Murrieta Warrant Records
Murrieta warrant records are maintained by the Murrieta Police Department and the Riverside County Superior Court in this southwestern Riverside County city of about 115,000 residents. The city has its own police department that handles law enforcement for Murrieta, and all warrants issued by the court are kept in the county warrant repository. Warrants remain active until they are cleared through arrest, bail, or court action. Anyone who believes they may have a warrant should verify their status to avoid arrest during routine traffic stops or other police encounters. The Murrieta Police Department is located at 2 Town Square and can provide information on warrant status when you visit in person with valid identification.
Murrieta Quick Facts
How to Check for Warrants
The Murrieta Police Department is at 2 Town Square in Murrieta. You can visit the police station to check if you have a warrant. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver license or state ID card. The records staff can search the system for active warrants in your name. They only share warrant info with the person who is the subject of the warrant or with law enforcement officers. Call (951) 304-2677 if you have questions about the process.
Riverside County has an online court portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. You can use it to search for court cases by name or case number. The portal shows case details, court dates, and charges. It does not always display warrant information, especially if the warrant was just issued. For the most accurate warrant info, visit the police department or the courthouse in person.
Murrieta cases are heard at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta or the main Riverside courthouse. The Southwest Justice Center is at 30755 Avenida de las Banderas in Murrieta. This courthouse handles criminal, traffic, and civil cases for the southwestern part of Riverside County. You can go to the criminal clerk's office and ask about your case. The clerk can look up warrants and tell you what you need to do to clear them.
If you have a warrant from a traffic case, the court where your case was filed can help. According to Riverside County court policy, to appear on a warrant you must report to the criminal division which ordered the warrant by 7:30 AM. All warrants require a mandatory appearance. This means you must see a judge before the warrant can be cleared. You cannot just call and set a court date. You must go in person.
Murrieta Police Records
The Murrieta Police Department maintains records for all cases handled by the department. If you were arrested by Murrieta Police or had contact with officers, your records are kept at the police station at 2 Town Square. Call (951) 304-2677 to ask about getting copies of reports or other records. The department has a records division that processes public records requests.
You can request a clearance letter from Murrieta Police if you need proof that you have no warrants or arrests. The fee for a non-notarized clearance letter is $15. If you need a notarized letter, the fee is $50. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order. You must provide your full name, date of birth, and a reason for the request. Processing time varies depending on how busy the records division is.
If you were arrested by Murrieta Police, your booking information goes into the Riverside County jail system. The Riverside County Sheriff runs the jails. You can search for current inmates online through the county website. Older arrest records must be requested through the police department or the county. The Murrieta Police records division can tell you what is available and how to get copies.
Murrieta Police do not have an online public warrant search. Warrant info is confidential and only shared with the subject of the warrant or law enforcement. Officers check the warrant database during every traffic stop and contact with the public. If you have an active warrant and are stopped by police, you will be arrested unless the warrant is for a very minor issue or the agency that issued it will not extradite.
Note: Always bring valid photo ID when requesting records or checking for warrants at Murrieta Police Department.
Riverside County Court Warrants
The Riverside County Superior Court issues all warrants for Murrieta cases. The Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta is the main courthouse for this area. When you miss a court date, the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. California law allows this under Penal Code Section 978.5 when defendants fail to appear as ordered. You can read the statute at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
Bench warrants in Murrieta often come from traffic violations and misdemeanor cases. If you got a ticket and did not show up for court, the judge issues a warrant. California Vehicle Code Section 40508 makes it a misdemeanor to willfully fail to appear on a traffic charge. You can read that law at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. The warrant stays active until you go to court and deal with the case. Even if the original ticket was minor, failing to appear makes it worse.
Arrest warrants are issued when a prosecutor files new charges and a judge finds probable cause. Murrieta Police detectives investigate crimes and present evidence to the District Attorney. If the DA decides to file charges, they ask the court for an arrest warrant. The judge reviews a sworn statement and signs the warrant if there is enough evidence. Arrest warrants can be for theft, drug crimes, assault, DUI, and other offenses.
Riverside County has a warrant repository at the Information Services Bureau. That office is at 4095 Lemon Street, 5th Floor, in Riverside. Call 951-955-2400 for info about warrants. The repository is the total warrant bank for Riverside County, so all Murrieta warrants are kept there. You can also check the online court portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov for case info, but not all warrants show up in the online system.
Warrant Types in Murrieta
Murrieta has several types of warrants. The most common are bench warrants for missed court dates and arrest warrants for new charges. Both stay on your record until you clear them. Neither type expires on its own.
Bench warrants are issued when you do not show up for court. Traffic cases lead to many bench warrants in Murrieta. If you got a ticket and did not appear, the judge issues a bench warrant. Misdemeanor criminal cases also result in bench warrants if you skip a hearing or fail to complete probation. Bench warrants may have bail set, or they may say no bail. If there is no bail, you must see a judge before you can get out of custody.
Arrest warrants come from new criminal investigations. If the police believe you committed a crime but did not catch you at the time, they can ask for a warrant. The prosecutor files a complaint and the judge signs the warrant. These warrants are based on evidence from detective work. Arrest warrants in Murrieta can be for any crime from shoplifting to violent felonies. Bail is usually higher on arrest warrants than on bench warrants.
Probation violation warrants are also common. If you are on probation and break the rules, your probation officer can ask the court for a warrant. Probation violations can include missing check-ins, failing drug tests, or getting arrested for a new crime. These warrants may have no bail, meaning you stay in custody until you see a judge.
Murrieta Police also enforce warrants from other counties. If you have a warrant from San Diego, Orange County, or elsewhere in California, Murrieta Police can arrest you on it. The other county decides if they want to extradite you or drop the warrant. You may sit in county jail while the agencies work it out. Serious felonies are usually extradited. Minor misdemeanors from far away may not be worth the cost.
Clear a Warrant in Murrieta
If you have a warrant in Murrieta, you need to take care of it. Warrants do not expire. They stay in the system until you are arrested or the court recalls them. You have a few options depending on the type of warrant and how much bail is set.
One option is to turn yourself in. You can go to the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta by 7:30 AM to appear on a warrant. Bring your photo ID and tell the criminal clerk you have a warrant. If the warrant is for a minor issue, you may get a court date without being arrested. If it is for a felony or has no bail, you will be booked into county jail. Turning yourself in can show the judge that you are taking responsibility.
Posting bail is another way to clear a warrant. If your warrant has a bail amount, you can pay it and get a court date. You can pay cash at the courthouse or use a bail bond company. Most bail bond agents charge 10 percent of the total bail as their fee. Once bail is posted, the warrant is lifted and you must appear in court on the date given. If you skip that court date, the bail is forfeited and a new warrant is issued.
Hiring a lawyer is often the best choice if you have a serious warrant. A lawyer can contact the court for you and may be able to file a motion to recall the warrant or reduce bail. This works best if you have a good reason for missing court. Some lawyers can appear in court for you on certain types of cases. Lawyers who practice in Riverside County know the local judges and can give you advice on the best way to handle your case.
The Southwest Justice Center may have options for walk-in warrant clearance. You can go to the criminal clerk's office by 7:30 AM and ask if you can be seen by a judge that day. Bring your ID and any paperwork you have about your case. The judge may set a new court date or may let you resolve the case right there. This option works better for traffic and minor misdemeanor warrants than for serious felonies.
Legal Resources in Murrieta
Murrieta residents can get legal help from services in Riverside County. Some are free for low-income residents. Others charge fees but can connect you with experienced lawyers. Getting legal help early can make a difference in how your case turns out.
The Riverside County Public Defender represents people who are charged with crimes and cannot afford a private lawyer. If you are arrested on a warrant and go to court, the judge will ask if you want a public defender. You must qualify based on income. If you are approved, a public defender will be assigned to your case. Their office is in Riverside. Call their main line for more information about their services.
Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino serves parts of Riverside County and provides free legal help to low-income residents. They may be able to give advice or refer you to a lawyer who handles warrants. You can also search for other legal aid groups in the Inland Empire area that serve Murrieta residents.
If you can afford to hire a lawyer, the Riverside County Bar Association can help you find one. They have a lawyer referral service that matches you with attorneys in your area. You can also search online for criminal defense lawyers in Murrieta or Temecula who have experience with the Southwest Justice Center. The first meeting may cost a small fee. Look for lawyers who know the local courts and prosecutors.
The Riverside County Law Library has resources you can use to research your case. The library has legal books, forms, and computers. Staff can help you find resources but they cannot give legal advice. Check the county website for library locations and hours. This is a good place to start if you want to learn more about warrants and your options in Murrieta.
Riverside County Warrants
Murrieta is in Riverside County. All warrants are processed through the county court system and warrant repository. For more information on how warrants work countywide, court locations, fees, and related records, visit the Riverside County warrant records page.