Fresno Warrant Lookup

Fresno warrant records are maintained by the Fresno Police Department Records Unit and the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. This Central Valley city has over 540,000 residents, making it the fifth largest city in California. Warrant checks can be done through the police Records Unit or by calling the Sheriff at (559) 488-3993. The Fresno County Superior Court also has an online portal for case searches. All warrants issued in Fresno are kept on file with law enforcement and the court.

Fresno Police Department Records Unit

The Fresno Police Department Records Unit is at 2323 Mariposa Mall. You can call the Records Unit at (559) 621-2534. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Warrant checks must be done in person with valid photo ID. The department does not share warrant info over the phone. If you want to know if you have a warrant, you need to visit the Records Unit with your ID.

Fresno Police works with the Fresno County Sheriff and the Superior Court to serve warrants. If a judge issues a bench warrant, the police receive a copy and enter it into the system. They also obtain arrest warrants from magistrates when they have probable cause that a crime was committed. All warrants are entered into a statewide database that any California law enforcement officer can access during traffic stops or other encounters.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office also handles warrant info. You can call the Sheriff at (559) 488-3993 to check on warrants. The Sheriff's Records Division is at 2200 Fresno Street. Their phone is (559) 600-8401. The Warrants Unit can be reached at (559) 600-8402. The Sheriff serves warrants throughout Fresno County and works with local police departments like Fresno PD.

Fresno County Superior Court

Fresno cases are heard in the Fresno County Superior Court. The county has an online public portal at Fresno County Court Portal. You can search for criminal and traffic cases by name or case number. The system uses Tyler Technologies Odyssey Portal and shows case info, court dates, and whether a bench warrant was issued. Some case details may be restricted for privacy, but most criminal cases are public.

The court portal is free to use and does not require an account. You can look up cases and see basic info like charges, court dates, and bail amounts. If a bench warrant was issued, it should appear in the case file. The portal covers cases from recent years, but older cases may not be in the electronic system. If you cannot find your case online, call the Criminal Division at the courthouse.

To clear a bench warrant through the court, you can post bail if the warrant has a bail amount set. You can also appear at the courthouse for a warrant surrender. The main criminal courthouse is in downtown Fresno. Check in at the Criminal Division clerk's office and say you are there to clear a bench warrant. You will be put on the calendar to see a judge. The judge may release you on your own recognizance or require bail. Bring ID and any documents related to your case.

Fresno County has procedures for warrant surrenders. The court website has forms and instructions. Many forms can be filled out online and brought to court. If you have questions about your case, contact the clerk's office for guidance. They can tell you which courthouse to go to and what to bring.

Warrant Types in Fresno

Warrants in Fresno come in several types. Arrest warrants are issued when police present evidence to a judge and the judge finds probable cause. Bench warrants are issued when someone does not show up for court or violates a court order. Traffic warrants happen when people ignore traffic tickets or miss traffic court. All warrant types give police the authority to arrest you and hold you in custody.

• Arrest warrants for felonies and misdemeanors based on criminal complaints
• Bench warrants for failure to appear or failure to comply with court orders
• Traffic warrants from unpaid or unresolved traffic citations
• Probation violation warrants when terms of probation are not met
• Contempt of court warrants for willfully disobeying a judge's order

California law governs warrant procedures. Penal Code sections 813 through 829 cover arrest warrants and describe what must be shown before a warrant is signed. Penal Code 978.5 deals with bench warrants and sets the conditions for when a court can issue one. These laws apply statewide, so the rules in Fresno are the same as in other California cities.

Traffic warrants are especially common in Fresno and the Central Valley. If you get a traffic ticket and do not pay or appear in court, the judge can issue a bench warrant. Vehicle Code 40508 makes it a misdemeanor to willfully fail to appear on a traffic citation. Most traffic warrants have bail set, so you can pay the bail to clear the warrant and get a new court date. The bail amount is usually the original fine plus added penalties and fees.

Fresno Police Department FAQs

The Fresno Police Department maintains an FAQ page on their website with answers to common questions about warrants and police records. You can read the full FAQ at the Fresno PD FAQ page.

This page from the Fresno PD website has FAQs on various police services. The department explains how to get police reports, check on case status, and contact different units. For warrant info, you need to visit the Records Unit in person or call the Sheriff's Warrants Unit. The page also has contact info for the Records Unit and hours of operation. This is a useful resource for anyone who needs to interact with Fresno Police.

How to Clear a Warrant in Fresno

If you discover you have a warrant in Fresno, you should take action to clear it. Warrants do not expire or go away on their own. You can turn yourself in at the police station, appear at the courthouse, post bail if allowed, or hire a lawyer to file a motion to recall the warrant. The best approach depends on the type of warrant and the charges involved.

Turning yourself in at Fresno Police is one option. Bring valid photo ID and go during Records Unit hours (8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Friday). Tell the staff you have a warrant and want to clear it. They will verify the warrant and decide what happens next. For minor misdemeanor warrants, you may be cited and released with a court date. For more serious warrants, you may be arrested and taken to Fresno County jail. The advantage of turning yourself in is that it shows the court you are taking responsibility, which may help when you go before the judge.

Surrendering at the courthouse is often easier and less likely to result in immediate arrest. Go to the Fresno County courthouse early in the morning. Check in at the Criminal Division clerk's office and tell them you are there to clear a bench warrant. The court will put you on the calendar for a warrant surrender hearing. The judge may release you on your own recognizance or set bail. Bring ID and any documents related to your case. Some courts allow you to call ahead to schedule a warrant surrender, so check with the clerk's office first.

Legal Help and Resources

People facing warrant issues may need legal advice. The Fresno County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer in criminal cases. Private attorneys also handle warrant matters and can sometimes appear in court on your behalf. Legal aid organizations in the Central Valley offer free or low-cost help for qualifying individuals. Many have walk-in hours or phone advice lines to answer questions about warrants and court procedures.

The California Courts Self-Help website has guides on handling bench warrants and checking case status. Visit California Courts Self-Help for statewide information. The Fresno County court website also has forms and instructions for resolving warrants. Many forms can be filled out online and brought to court. If you need a certified copy of your criminal record, you can request it from the California Department of Justice by submitting fingerprints and a fee of $25.

The Fresno County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an attorney who handles criminal and warrant cases. If you are arrested on a warrant and cannot afford a lawyer, you have the right to request a public defender at your first court appearance. The judge will review your financial situation and may appoint counsel if you qualify.

Nearby Cities with 100,000+ Population

Fresno is in Fresno County and is the largest city in the Central Valley. Other nearby cities with populations over 100,000 are in neighboring counties. Each city has its own police department or contracts with the county Sheriff. If you have a warrant from a different city, contact that city's law enforcement agency. All California warrants are in a statewide database, but you must resolve the warrant with the court that issued it.

• Visalia - South in Tulare County, served by Visalia Police Department
• Bakersfield - South in Kern County, served by Bakersfield Police Department
• Modesto - Northwest in Stanislaus County, served by Modesto Police Department

Fresno County has one city with population over 100,000, which is Fresno itself. Neighboring counties in the Central Valley have other large cities. Each has its own warrant procedures. Check with the specific law enforcement agency that issued the warrant for instructions on how to resolve it. Most agencies have a Records Division that can answer basic questions about warrant status.