Find El Dorado County Warrant Records
Warrant records in El Dorado County are kept at the Sheriff's Office in two main locations. The Placerville office serves the western part of the county. The South Lake Tahoe office serves the eastern area near the lake. Both offices can check warrants issued by the Superior Court. You must go in person with valid photo ID to ask for a warrant check on yourself. The Sheriff's Office does not confirm warrants to the public over the phone. In-person checks are free, but other records requests may have copy fees. El Dorado County has active warrants for both felony and misdemeanor cases.
El Dorado County Quick Facts
El Dorado County Sheriff Records
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office maintains all warrant information. This office serves as the repository for arrest warrants and bench warrants issued by the Superior Court. If you want to check for active warrants in El Dorado County, you must visit either the Placerville Records Unit or the South Lake Tahoe station in person. Staff require a current photo ID before they can search. Phone checks are not available. The Sheriff does not confirm warrants over the phone to protect privacy and security. This policy applies to all warrant searches in El Dorado County.
Both locations can access the same warrant database. It does not matter which office you visit. Go to whichever one is closer to you in El Dorado County. The Placerville office is located at the main Sheriff's facility. This is the primary Records Unit. South Lake Tahoe station serves the mountain area and lake communities. Hours may vary at each location, so call ahead to confirm they are open before you drive out. Warrant checks are free if you ask about yourself. Other records requests may have fees. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for documents in El Dorado County. Clearance letters cost $30 if you need one. Local criminal history reports cost $25. These fees are set by the Sheriff's Office in El Dorado County.
| Placerville Office |
El Dorado County Sheriff Records 200 Industrial Drive Placerville, CA 95667 Phone: (530) 621-5703 |
|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe |
South Lake Tahoe Station 1360 Johnson Blvd South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Phone: (530) 573-3000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (hours vary by location) |
| Fees | Warrant check: Free | Copies: $0.25/page | Clearance Letter: $30.00 | Criminal History: $25.00 |
How to Check for Warrants in El Dorado County
To check for warrants in El Dorado County, go to the Sheriff's Office Records Unit in Placerville or the South Lake Tahoe station. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver license, state ID card, or passport. Tell staff you want a warrant check. They will search the county database for your name. The check is free if you ask about yourself. You cannot check for warrants over the phone. You cannot check someone else unless you have legal authority. El Dorado County policy requires in-person appearance with photo ID for all warrant checks.
If you have a warrant in El Dorado County, you have options. You can turn yourself in at the Sheriff's Office. You can also contact the court that issued the warrant. The Superior Court can give you a court date to appear and clear the warrant. Some warrants require bail. Others allow a notice to appear. It depends on the charge and the judge's order. If you turn yourself in, bring ID and be ready to be booked if bail is required. For misdemeanor warrants, the court may let you schedule an appearance without booking. Call the Superior Court to ask about warrant surrender options in El Dorado County.
When checking for warrants, you need:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Your full legal name and date of birth
- In-person visit to Sheriff's Office
Note: El Dorado County does not offer online warrant searches.
Warrant Records in El Dorado County
El Dorado County has two main types of warrants. Arrest warrants are issued when someone is charged with a crime. A judge signs the warrant after reviewing evidence. The warrant gives police authority to arrest the person. Bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court. This includes missing a scheduled court date, violating probation, or not paying fines. Both types are active until cleared in El Dorado County.
Under California Penal Code Section 978.5, bench warrants can be issued for failure to appear as required by law. This applies to criminal cases and some traffic matters. Under California Penal Code Sections 813 to 829, arrest warrants must be based on probable cause. A judge or magistrate reviews the facts before signing. Both arrest warrants and bench warrants remain active in the system until they are cleared by the court or recalled by a judge in El Dorado County.
Warrant types include:
- Felony arrest warrants
- Misdemeanor arrest warrants
- Bench warrants for failure to appear
- Traffic warrants under California Vehicle Code Section 40508
- Probation violation warrants
All warrants in El Dorado County are maintained in the Sheriff's database. The system includes active warrants only. Cleared warrants are removed once the person appears in court or the warrant is recalled. If you think you have an old warrant that should be cleared, contact the Superior Court to confirm. Sometimes there is a delay between clearing a warrant in court and updating the Sheriff's records in El Dorado County.
El Dorado County Superior Court
The Superior Court issues all warrants in El Dorado County. This court has jurisdiction over criminal cases, traffic violations, and probation matters. If a warrant is active, the court can recall it or set a hearing date. You can contact the court to ask about warrant surrender. Felony cases are handled at the main courthouse in Placerville. Some misdemeanor and traffic matters may be heard in South Lake Tahoe. The court has online case access through the California court system, but it does not show active warrants publicly. You must contact the court or Sheriff's Office to check for warrants in El Dorado County.
If you want to clear a warrant in El Dorado County, call the Superior Court. Ask to speak to the criminal division. Explain that you have a warrant and want to schedule a court appearance. The court may give you a date to appear voluntarily. This is called warrant surrender. Bring proof of ID and any documents related to your case. Some warrants require bail before you can be released. Others allow release on your own recognizance. It depends on the charge, your criminal history, and the judge's decision in El Dorado County.
| Court Address |
El Dorado County Superior Court 495 Main Street Placerville, CA 95667 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (530) 621-5867 |
| Website | eldorado.courts.ca.gov |
Legal Assistance in El Dorado County
If you have a warrant and need legal help, several resources are available in El Dorado County. Legal Services of Northern California offers free help to people with low income. They serve El Dorado County and can advise on criminal defense and warrant issues. Call them at (530) 823-7560 to ask about eligibility. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service that covers El Dorado County. You can reach the referral line at 1-866-442-2529. The first consultation is often low-cost or free.
El Dorado County Bar Association also has referral services. Local attorneys can help with warrant surrender, bail matters, and court appearances. If you cannot afford an attorney and you are facing criminal charges, the Public Defender's Office may represent you. Contact the court to ask about public defender services. You must qualify based on income. Private attorneys in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe also handle warrant cases in El Dorado County.
Related Records in El Dorado County
Warrants often relate to other records in El Dorado County. Criminal case files are kept at the Superior Court. You can search case records online through the court website. Arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. If you were arrested in El Dorado County, that record may be separate from the warrant. Jail records show current inmates and booking information. The Sheriff's website has inmate lookup tools. Probation records are managed by the Probation Department if you are on probation in El Dorado County.
California law gives you the right to review your own criminal history record. Under California Penal Code Sections 11120 to 11127, you can request a copy from the California Department of Justice. The fee is $25. You must submit fingerprints through Live Scan. This gives you a complete state record, which includes warrants, arrests, and convictions from all counties in California, including El Dorado County. Visit oag.ca.gov to learn how to request your criminal history from the state.
Nearby Counties
These counties border El Dorado County. If you are not sure which county issued a warrant, check where the case was filed. Warrants are issued by the court in the county with jurisdiction over the case.