Maricopa County, Arizona Warrant Search

In Maricopa County, warrant searches are inquiries into warrants issued by the county’s government agencies. Persons or entities may conduct searches for warrants by using resources or request options provided by these agencies. For example, you may find active warrants by using the Maricopa County Sheriff’s warrant search tool. The superior court, on the other hand, allows in-person inquiries about warrants issued at the courthouse.

Warrant searches may bring up the defendant’s personal information, such as the name, physical features, and address. Additionally, the document may include the date and time of warrant issuance, the reasons for the warrant, and the court official’s signature.

Warrants are court documents that authorize law enforcement officers to apprehend persons named on the document. Not all warrants result in arrests, as some may require the defendant to take specific actions.

Why Conduct a Warrant Search in Maricopa County?

In Maricopa County, persons or entities may conduct searches for warrants due to these reasons:

• To confirm their legal status: You may conduct a warrant search to determine if there’s an active warrant in your name. This proactive action helps you to avoid being arrested in public spaces. It might also help your case in court if you surrendered willingly to arresting officers.
• To determine which agency issued the warrant: Searches for warrants reveal which agency issued the warrant, and this might help you to easily resolve them.
• To conduct background checks: Warrants may include information about a person’s crimes and criminal history. Thus, employers or business partners may use this information to conduct background checks before hiring or forming partnerships.
• To prepare for a legal case: Legal representatives may use information in warrants to prepare court cases. For example, attorneys may examine search warrants to assess whether there was sufficient probable cause to search the defendant's property.

How to Perform a Maricopa County Warrant Search Online

In Maricopa County, interested persons may search for warrants through online platforms provided by specific agencies. These agencies are either responsible for issuing or executing warrants in the county. For example, you can look up warrants via the Superior Court’s criminal case search platform. The platform provides information on active and resolved arrest and bench warrants. To view records on the platform, inquirers must fill out any of these search options:

• Case search by case party names.
• Search by initials and date of birth.
• Search by case number.

The Superior Court also maintains online search portals for warrants issued by the probate, family, civil, and tax courts. Case parties may view court-issued warrants via the ECR Online platform. This platform requires case parties to register an account before they can access records. On the other hand, the docket web search allows access to case information, minute entries, and court calendars.

At the same time, you may view arrest warrants via the county sheriff’s online warrant searchable database. You only need to provide the record subject’s name to view warrant information on the database. Note that the sheriff’s office might only provide information on active arrest warrants.

How to Check for Outstanding Warrants in Maricopa County by Phone or In Person

The Clerk of the Maricopa Superior Court allows in-person access to outstanding warrants issued in the county courthouses. Inquirers can access this information by visiting these locations during regular business hours:

To get copies of records at these locations, inquirers must provide relevant specifics about the record, like the defendant’s name and warrant issuance year. The clerk of the superior court may charge copy fees before disclosing the court documents.

Inquirers may view information about warrants via the public access computers at these locations. Note that these computers do not have options for copying or downloading documents.

Note: Inquirers can access copies of warrants on the same day of making the request.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Search Process

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office executes warrants issued by the superior court. In addition, the county sheriff keeps records of all issued warrants and may disclose them to interested parties. Persons or entities seeking to access these records may visit any of the county sheriff’s offices or a local police department. The county sheriff accepts in-person requests at this address:

The county sheriff will, upon receiving the request, search their database and provide the requested warrant information to the requester. Warrants received from the county sheriff may include these details:

• The defendant’s name and physical features, like race, body markings, and gender.
• Last known address of the defendant.
• The alleged crime classification and description.
• Warrant issuance date and time.
• Court document number.
• Court official’s name and signature.

Accessing Public Records Related to Warrants in Maricopa County

In Maricopa County, you may find information about active and resolved warrants in related public files like court case records and arrest logs. You can access court case records either by using online searchable portals or the request options provided by the superior court in Maricopa. To access the documents in person, inquirers are generally required to provide relevant information to the court clerk at these locations:

Note that not all court information is accessible to the general public. While warrant information is publicly accessible, confidential court information is redacted from public view.

Types of Warrants Issued in Maricopa County

Maricopa County Superior Courts issue different types of warrants based on factors like the preceding event. For example, the court may issue arrest warrants upon receiving complaints or affidavits from arresting officers. Warrants may also serve different functions, as some might require the defendant to be arrested while others require the defendant to complete specific actions.

With that being said, here are the types of warrants issued in Maricopa County:

• Arrest warrants: Court judges issue arrest warrants to authorize the arrest of persons suspected of breaking the law. The judge may issue warrants upon receiving an affidavit or complaint from arresting officers. An arrest warrant commands law enforcement officers to arrest and book the defendant.
• Bench warrants: Court magistrates, judges, or commissioners issue bench warrants when an individual fails to appear for a court summons or refuses to comply with a court order. A bench warrant authorizes police officers to arrest the defendant and bring them before the court within 24 hours.
• Search warrant: Search warrants are written orders that authorize the police to search for missing properties or persons. The court may only issue a search warrant if there is probable cause for it.

How Long Warrants Remain Active in Maricopa County

In Maricopa County, arrest and bench warrants do not have an expiration date. These warrants remain active until the defendant is arrested. The court judge may also resolve or nullify warrants.

However, search warrants have a 5-day expiration date. Police officers are only required to conduct searches within the specified timeframe.

What To Do if You Find an Outstanding Warrant in Maricopa County

In Maricopa County, you may resolve outstanding warrants via these steps:

• Surrender at the nearest local police department: Self-surrender saves you from public arrests, which might damage your reputation. It may also help you secure better judgment in a convicting court.
• Contact and visit the court that issued the warrant: You can resolve some warrants by contacting the court that issued them. The court clerk may provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take towards resolving them.
• Use an attorney or bail bond company to resolve outstanding warrants.These professionals provide legal guidance and file necessary documents with the court.