.
If you find that you do have an active warrant against you, immediately arrange to post bond or hire an attorney to request a hearing date with the court.
By taking these steps, you can minimize your risk of being arrested during this period of increased enforcement activity.
Warrant Search Texas – Do I have an active warrant?
If you are reading this, it is likely that you were arrested or know someone who was. There are many reasons why an individual is taken into custody by the police without warning.
That includes outstanding warrants for their arrest, failing to appear in court on a previous charge and more.
It is imperative to find out if there is. Then find out if you have an active warrant for your arrest in Texas. Then you can take the necessary steps to avoid being re-arrested.
There are different ways to find out if there is an active warrant for your arrest. They vary depending on where you live and what type of crime was committed.
Search by different categories depending upon the severity of the crime.
Searches produce records from the most wanted fugitives to probation violators in each state and county.
The Great Texas Warrant Roundup
Do not wait until the Texas Warrant Roundup happens in the beginning of every February. If you wait, you, like thousands, will be arrested.
CRS Public Site will return public criminal record information.
Call (512) 424-7256 for a missing or incorrect record.
If you need a copy of your own ARREST record IN TEXAS which contains information not available on the public website, please call 512-424-2474. for information about other ways to receive record information.
Some of the offenses for which criminal record categories exist in each county are:
- Probation violators
- Justice of peace and DA’s most wanted
- Most wanted sex offenders
- Misdemeanor warrants
- Felony warrants
- Bench warrants
- Alias warrants
- Child support evader warrants
Texas Arrest Warrant Records by local Sheriff Departments
Another way to search for Texas Warrants is by your local Sheriff Department.
Check for warrants for free online
HARRIS COUNTY Warrant Search Houston Free of Charge
Find your felony and misdemeanor warrants on the Harris County District Clerk’s website.
Online Services: Search Harris County Records and Documents.
Austin Texas Warrant Search Online
Find your felony and misdemeanor warrants in Travis County by name or cause number.
Or, search the Austin Police Department Warrant Search.
Who can request a warrant search and arrest records in Texas?
Anyone who wants to find out if someone has an outstanding arrest warrant in Texas can do so.
There are several ways to find out if someone has an active arrest warrant. That includes whether it is for non-payment of child support or allecommitting some other type of crime.
Solving crimes involving people who have committed acts against children receive priority when searching for records at any law enforcement agency.
In Texas, a person can search for active arrest warrants from the various police departments and county sheriff’s offices that have an online presence on their websites.
In some cases, private companies offer this type of service as well through paid subscriptions.
However, these types of services usually provide more detailed information about wanted persons than what is available to the public.
What can be seized in a Texas Search Warrant?
The police can get a search warrant in Texas if they have a good reason to believe that you have drugs, controlled substances, or other items that are illegal.
The police can also get a search warrant if they think you have something that is evidence of a crime. This could be something like tools used to commit the crime, or property related to the crime.
The following is a summary. Research Texas code 18.02 for the exact language.
The police can get a search warrant to look for things like:
-contraband (illegal things) that is subject to being taken away by the government under a law called Chapter 59.
-information that is stored electronically about communications, like what was said in emails or text messages, as well as records of those communications
-cell phones and other wireless communication devices.
The grounds for a search warrant in Texas are:
(1) property that was stolen or acquired in a way that is illegal;
(2) property that is specially designed for or commonly used in the commission of an offense;
(3) arms and munitions that are kept or prepared for the purpose of causing an insurrection or a riot;
(4) any weapons that are prohibited by law;
(5) gambling devices or equipment, altered gambling equipment, or gambling paraphernalia; and
(6) obscene materials that are kept or prepared for commercial distribution.
(7) a drug, controlled substance, immediate precursor, chemical precursor, or other controlled substance property, including an apparatus or paraphernalia kept, prepared, or manufactured in violation of the laws of this state;
(8) any property the possession of which is prohibited by law;
(9) implements or instruments used in the commission of a crime;
(10) evidence of an offense or evidence that a particular person committed an offense;
(11) persons;
12) Contraband that can be seized under Chapter 59 of this code;
(13) Records of electronic customer data, including the contents of and records and other information related to a wire communication or electronic communication, that is held in electronic storage; or
(14) A cellular telephone or other wireless communications device, subject to Article 18.0215.
(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(13):
(1) “Electronic communication” and “wire communication” have the meanings assigned by Article 18A.001.
(2) “Electronic customer data” and “electronic storage” have the meanings assigned by Article 18B.001
How long is a warrant active in Texas?
Warrants have different time periods that they are active. This depends on the type of warrant and why the court issued it.
In Texas, there is a time limit for when a law enforcement officer can search the person or property named in the warrant.
After this time limit expires, the warrant is no longer valid. If the court finds that there is still probable cause for a search or seizure, they may issue a new warrant.
Other warrants like arrest warrants and bench warrants typically stay active until the defendant resolves it or a judge recalls it.
These warrants do not become inactive, even if it takes a long time or if the subject moves to another location.
Active arrest warrants searches in Texas can be free
View active arrest warrants in Texas online. It is free to anyone who searches the appropriate databases and websites.
The records will provide information such as: name, date of birth and any aliases; height and weight; eye color; last known address or location of arrest; city, state and county of offense; type of crime committed, the date when it happened and what agency issued the warrant.
First-time offenders are arrested on misdemeanor charges for crimes such as theft or drug possession.
Felony arrests usually involve violent acts against people where there is an outstanding arrest warrant in Texas. That is to detain a person who was convicted of committing this kind of crime in the past.
Tarrant County Jail Case Lookup and Inmate Search
From a child support enforcement perspective, Texas has an online service that displays parents with an arrest warrant. Due to failing to pay court-ordered financial contributions toward their children’s upbringing.
This same website allows anyone with access to search and view information about people wanted by any state agency.
That includes Department of Family and Protective Services, Department of Public Safety or the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
Who can search for warrants and criminal records in Texas?
Active Warrant Search and Arrest Records In Texas is an individual right per The Texas Public Commission Act. Anyone can access them without any difficulty.
Government officials cannot ask why a citizen wants to view their records. It is the legal right of every individual to view the records of any one in the system.
There is only one limitation. The limitation is that government is not bound to send the records to an individual upon request.
SEVERAL WAYS How to check for warrants for free in Texas
Access the CCH Database
Search criminal records in Texas by county or for the entire state. Texas is divided into North Texas, South and Central Texas, West Texas and East central Texas.
It is better to search criminal records in Texas by County. This way, you can get complete information about any offender who has warrants issued in various different counties. You can do the warrant search in Texas online or a manual request.
For a manual request to access the records and warrants of a person under the Texas Public Commission Act : a written requisition has to be submitted with a fee.
TEXAS WARRANT SEARCH BY COUNTY
For online warrant searches in Texas, there are many county run websites where information related to search warrants and criminal records are accessible by everyone. The Texas Judicial Branch provides an interactive map of the counties.
However, several counties do not offer online information. In such a case where online criminal records are not available, submit a request to the Sheriffs department.
Create a Computerized Criminal History (CCH) ACCOUNT
Create your private account
The Computerized Criminal History System (CCH) is the statewide repository of criminal history record information (CHRI). Local criminal justice agencies in Texas report the information to DPS. Requirements to set up the account include:
- Account Type: Business or Individual
- Email: Public for a business or Private for an individual
- Phone Number
- Last Name
- First Name
- US Address (Texas or Other Selection)
Required information to access individual warrant searches:
- Full name of the person in question
- City name
- State or county name
- Approximate age
Details acquired through criminal records search in Texas
Access the following information by requesting the criminal records and search warrants:
- Date the charge or charges were filed
- Date of crimes
- Description of crimes
- Category of the crime
- Dates of conviction, disposition, sentencing or probation
- Fines charged
Arrest Record Details
Search Public Site DPS Records for arrest record details. This link provides a description of information on the arrest record. Examples include:
Level & Degree of Arrest Offense Level (Felony or Misdemeanor) and degree (Capital, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, State Jail “A” or “B”) of offense charged during arrest
Prosecutor Case Referred to: ORI of prosecutor case is referred to by the arresting agency immediately after arrest.
Court Fine : Monetary fine amounts established by court decision Multiple Sent. Concurrent/ConsecutiveThe sentence of confinement is concurrent or consecutive with other sentences.
Different types of warrants and their consequences
There are two types of warrants in the state of Texas. Class C and Class B. The most common type is a class c misdemeanor. It carries with it up to a $500 fine and/or 180 days in jail plus court costs.
TEXAS issues a warrant for many reasons. Some warrants in Texas include missing jury duty or not paying child support.
A Texas warrant is issued for not showing up for a court date. There are felony warrants as well.
But those typically are issued from another state. It can carry with them federal charges as well as local charges in Texas. These allow officers to immediately arrest you without even having probable cause of any crime at all.
A Class B misdemeanor is issued with a fine of up to $2000. Also, and/or as much as one year in jail.
Contact an attorney if arrested for any type of felony. Do that before your arrest so they can begin working on your case immediately.
Child Support Arrest Warrant in Texas
If you do not make child support payments when they are due in Texas, you may be arrested.
A child support arrest warrant is a type of warrant that the Texas court system will issue if you owe more than $5000 in child support, if you are six months or more behind on your payments, or if you are not on public assistance or going through bankruptcy. If you do not pay your child support, the court can find you in contempt of court.
This means that you may have to pay fines and go to jail. In Texas, the law says that it is a crime to not pay your child support.
This crime is called “criminal non-support.” It is a state jail felony, which means that you could go to jail for up to two years. The Texas Attorney General’s office can garnish your wages or paycheck, suspend your driver’s license and put a lien on your property.
Active Warrant Search and Arrest Records In Texas online or by mail
Warrant Searches in Texas
What are some tips for avoiding arrest during and after a warrant search in Texas?
1. Stay calm and be polite if law enforcement officers show up at your door.
2. Do not resist arrest or interfere with a warrant search.
3. Do not lie to law enforcement officers or give them false information.
4. Cooperate with the officers and answer any questions they have.
5. If you are arrested, ask for a lawyer as soon as possible.
6. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney if you need legal assistance.
How can you protect your privacy during and after a warrant search in Texas?
If you are the subject of a warrant search in Texas, it is important to understand your rights and how to protect your privacy. During the search, police may have access to your home and property, as well as your personal belongings and communications.
After the search is complete, the police will likely create a report that includes detailed information about the search and any evidence or items seized. This report can be used in future criminal proceedings against you.
First, there are several things you can do to protect your privacy during and after a warrant search in Texas:
1. Remain silent: You have the right to remain silent during a warrant search. You should not answer any questions from the police, and you should not sign any documents. If you are arrested, you should ask for a lawyer.
2. Refuse to consent to a search: You can refuse to consent to a search of your home or property. However, the police may still be able to conduct a search if they have a warrant.
3. Request a copy of the search warrant and report: If the police conduct a warrant search at your home, ask them to show you the search warrant. The search warrant should list the items that were seized during the search. You also have the right to request a copy of the police report generated after the search.
4. Challenge the validity of the search warrant: If you believe that the search warrant was invalid or obtained illegally, you can challenge the warrant in court.
5. Contact a lawyer: If you are arrested or charged with a crime, you should contact a lawyer right away. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect your privacy during the criminal proceedings.
Arrest Warrant vs. Search Warrant in Texas
In Texas, there are six types of warrants: search warrants, arrest warrants, bench warrants, capias pro fine warrants, felony arrest warrants, and family violence arrest warrants.
1. A search warrant is a written order authorizing law enforcement officers to enter and search a specific location for evidence of a crime.
2. An arrest warrant is a written order authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest a specific person accused of committing a crime.
3. A bench warrant is a written order issued by a judge for the arrest of a person who has failed to appear in court.
4. A capias pro fine warrant is a written order authorizing law enforcement officers to take into custody and bring before the court any person who has failed to pay a fine or comply with a court order.
5. A felony arrest warrant is a written order authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest a person accused of committing a felony.
6. A family violence arrest warrant is a written order authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest a person accused of committing family violence. Family violence is defined as an act or threatened act of violence by one family or household member against another. It includes any behavior that is designed to control, intimidate, or coerce the victim and can include physical, sexual, emotional, or economic abuse.
Search and Seizure
Some warrants are issued for arrest, while others are for search and seizure. Arrest warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate and allow law enforcement to take an individual into custody.
Search warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate and allow law enforcement to search an individual’s home or property for evidence related to a crime.
Seizure warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate and allow law enforcement to seize an individual’s property if it is believed to be connected to a crime.
Different types of warrants have different requirements and procedures.
For example, an arrest warrant must be based on probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the individual named in the warrant is the one who committed the crime.
A search warrant must state the specific place to be searched and the items that are to be seized. A seizure warrant must describe the property that is to be seized.
What is the difference between a bench warrant and a search warrant in Texas?
A bench warrant is issued by a judge, while a search warrant is issued by a law enforcement officer. A bench warrant is typically used to arrest a person who has failed to appear in court, while a search warrant is used to search for and seize evidence or property that is believed to be connected to a crime.
How can you clear a warrant in Texas?
If you have an outstanding warrant, you will need to take action to resolve the issue. This may involve appearing in court, paying fines, or serving jail time. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to have the warrant cleared through an attorney.
What happens if you ignore an arrest warrant in Texas?
If you ignore an arrest warrant, you could face various penalties, including jail time, fines, and an increased chance of being arrested.
What if I am arrested without a warrant in Texas?
If you are arrested without a warrant, you have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. You also have the right to have your case heard in front of a judge within 48 hours. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.
What types of information can be found in a warrant?
Warrant records typically contain information about the charges that have been filed against the individual in question, as well as when and where the warrant was issued. In some cases, you may also be able to find information about the amount of bail that has been set for the individual.
How to check if I have a warrant in Texas?
There are a few ways to find out if someone has a warrant for their arrest in Texas.
1. The first way is to check the online database of the Texas Department of Public Safety. This database is updated daily and will show any active warrants that have been issued by a Texas court. The Computerized Criminal History System (CCH) is the statewide repository of criminal history record information (CHRI) reported to DPS by local criminal justice agencies in Texas. Requirements to set up the account include:
Account Type: Business or Individual
Email: Public for a business or Private for an individual
Phone Number
Last Name
First Name
US Address (Texas or Other Selection)
2. Another way to find out if someone has a warrant for their arrest in Texas is to contact the local sheriff’s office or police department. Sheriff’s offices keep records of all warrants that have been issued in their county, and police departments will have information on warrants that have been issued within their city limits.
3. Search by County. Search criminal records in Texas by county or for the entire state. Texas is divided into North Texas, South and Central Texas, West Texas and East central Texas. It is better to search criminal records in Texas by County. This way, you can get complete information about any offender who has warrants issued in various different counties.
Who can search for warrants and criminal records in Texas?
Active Warrant Search and Arrest Records In Texas is an individual right per The Texas Public Commission Act. Anyone can access them without any difficulty. Government officials cannot ask why a citizen wants to view their records.
It is the legal right of every individual to view the records of any one in the system. Anyone who wants to find out if someone has an outstanding arrest warrant in Texas can do so by performing a simple search on the internet.
There are several ways to find out if someone has an active arrest warrant, whether it is for paying child support or committing some other type of crime.
Solving crimes involving people who have committed acts against children usually receive priority when searching for records at any law enforcement agency. In Texas, a person can search for active arrest warrants from the various police departments and county sheriff’s offices that have an online presence on their websites. In some cases, private companies offer this type of service as well through paid subscriptions. However, these types of services usually provide more detailed information about wanted persons than what is available to the public.
What are the details acquired when checking for warrants in Texas?
Access the following information by requesting the criminal records and search warrants:
When the charge or charges were filed
Date of crimes
Description of crimes
Category of the crime
Dates of conviction, disposition, sentencing or probation
Fines charged
How long do you stay in jail for jumping bail or for a warrant for missing a court date?
If you don’t go to court in Texas, the court can charge you with a criminal offense. The length of time you stay in jail depends on the offense the court charges you with.
In Texas, if you miss your court date or run away, you might get a misdemeanor or felony charge. As provided by Texas Penal Code – PENAL § 38.10, if someone is released from custody and they don’t go to their required court date, that person may be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.