Marin County Warrant Search Online

Marin County provides a free online warrant search tool for the public. Most warrants issued by the Marin County Superior Court can be found in this database. The system lets you search by last name and first initial. It shows active bench warrants and arrest warrants for people in Marin County. This is one of the few California counties with a public facing warrant search portal. You can access it from any computer or phone with internet. The tool is maintained by the Superior Court and is updated regularly. If you find a warrant in your name, you can contact the court at (415) 444-7070 for next steps. The court clerk will tell you how to clear the warrant. Options include posting bail or surrendering in person at the courthouse in San Rafael.

Free Online Warrant Search

The Marin County warrant search tool is available at apps.marincounty.gov/warrantsearch. This portal lets you check for active warrants using a name based search. You need the exact last name and at least the first letter of the first name. The system shows results in seconds.

When you search, the tool displays warrant information including the case number, charge, and bail amount if one is set. It shows bench warrants for failure to appear and arrest warrants for new charges. The database includes most warrants issued since the system went online. Very old warrants may not be in the search tool. For those, contact the court directly.

The search tool comes with important cautions. Misuse of warrant information can lead to civil or criminal liability. The system is for informational purposes only. Do not attempt to make an arrest based on what you find. Only law enforcement can execute warrants in Marin County. If you find a warrant on yourself, contact the court to discuss your options.

Note: The online tool shows most active warrants but may not include all records.

Marin County Superior Court

The Superior Court in Marin County issues all warrants for the area. Judges sign bench warrants when people miss court dates or violate probation. They issue arrest warrants when prosecutors file new criminal charges. The court maintains the warrant database that feeds the online search portal.

If you have a warrant, you can contact the court to clear it. Call (415) 444-7070 and ask about warrant surrender procedures. Court staff will tell you what to do based on your warrant type. For bench warrants, you may be able to schedule a surrender time. For arrest warrants, you may need to turn yourself in at the Sheriff Office or post bail first.

The courthouse in San Rafael handles all criminal cases for Marin County. You can go there in person to deal with a warrant. Arrive early in the morning if you plan to surrender. Check in at the criminal clerk office. Bring photo ID and any court documents you have. The clerk will check the system and schedule you for a hearing or tell you what steps to take next.

Marin County Sheriff Office

The Marin County Sheriff Office works with the Superior Court to manage warrants. When a judge signs a warrant, it gets entered into the Sheriff system. Deputies can see active warrants when they stop or contact someone. The Sheriff also runs the county jail where people with warrants are booked.

You can turn yourself in at the Sheriff Office if you have a warrant. The main office is at the Civic Center in San Rafael. Tell the staff at the front desk you have a warrant. They will check the system and arrest you if the warrant is active. You will be booked into jail. If bail is set, you can post it to get released. If not, you stay in custody until your court date.

The Sheriff Office also handles warrant service. If you do not turn yourself in, deputies may come to your home or workplace to arrest you. This can happen at any time. It is better to deal with the warrant on your own terms by surrendering voluntarily. The court may look more favorably on voluntary surrender than forced arrest.

Warrant Types in Marin County

Marin County issues two main types of warrants. Each serves a different purpose in the criminal justice system. Knowing the type helps you understand what to do next.

Bench warrants come from the court when you fail to appear for a scheduled court date. The judge can sign a bench warrant right away. It goes into effect immediately. Bench warrants also get issued for probation violations in Marin County. If you violate the terms of your probation, your probation officer can ask the court for a warrant. Most bench warrants have a bail amount. You can post bail to get out of jail after arrest.

Arrest warrants are issued when criminal charges are filed. A prosecutor presents evidence to a judge. If the judge finds probable cause, they sign the arrest warrant. This gives law enforcement the power to arrest you. Arrest warrants in Marin County can be for felonies or misdemeanors. Bail is set based on the charge and your criminal history. Some serious charges have no bail.

• Bench warrants for failure to appear
• Bench warrants for probation violations
• Arrest warrants for felony charges
• Arrest warrants for misdemeanor charges
• Traffic warrants for missed court dates

All warrants in Marin County stay active until they are cleared through the court. They do not expire. Even if a warrant is years old, you must still deal with it. Use the online search tool to check if you have any active warrants.

How to Clear a Warrant

Clearing a warrant in Marin County requires action on your part. The process varies depending on the warrant type and the underlying charges. Do not ignore a warrant. It will not go away.

For bench warrants, contact the court at (415) 444-7070. Tell them you have a warrant and want to clear it. They will tell you what to do. You may be able to schedule a surrender time. Or they may tell you to come to court early in the morning. When you surrender, the judge will decide whether to recall the warrant. You may need to post bail or agree to certain conditions. The judge may also set a new court date for your case.

You can also turn yourself in at the Sheriff Office in Marin County. This works for any type of warrant. Go to the office on Los Gamos Drive in San Rafael. Tell the front desk you have a warrant. They will arrest you and book you into jail. If bail is set, you can post it and get released. If not, you wait in jail for your court date. This can take several days depending on the court calendar and weekend schedules.

Hiring a lawyer can make the process easier. A criminal defense attorney can contact the court on your behalf. They may be able to arrange a surrender time and appear with you. The lawyer can also argue for recall of the warrant and release on your own recognizance. For serious charges in Marin County, having legal representation is highly recommended. Many lawyers in the area handle warrant clearances.

For traffic warrants, you may be able to clear the warrant by paying the fine. Call the court traffic division and ask about your case. Some traffic warrants can be cleared with payment. Others require a court appearance even after you pay. The clerk will tell you what is required for your specific warrant.

Legal Help in Marin County

Marin County has resources for people dealing with warrants. Free legal aid is available for low income residents. Private lawyers handle cases for a fee. The court also has self-help services.

Legal Aid of Marin serves low income residents with free legal help. They assist with some criminal matters. You must meet income guidelines to qualify. Call (415) 492-0230 to see if you are eligible. Their office is in San Rafael. They can advise you on warrants and court procedures if you qualify for their services.

The Marin County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. If you are arrested on a warrant and cannot make bail, the public defender may be appointed to your case. The court assigns public defenders based on availability. They are experienced criminal lawyers who handle many cases in Marin County courts.

For a private lawyer, contact the Marin County Bar Association. They have a lawyer referral service at (415) 499-1314. The service matches you with attorneys based on your legal issue. Most lawyers offer a consultation to discuss your warrant and options. Fees vary by lawyer and case complexity. Ask about payment plans if you cannot afford the full fee upfront.

The Superior Court has a self-help center. Staff can answer questions about court procedures and help you fill out forms. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do about your warrant. But they can explain the process and point you to resources. The self-help center is in the courthouse on Civic Center Drive.

Nearby Counties

Marin County is in the Bay Area. It borders several other California counties. Each has its own court system and warrant procedures.

• Sonoma County - North of Marin County
• San Francisco County - South of Marin County
• Contra Costa County - East of Marin County

If you have warrants in multiple counties, you must clear each one separately. Contact the court or Sheriff Office in each county. Procedures vary. Some counties have online warrant search tools like Marin County. Others require you to call or visit in person to check for warrants.