Search Irvine Warrant Database

Irvine warrant records are maintained by the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Superior Court. This Orange County city has over 300,000 residents and is known for its planned community layout. Warrant checks are done in person at the police station with valid ID. The police department charges $16 for clearance letters if you need official documentation. Orange County has a central warrant repository and an online warrant search system. All warrants issued in Irvine cases are kept on file with both the police and the court until legally resolved.

Irvine Police Department Records

The Irvine Police Department main address is PO Box 19575, Irvine, CA 92623. You can call the main number at (949) 724-7000. Warrant checks must be done in person with valid photo ID. The department charges $16 for clearance letters if you need official documentation of your warrant status. Irvine PD does not share warrant info over the phone for privacy and security reasons.

Irvine Police works with the Orange County Sheriff and the Central Warrant Repository to process warrants. If a judge issues a bench warrant, it gets entered into the countywide system. Arrest warrants are issued by magistrates when police show probable cause that a crime was committed. All warrants are in a statewide database that any California law enforcement officer can access during traffic stops or other encounters with the public.

If you go to the police station to check on a warrant, bring current photo ID. For minor misdemeanor warrants, you may be cited and released with a court date. For serious warrants, you may be arrested and taken to Orange County jail. Be aware that turning yourself in can show the judge you are taking responsibility, which may help your case when you appear before the court.

Orange County Central Warrant Repository

Irvine cases are heard in the Orange County Superior Court. Orange County has a Central Warrant Repository at 320 North Flower Street in Santa Ana. This office keeps about 125,000 outstanding warrants on file. The county has an online warrant search system that is available to the public. You can search for warrants at the Orange County Sheriff website.

The Central Warrant Repository can be reached at (714) 834-6472. The public counter is at (714) 834-6454. The office uses an Automated Warrant Service System (AWSS) that stores all warrant data. You can check for active warrants online by selecting the E-services tab on the Sheriff's website. The search is free and available to anyone who needs to check warrant status.

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 Central Justice Center in Santa Ana serves Irvine cases and is at 700 Civic Center Drive West. 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.

Orange County charges $24 for a local criminal history check and $11 for a clearance letter if you need those documents. The Sheriff's Office can provide these services if you need official records of your criminal history or proof that you have no outstanding warrants.

Types of Warrants in Irvine

Warrants in Irvine fall into 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 Irvine are the same as in other California cities.

Traffic warrants are common in Irvine. 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.

Note: Warrants stay active until you resolve them through the court. They do not expire on their own.

California Criminal Records Information

The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history records for all arrests and convictions in the state. While the DOJ does not offer public warrant searches, you can request a copy of your own criminal record. The DOJ website explains how to request your criminal history record by submitting fingerprints and a processing fee.

This page from the DOJ website shows the process to get a copy of your criminal record. You must pay a fee of $25 and submit fingerprints through Live Scan or by mail. The record shows arrests, charges, and court outcomes. It does not always list active warrants, so you still need to check with local police or the court for warrant status. Processing can take several weeks for certified copies of criminal history records.

How to Clear a Warrant in Irvine

If you discover you have a warrant in Irvine, you should take steps 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 Irvine Police is one option. Bring valid photo ID and go during business hours. Tell the desk officer you have a warrant and want to clear it. The officer will verify the warrant and decide what happens next. For minor warrants, you may be cited and released with a court date. For more serious warrants, you may be arrested and taken to Orange County jail. The advantage of turning yourself in is that it shows 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 Central Justice Center in Santa Ana early in the morning. Check in at the Criminal Division clerk's office and say you are there to clear a bench warrant. The court will put you 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.

Legal Resources and Assistance

People facing warrant issues may need legal help. The Orange 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 Orange County 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 Orange 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.

Nearby Cities with 100,000+ Population

Irvine is in Orange County near other large cities. 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.

• Santa Ana - Northwest of Irvine, served by Santa Ana Police Department
• Anaheim - North, served by Anaheim Police Department
• Huntington Beach - West, served by Huntington Beach Police Department