Search Stockton Warrants
Stockton warrant records are maintained by the Stockton Police Department and the San Joaquin County Superior Court in this city of over 320,000 residents in the Central Valley. The Stockton Police Department at 22 E Market Street handles all warrant inquiries through their Records Division at (909) 620-2161, with office hours Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm. As part of San Joaquin County, all warrants issued by the Superior Court remain active in the county system until they are resolved through arrest, bail posting, or judicial recall. Bench warrants for missed court dates and arrest warrants for new criminal charges stay in the system indefinitely. Anyone with an outstanding warrant should expect to be arrested during routine law enforcement contact such as traffic stops or other police encounters throughout Stockton and the greater San Joaquin County area.
Stockton Quick Facts
How to Check for Warrants
The Stockton Police Department Records Division is at 22 E Market Street. Call (909) 620-2161 to reach them. Their office is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm. They can help you check if you have an active warrant. You may need to visit in person with a photo ID to get detailed information. The Records Division handles all warrant inquiries for Stockton cases.
Stockton Police do not have an online public warrant search. You must contact the Records Division directly. Phone requests for warrant info may be limited. For the most accurate information, visit the police station in person with your ID. If you have an active warrant, be aware that you may be arrested on the spot depending on the charge and bail amount.
San Joaquin County Superior Court issues all warrants for Stockton cases. The Stockton courthouse handles criminal cases for the city and surrounding area. When you miss a court date, the judge can issue a bench warrant. When new charges are filed and you are not in custody, the judge may issue an arrest warrant. Both types stay active until you deal with them.
Stockton Police Department
The Stockton Police Department Records Division maintains all police reports, arrest records, and warrant data for cases handled by PPD. The division is at 22 E Market Street. You can request copies of police reports if you were involved in an incident or arrested by Stockton Police. Call (909) 620-2161 for records requests.
If you were arrested by Stockton Police, your booking information goes into the San Joaquin County jail system. The San Joaquin County Sheriff runs the detention facilities. You can search for current inmates online through the county website. Older arrest records must be requested through the police department or the county.
Stockton Police 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. Do not ignore a warrant. It will not go away on its own.
The Records Division is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm. Plan ahead if you need to contact them. If you call outside those hours, you will need to leave a message or call back. For urgent matters, you can visit the police station in person during regular business hours.
San Joaquin County Court Warrants
The San Joaquin County Superior Court issues all warrants for Stockton cases. The Stockton courthouse is part of the San Joaquin County court system. When you fail to appear in court, the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. California law allows this under Penal Code Section 978.5 when defendants do not show up as ordered. You can read the statute at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
Bench warrants in Stockton 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.
Arrest warrants are issued when the District Attorney files charges and a judge finds probable cause. Stockton Police detectives investigate crimes and present evidence to the DA. If the DA decides to file charges, they ask the court for an arrest warrant. Arrest warrants can be for theft, drug crimes, assault, burglary, and other offenses.
The San Joaquin County court system has case info online for many cases. You can search by name or case number. The system may not show all warrant details. For the most accurate info, contact the Stockton courthouse. The criminal clerk's office can look up your case and tell you what steps to take.
Clear a Warrant in Stockton
If you have a warrant in Stockton, you need to deal with it. Warrants do not go away. You have a few options depending on the type of warrant and how much bail is set.
Turn yourself in at the Stockton courthouse. Go 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 minor, you may get a court date without being arrested. If it is serious, you will be booked into jail. Turning yourself in can show the judge you are being responsible.
Post bail if your warrant has a bail amount. 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.
Hire a lawyer 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. Lawyers who practice in San Joaquin County know the local judges and can give you advice on the best way to handle your case.
Legal Resources
If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. The San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office represents people who are charged with crimes and cannot pay for a private attorney. You apply for a public defender when you first go to court. The judge decides if you qualify based on your income.
Legal aid organizations in Stockton and San Joaquin County may be able to help. Legal Services of Northern California is one option. You can find local legal aid by searching online or calling 211. The California Courts Self-Help website has guides at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov.
Nearby Cities
Stockton is in San Joaquin County. It borders Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, and other cities. All use the San Joaquin County court system for warrants.
West Covina Police are at 1444 West Garvey Avenue. Call (626) 939-8540.
Los Angeles /a> is the county seat.