Texas Warrant Search
How to Run a Texas Warrant Search
The process of conducting a Texas warrant search can be complicated if you don't have a good starting point. Since warrants are issued on a county level, you'll first want to know what county to begin your research in. This process also involves understanding the difference between bench and arrest warrants, which can help you to find the correct online resources for your research.
Once you've identified the county and warrant type, you can begin your Texas county warrant search. With this type of search you have a few online options that you can resource this information from. You can use either county courthouse website, law enforcement sites, or privately run public record databases. We will go over your research options are, and how some resources offer more detailed information than others.
How to Check for Warrants in Texas For Free
A quick and easy way to check for active Texas warrants for free is to contact local police departments, sheriff departments, and county courthouses. The only caveat to this process is you will need to know what county to check. A good example of this is if you want to run a warrant search in Ellis County Texas. You can start by contacting the Ellis County Sheriff Department and inquiring over the phone or in person. Many government sites do not have the ability to search for these through their sites directly so you may need to call them for your request.
The Difference Between Bench and Arrest Warrants
There are two main types of warrants: bench and arrest. Each serves a different purpose and carries a very different set of legal implications.
A TX bench warrant are usually issued by the courts when someone misses a court appearance or fails a court order. This could be for jury duty, a hearing, or most any other court appearance. These are issued by a judge as an official summons to appear in court. These are not offenses that typically result in a person's arrest, however if ignored it can eventually lead to that.
On the other hand, a TX arrest warrant is issued by the courts when someone has allegedly committed a crime. There must be solid evidence of a crime, or an affidavit by law enforcement, which is basically sworn testimony to that effect. These lead to a persons apprehension and detainment until they can appear in court. These more often than not lead to a criminal conviction, and a possible incarceration depending on the outcome of the situation.
Do I Have a Warrant in Texas?
This is a fairly common question and search query that many people ask if they have missed a court appearance, violated their probation, or committed some type of crime. Since these are part of the public records system, anyone can find out if they have an active warrant with various online resources.
Since making an inquiry with law enforcement can lead to someone's immediate arrest, many people take to public record websites. Many of these sites offer anonymous online searching to find out if they have anything issued in their name. All you need to access these resources is to find a reliable online public records website, enter your full name and see if there are any hits. Most of these sites will charge a small fee to access this information and run a background check on yourself.
Steps to Take if You Have a Warrant
If you discover that you have an active warrant it is important not to delay dealing with it. There are some simple steps you can take to deal with the situation, and protect your rights. The first step is to consult with a lawyer or legal professional. They can help you understand what your situation is and guide you to the best possible outcome. Taking this step can help to mitigate some of the issues you are facing and possibly get you a reduced sentence. A lawyer will also let you know what your rights are and help you surrender to the authorities if that is a necessary step.
If you avoid addressing these immediately, then you may receive additional charges, fines and jail time. These do not go away and it if you want to move past your situation it is best to deal with it head on. This will also show the courts that you are being compliant and can help you to get the most favorable outcome.
