Imperial County Active Warrants

Imperial County warrant records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in El Centro. This office serves as the main repository for all active warrants in the county. The Records Division handles all warrant inquiries and records requests. You can contact them by phone at 442-265-2125 or email at recordsdivision@icso.org. Imperial County is located in southern California near the Mexico border and has about 180,000 residents. The Superior Court issues warrants for criminal cases and failure to appear matters. You must go through the Sheriff's Office or the court to check for active warrants. Imperial County does not have an online public warrant search system.

Imperial County Sheriff Records Division

The Imperial County Sheriff's Office Records Division is the main contact for warrant information. This office is located at 328 Applestill Road in El Centro. You can call them at 442-265-2125 during business hours. You can also email recordsdivision@icso.org with warrant inquiries. Staff will search the county database by name and date of birth. If a warrant is found, they can tell you what type of warrant it is and what court issued it. Warrant checks are free if you ask about yourself. Other records requests may have fees.

The Records Division handles many types of requests. These include crime reports, clearance letters, and criminal history records. If you need a clearance letter that shows whether you have any criminal history in Imperial County, the fee is $65. Crime reports cost $22. Live Scan fingerprinting services are also available for $40. These fees are set by the Sheriff's Office and may change. Call ahead to confirm current fees before you visit or send payment in Imperial County.

How to Check for Warrants in Imperial County

To check for a warrant in Imperial County, contact the Sheriff's Records Division. Call 442-265-2125 and ask to check for warrants. Give your full name and date of birth. Staff will search the county database. They can tell you if a warrant exists and what the details are. You can also email recordsdivision@icso.org with your request. Include your full name, date of birth, and a phone number where they can reach you. Email requests may take longer to process than phone calls.

If you prefer to check in person, visit the Records Division at 328 Applestill Road in El Centro. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, state ID card, or passport. In-person visits let you ask follow-up questions and get copies of records if needed. The Records Division is open during business hours Monday through Friday. If you have a warrant, staff can explain what the next steps are. They can direct you to the court or tell you about turning yourself in at the Sheriff's Office.

What you need to check for warrants:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Valid ID if visiting in person
• Phone number for email requests

Note: Imperial County does not have an online public warrant search system.

Warrant Types in Imperial County

Imperial County issues several types of warrants. Arrest warrants are issued when someone is charged with a crime and a judge finds probable cause. This follows California Penal Code Sections 813 to 829. The warrant gives law enforcement authority to arrest the person named. Bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court. Under California Penal Code Section 978.5, a judge can issue a bench warrant if a defendant does not show up as required. This includes missing court dates, violating probation, or failing to pay fines.

Traffic warrants are also common in Imperial County. These are issued under California Vehicle Code Section 40508 for failure to appear on traffic citations. All warrants remain active until the court clears them or a judge recalls them. Old warrants do not expire on their own. You must take action to resolve them. If you have a warrant in Imperial County, it will show up when law enforcement runs your name. You can be arrested at any time while a warrant is active.

Common warrant types include:

• Felony arrest warrants
• Misdemeanor arrest warrants
• Bench warrants for failure to appear
• Traffic warrants
• Probation violation warrants

Clearing a Warrant in Imperial County

If you have a warrant in Imperial County, you have several options to clear it. You can turn yourself in at the Sheriff's Office. Bring valid photo ID. You may be booked into jail if bail is required. You can also contact the Superior Court and ask about warrant surrender. The court may let you schedule a hearing without being arrested first. This is more common for misdemeanor warrants. For felony warrants, bail is usually required before you can be released.

Hiring an attorney can help with the warrant process. An attorney can contact the court on your behalf and ask about recall or reduction of bail. They can also represent you at hearings to resolve the underlying case. If you cannot afford an attorney, ask the court about public defender services. The court will appoint a public defender if you qualify based on income. Do not ignore a warrant in Imperial County. It will not go away, and you can be arrested at any time while it is active.

Imperial County Superior Court

The Imperial County Superior Court issues all warrants in the county. The main courthouse is in El Centro. If you have a warrant, the court can recall it or set a hearing date. Contact the criminal division to ask about your case. The court clerk can look up case details and tell you what the next steps are. Some warrants can be cleared by scheduling a court appearance. Others require you to post bail first. It depends on the charge and the judge's order in Imperial County.

Legal Assistance in Imperial County

Legal aid organizations serve Imperial County. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-866-442-2529 to get a referral to an attorney who handles criminal cases in Imperial County. Local attorneys in El Centro also handle warrant matters and criminal defense. Many offer a free or low-cost first consultation. If you cannot afford an attorney and you are facing criminal charges, ask the court about public defender services. The court will appoint a public defender if you qualify based on income.

Private attorneys may offer payment plans for people who need legal representation. If you have a warrant and need legal help, contact an attorney as soon as possible. They can advise you on the best way to clear the warrant and resolve the underlying case in Imperial County.

Related Records in Imperial County

Warrants connect to other records in Imperial County. Criminal case files are kept at the Superior Court. You can request copies of court documents from the clerk. Arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. If you were arrested in Imperial County, that record may be separate from the warrant. Jail records show current inmates and booking information. Conviction records become part of your criminal history. Under California Penal Code Sections 11120 to 11127, you have the right to review your own criminal history record. You can request a copy from the California Department of Justice by submitting fingerprints and paying a $25 fee. Visit oag.ca.gov for instructions on how to request your state criminal record.

The Sheriff's Records Division can provide crime reports, clearance letters, and local criminal history records. These records may be needed for employment, licensing, or other purposes. Fees apply for most records requests. Call the Records Division to ask about specific fees before you request documents in Imperial County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Imperial County. If you are not sure which county issued a warrant, check where your case was filed. Each county has its own court system and Sheriff's Office.