Law

Do I have an arrest warrant out for me?

Maybe? I’m just a writer, and I don’t even know your name. However, what I do know is how to find out the answer to your question, and I’ll happily provide you with the resources necessary to discover if you have an arrest warrant out for yourself.

What is an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant is a document, granted by a court of law, that provides law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. If you have an arrest warrant out for yourself, you will be arrested the next time you make contact with a police officer. As such, it’s incredibly important to know if you have one and to understand what you need to do if you do.

How can I find an arrest warrant?

Arrest warrants are public records and are typically accessible via the Freedom of Information Act. However, there are a variety of ways to obtain one, differing in degrees of ease and intelligence. Starting with…

  • An online public records database

“What’s an online public records database?” you may ask. Well, it’s simply a website, like SpyFly, that contains billions of public records. These public records would include an arrest warrant filed under your name and will possess the same information that’s contained in the physical copy of the warrant. Notably, SpyFly doesn’t alert law enforcement of your search, meaning you can look yourself up without fear that your door will be knocked down.

  • Visit the police department that contains the arrest warrant

Since the arrest warrant is a physical document, the police station that’s been issued it will certainly have a copy of it. If you visit them, simply speak with an officer on duty, and they’ll be able to assist you in your search.

If you’re a clever person, you’ve probably noticed this method has one, glaring flaw. Police. While I have nothing against our boys in blue, if you do have an arrest warrant out for yourself, visiting a law enforcement department is the fastest way to get arrested. Though an officer on duty will definitely help you out, the only two outcomes of the search are “nothing was found, you’re good to go”, or having your rights read to you.

  • Visit the court that filed the arrest warrant

Since a court had to draft the warrant, going to that court to determine if there’s a warrant is a way you can obtain a copy of the warrant. However do note that the county clerk may see fit to notify law enforcement of your inquiry, which can result in a stakeout of your mailbox. Moreover, they may take time to acquire the warrant, as most county clerks have a long queue of work and requests awaiting them.

  • Contact an attorney

If you have access to a lawyer already, this is a good option. Most law offices pay for a legal database, which provides them with arrest warrants, among other things. However, if you’re not a client, they’re not required to help you. Moreover, you can expect a hefty consultation fee to be charged. If you’re wrong, and there is no arrest warrant, then you’ll have spent a considerable amount of money for no reason.

Now, I feel it’s important to say that if you do have an arrest warrant out for yourself, the best thing you can do is speak with an attorney. Do not attempt to evade arrest, and make sure you’re approaching this on the best footing possible. A lawyer can provide great advice, and tell you what your next step is.

SpyFly provides consumers affordable, immediate access to public record information. Federal laws prohibit businesses from using SpyFly’s service to make decisions about employment, insurance, consumer credit, tenant screening, or for any other purpose subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq.