Norwalk Warrant Records
Norwalk warrant records are kept by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which provides police services to this city of about 105,000 people in southeastern Los Angeles County. All warrants issued for Norwalk cases come from the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Norwalk courthouse at 12720 Norwalk Boulevard serves as the main court location for this area and handles criminal, traffic, and civil cases. Warrant information is maintained by the Sheriff Records and Identification Bureau in Norwalk, making it convenient for residents to check their status in person. Active warrants remain on file until resolved through arrest, bail, or court action, and anyone with a possible warrant should verify their status before encountering law enforcement.
Norwalk Quick Facts
Check for Warrants in Norwalk
Norwalk gets law enforcement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff has a station in Norwalk, but for warrant checks, you should go to the Sheriff Records and Identification Bureau. That office is right in Norwalk at 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 400 West. It is very close to the courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring a photo ID. The staff can search the county warrant system for your name. They only share warrant info with the person who is the subject of the warrant or with law enforcement.
You can also visit the Norwalk Sheriff Station to check for warrants on yourself. The station is at 12335 Civic Center Drive in Norwalk. Show your ID at the front desk and ask for a warrant check. If you have a warrant with low bail or a traffic bench warrant, the station may help you set a court date. For larger warrants, you may need to post bail or turn yourself in. The station staff can tell you what to do next.
Los Angeles County does not have an online public warrant search. You must check in person or call. The Sheriff Records line is (562) 345-4441. They may or may not give info on the phone. It is best to go in person with your ID. Some people call the court that issued the warrant. The Norwalk courthouse has a criminal clerk who can look up your case. Call (562) 807-7266 to ask about your case, but they may not tell you about warrants over the phone. You may need to visit in person.
The Los Angeles Superior Court has a case lookup tool at lacourt.org. You can search by name or case number to see court dates and charges. That site does not always show warrants, especially if they were just issued. For the most accurate warrant info, visit the Sheriff Records Bureau in Norwalk or the courthouse criminal clerk's office.
Norwalk Court Warrants
The Los Angeles County Superior Court issues all warrants for Norwalk cases. The Norwalk courthouse is at 12720 Norwalk Boulevard, just a few blocks from the Sheriff Records Bureau. This court handles cases for Norwalk and nearby cities. When you miss a court date, the judge issues a bench warrant for your arrest. Most bench warrants in Norwalk come from traffic violations and misdemeanor criminal cases.
California Penal Code Section 978.5 gives judges the power to issue bench warrants when defendants fail to appear as ordered. You can read the statute at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Once the judge signs the warrant, it goes into the county computer system. Any law enforcement agency in California can see it and arrest you on it. Even if you move to another county or state, the warrant follows you in the system.
Arrest warrants are issued when a prosecutor files new charges and a judge finds probable cause. Sheriff detectives investigate crimes in Norwalk 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 any crime from shoplifting to violent felonies. These warrants usually have higher bail than bench warrants.
The Norwalk courthouse has a criminal clerk's office on the first floor. You can go there and ask about your case. The clerk can look up warrants and tell you what you need to do to clear them. Call (562) 807-7266 to ask questions, but they may require you to visit in person for warrant info. The courthouse is busy, so expect to wait. Bring your ID and any paperwork you have about your case.
Types of Warrants
Norwalk 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 violations lead to many bench warrants in Norwalk. If you got a ticket and did not appear, the judge issues a bench 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. Even if the original ticket was for speeding or a broken taillight, failing to appear makes it a criminal matter.
Arrest warrants come from new criminal charges. If the Sheriff believes you committed a crime but did not catch you at the time, they can get a warrant for your arrest. The prosecutor files a complaint and the judge signs the warrant. These warrants are based on evidence from an investigation. Arrest warrants in Norwalk can be for theft, drug crimes, assault, fraud, and other offenses. 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. The court takes probation violations seriously because you already had a chance to follow the rules.
Norwalk residents can also have warrants from other counties. If you had a case in Orange County, Riverside, or elsewhere in California and missed court, that warrant shows up when an officer runs your name. The Sheriff can arrest you on out-of-county warrants. The other county decides if they want to extradite you or drop the warrant. You may sit in jail while the agencies work it out.
Clear a Warrant in Norwalk
If you have a warrant in Norwalk, you need to take care of it. Warrants do not go away. 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 Norwalk courthouse early in the morning and check in at the criminal clerk's office. Bring your photo ID and tell them you have a warrant. If the warrant is for a minor issue like unpaid traffic fines, 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, which may help your case later.
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, like a medical emergency. Some lawyers can appear in court for you on certain types of cases. Lawyers who practice in the Norwalk courthouse know the local judges and prosecutors and can give you advice on the best way to handle your case.
The Norwalk courthouse may have walk-in warrant clearance calendars. You can go to the criminal clerk's office early in the morning without an appointment and ask to be seen by a judge that day. Bring your ID and any paperwork you have about the case. The judge may set a new court date or may let you pay the fine and close the case right there. This option works better for traffic and minor misdemeanor warrants than for serious felonies.
Note: The Sheriff Records Bureau in Norwalk can tell you if you have a warrant but cannot clear it; only the court can clear warrants.
Legal Resources in Norwalk
Norwalk residents can get legal help from services in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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. More info is at pubdef.lacounty.gov. You can also call their office to ask about getting help before you turn yourself in on a warrant.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free legal services to low-income residents. They have multiple offices throughout LA County. Their website is at lafla.org. They may be able to give advice or refer you to a lawyer who handles warrants and criminal defense. Other legal aid groups in the area include Bet Tzedek Legal Services at bettzedek.org and Public Counsel at publiccounsel.org.
If you can afford to hire a lawyer, the Los Angeles County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call (213) 243-1525 or visit lacba.org to get matched with a lawyer in your area. The service covers all types of legal issues including warrants, criminal defense, and traffic cases. The first meeting with a referred lawyer usually costs a small fee. After that, you and the lawyer decide if you want to hire them and what the total cost will be.
You can also search online for criminal defense lawyers who practice in the Norwalk courthouse. Many lawyers list their experience with warrant cases and traffic matters on their websites. Look for someone who knows the local court system and has handled cases like yours. The right lawyer can make a big difference in how your case turns out.
Los Angeles County Warrants
Norwalk is part of Los Angeles County. All warrants are processed through the county Sheriff and court system. For more information on how warrants work countywide, court locations, fees, and related records, visit the Los Angeles County warrant records page.