San Bernardino Warrants

San Bernardino warrant records are managed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff and the San Bernardino County Superior Court. As the county seat, San Bernardino is the central hub for all county level court operations and law enforcement records. The city has about 217,000 people. San Bernardino Police Department handles local arrests but all warrants get issued through the county court system. You can check for active warrants by visiting the Sheriff records office at 655 East Third Street or by searching the Superior Court online portal. The court website at cap.sb-court.org allows you to search for case files and view warrant information tied to criminal cases.

Check Warrants Through the Sheriff

The San Bernardino County Sheriff Records office is at 655 East Third Street in San Bernardino. Call them at 909-888-5916 for warrant information. They keep files on all warrants issued in the county. This includes arrest warrants from criminal cases and bench warrants from people who missed court. To check if you have a warrant, go to the records office in person. Bring a photo ID. They will not give out warrant details over the phone unless it is about yourself and you can verify your identity.

If you need a clearance letter that shows you have no active warrants, you pay a fee of $38. This is also called an in custody letter. Some employers or licensing agencies require this letter as proof you do not have warrants. The Sheriff processes these requests at the records office. It takes a few days to get the letter. You cannot get it on the same day you apply. Plan ahead if you need this document for a job or other purpose.

Warrant information is also available through the Superior Court website. The court says to visit cap.sb-court.org for warrant information and case access. The portal lets you search for criminal cases by name or case number. If a bench warrant was issued in your case, it should show up in the case file online. Not all warrants appear right away. There may be a delay between when the judge issues the warrant and when it shows up in the public system.

The court portal is a helpful tool but it may not show every warrant. If you cannot find information online, call the court clerk for help.

San Bernardino Police Records

San Bernardino Police Department is at 710 North D Street in downtown San Bernardino. Their records office handles requests for police reports and arrest records. Call them at 909-998-3610 if you need a copy of a police report. The first five pages are free. After that, copies cost 25 cents per page. This is lower than many other cities in California.

The police make arrests and investigate crimes. When they arrest someone, the case goes to the District Attorney. The DA files charges in Superior Court. If the person fails to appear in court, the judge issues a bench warrant. That warrant goes into the county system. Any police officer in the county can arrest you on it. San Bernardino PD serves warrants that are assigned to them. The Sheriff also serves warrants county wide.

For warrant checks, you go through the Sheriff or the court. The police department does not maintain warrant files. They can tell you if you were arrested but they cannot tell you if you have an active warrant. That information comes from the Sheriff records office or the court clerk.

Note: Do not confuse police records with court records. They are separate systems even though they work together.

Appearing in Court on a Warrant

If you have a bench warrant in San Bernardino County, you need to appear at the courthouse that issued it. Most San Bernardino criminal cases are heard at courthouses in the city of San Bernardino. There are multiple court buildings including the San Bernardino Justice Center and the Central Courthouse. Check your paperwork or search online to see which courthouse handles your case. If you are not sure, call the criminal clerk at 909-521-3400 and ask which location you need to go to.

Get to the courthouse early in the morning. Many courts have a clear warrant calendar that starts at 8:30 am or 9 am. Check in at the criminal clerk window when you arrive. Bring your ID and any court documents you have. Tell the clerk you are there to surrender on a warrant. They will verify your information and put you on the calendar. You wait in the courtroom until your name is called. This can take an hour or more depending on how many cases are on the calendar.

When the judge calls you, step up and explain why you missed court. Be respectful and honest. If you did not get notice or if you forgot the date, say that. The judge may recall the warrant and set a new court date. Or the judge may increase your bail or add conditions like supervised release. It depends on the case, the charge, and your history. If you have missed court multiple times, expect the judge to be less forgiving.

California Penal Code section 978.5 allows judges to issue bench warrants when you fail to appear. The warrant stays active until you appear in court or the judge recalls it. There is no expiration. A warrant from five years ago is just as valid as one from last week. You have to deal with it to make it go away. Ignoring it does not help.

For traffic warrants, you may be able to pay the fine and clear the warrant without a court appearance. Call the traffic division and ask if your case qualifies. California Vehicle Code section 40508 makes it a misdemeanor to fail to appear on a traffic ticket. The court can suspend your driver license until you clear the warrant. After you pay or appear, the court sends notice to DMV and your license hold is released. It can take a few days for DMV to process the release.

Legal Resources in San Bernardino

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. The San Bernardino County Public Defender has offices in San Bernardino and other cities. When you appear in court, tell the judge you want to apply for a public defender. The judge will give you a financial declaration form. Fill it out completely. The court reviews your income and assets. If you meet the guidelines, a public defender is assigned to your case at no cost. Public defenders handle felonies and serious misdemeanors. They do not take traffic cases or very minor offenses.

Legal aid groups in the area focus on civil matters like evictions, consumer debt, and family law. They do not handle criminal cases. For criminal issues, you need a public defender or a private attorney. If you do not qualify for a public defender, look for a private criminal defense lawyer. Many offer free consultations. You can explain your warrant situation and they will tell you what your options are. Ask about fees upfront. Some lawyers charge a flat rate for warrant recalls. Others bill hourly. Get the fee agreement in writing.

The State Bar of California runs a referral service where you can search for lawyers by location and practice area. When you contact an attorney, ask if they can recall the warrant without you being present. Some warrants allow this if the lawyer files the right motion. Others require you to appear no matter what. The attorney can review your case and tell you which type you have.

Nearby Cities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County is one of the largest counties in the United States by land area. Many cities are part of the county. All of them use the same Sheriff and court system for warrants. Here are some nearby cities.

Fontana is west of San Bernardino with over 208,000 people. Fontana Police are at 17005 Upland Avenue. Warrants in Fontana go through San Bernardino County Superior Court. The police use LexisNexis for some traffic report requests.

Ontario is northwest of San Bernardino near the Los Angeles County line. Ontario has about 180,000 people. Ontario Police are at 2500 S Archibald Avenue. Their hours are Monday through Friday 7 am to 6 pm, and weekends 9 am to noon. Warrants are issued by the county court and served by local police or the Sheriff.

Rancho Cucamonga is in the western part of the county with around 177,000 people. The city contracts with the Sheriff for law enforcement. The Sheriff station is at 10510 Civic Center Drive in Rancho Cucamonga. Warrants are handled through the county system.

Other cities like Rialto, Victorville, Hesperia, and Chino are also in San Bernardino County. They all use the same court for warrants. If you have a warrant anywhere in the county, it will be on file with the Sheriff records office in San Bernardino.