Kern County Warrant Search
Kern County warrant records are available through the Sheriff's Office and Superior Court in Bakersfield. The county has over 900,000 residents, making it one of the most populous in California. Warrant information is not released over the phone in Kern County. The subject of the warrant must appear in person at the Justice Facility located at 1350 Norris Road. The Superior Court also handles warrant inquiries. You can call the court at 661-610-6000 option 4 for felonies and misdemeanors, or 661-610-7000 option 1 for traffic warrants. Kern County has an online court portal at portal.kern.courts.ca.gov where you can search for case information, but it does not list all active warrants publicly.
Kern County Quick Facts
Kern County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Kern County Sheriff's Office maintains all warrant records for the county. The main facility for warrant inquiries is the Kern County Justice Facility at 1350 Norris Road in Bakersfield. You can reach the arrest records division at 661-391-7624. Kern County has a strict policy about warrant information. Staff will not release warrant details over the phone. You must appear in person to check for a warrant. Bring valid photo ID. This policy protects privacy and ensures accurate identification before releasing warrant information.
When you visit the Justice Facility in person, staff will search the county database by name and date of birth. If a warrant is found, they will tell you what type of warrant it is and what court issued it. They can also tell you if bail is required and how much. If you have a warrant, you may be taken into custody at that time, especially for felony warrants. For misdemeanor warrants, you may be given a notice to appear in court. It depends on the nature of the charge and the judge's order in Kern County.
| Sheriff Address |
Kern County Justice Facility 1350 Norris Road Bakersfield, CA 93308 |
|---|---|
| Arrest Records | Phone: (661) 391-7624 |
| Policy | Warrant information not released over the phone |
Note: You must appear in person with valid ID to check for warrants in Kern County.
Kern County Superior Court Portal
Kern County Superior Court has an online portal for case lookups. Visit portal.kern.courts.ca.gov to search for case information. The portal shows criminal, civil, family, and probate cases. You can search by name, case number, or other criteria. The system shows case details like charges, court dates, and case status. It does not show all active warrants, but it does show case information that may indicate a warrant was issued. Look for entries that mention failure to appear or bench warrant in the docket.
The court portal is free to use. You do not need to create an account to search. Enter a name to start your search. You can also use case numbers if you have them. For warrant information beyond what the portal shows, contact the court directly. The criminal division can answer questions about warrants and court dates. Call 661-610-6000 and choose option 4 for felonies and misdemeanors. For traffic warrants, call 661-610-7000 and choose option 1. Court staff can look up your case and tell you if a warrant was issued in Kern County.
Search tips for the portal:
- Use full legal names for best results
- Check the criminal case type filter
- Look for recent docket entries about warrants
- Note the case number to reference when calling the court
- Try different name spellings if no match appears
How to Clear a Warrant in Kern County
If you have a warrant in Kern County, you have several options to clear it. You can turn yourself in at the Justice Facility on Norris Road. Bring valid photo ID. You may be booked into jail if bail is required. Another option is to 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.
The Superior Court has separate phone lines for different case types. For felonies and misdemeanors, call 661-610-6000 and choose option 4. For traffic warrants, call 661-610-7000 and choose option 1. Court staff can tell you the next steps. They may schedule you for a warrant surrender hearing. At the hearing, the judge will address the warrant and set a new court date for the underlying case. You may need to post bail or the judge may release you on your own recognizance. It depends on the charge and your criminal history in Kern County.
Steps to clear a warrant:
- Confirm the warrant exists by visiting the Justice Facility in person
- Contact the Superior Court to ask about warrant surrender
- Hire an attorney if the charge is serious or bail is high
- Turn yourself in with ID at the Justice Facility
- Post bail if required or request a bail review hearing
- Appear at your court date to resolve the case
Types of Warrants in Kern County
Kern County issues several types of warrants. Arrest warrants are issued when someone is charged with a crime. A judge reviews the evidence and signs the warrant if probable cause exists. This is required under California Penal Code Sections 813 to 829. The warrant gives law enforcement authority to arrest the person. Bench warrants are issued under California Penal Code Section 978.5 when someone fails to appear in court. This includes missing court dates, violating probation, or failing to pay fines. Traffic warrants fall under California Vehicle Code Section 40508 for failure to appear on traffic citations.
Probation violation warrants are common in Kern County. If you are on probation and you violate a term, the probation officer can ask the court to issue a warrant. The judge decides whether to issue it. All warrants remain active until cleared by the court or recalled by a judge. Old warrants do not expire. If you have a warrant in Kern 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
Kern County Superior Court
The Kern County Superior Court issues all warrants in the county. The main courthouse is in Bakersfield. Other branches serve outlying areas. If you have a warrant, the court that issued it can recall it or set a hearing. 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.
| Court Address |
Kern County Superior Court 1215 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Division | Phone: (661) 610-6000, option 4 |
| Traffic Division | Phone: (661) 610-7000, option 1 |
| Court Portal | portal.kern.courts.ca.gov |
Legal Help in Kern County
Legal aid organizations serve Kern County. Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance offers free legal help to people with low income. 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 Kern County. Local attorneys in Bakersfield 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 Kern County.
Related Records in Kern County
Warrants connect to other records in Kern 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. 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.
Court records in Kern County are public under California law. You can request copies from the court clerk. Fees apply for copies and certified documents. The Superior Court portal lets you view case information online for free. For more detailed records, contact the court or Sheriff's Office in Kern County.
Cities in Kern County
Kern County has many cities and towns. The largest city is Bakersfield, which serves as the county seat. All warrants in Kern County are processed through the Superior Court and Sheriff's Office, no matter which city the person lives in.
Other cities in Kern County include Delano, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Wasco, Shafter, and California City. All of these use the Kern County court system for warrant matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kern 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.