Napa County Warrant Records

Napa County maintains active warrant records through the Superior Court system. Most warrants issued since January 1, 2006 appear online. You can search by name to check for bench warrants and arrest warrants. The warrant search covers all cases filed in Napa County courts. Law enforcement tracks warrants issued before 2006 separately. Those older records may not show up in the public database. People who live in Napa County can check their own warrant status. You may also search for warrants on someone else if you have their full name.

Search Napa County Warrants Online

Napa County runs a public warrant search tool on the county website. This search covers most warrants issued by the Superior Court. You need to enter an exact last name and at least the first letter of a first name. The system shows warrant details if a match exists. Warrants issued before January 1, 2006 may not show up. For those older warrants, call the Warrants Bureau at the Sheriff's Office in Napa County.

The search works for bench warrants and arrest warrants in Napa County. Bench warrants come from failure to appear in court. Arrest warrants come from new charges. Both types show up in the search tool if they are active. The system updates regularly to add new warrants as they are issued. Visit services.countyofnapa.org/warrantsearch to check for warrants in Napa County.

To use the Napa County warrant search, you should know the person's full legal name. The last name must be exact. Nicknames or maiden names may not work. Use the name that appears on legal documents. If you find an active warrant, note the case number and contact the court. You should not try to make an arrest based on this info. Only peace officers can arrest on a warrant in Napa County.

Note: The warrant search is for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for any legal action in Napa County.

Napa County Sheriff Warrants Bureau

The Warrants Bureau at the Napa County Sheriff's Office handles warrant checks for the public. You can call the bureau at (707) 253-4209 during business hours. Staff can search for warrants if you give them a full name and date of birth. They may also check older warrants that do not show up online. The bureau tracks all outstanding warrants in Napa County for the Superior Court.

If you want to check your own warrant status in person, visit the Sheriff's Office at 1535 Airport Boulevard in Napa. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can run a search and tell you if a warrant exists. If you do have an active warrant, the officer may give you options to clear it. For misdemeanor warrants, you might be able to schedule a court date instead of going to jail. Felony warrants usually require posting bail or being taken into custody in Napa County.

Napa County Superior Court

The Superior Court in Napa County issues all bench warrants and processes arrest warrants from law enforcement. Bench warrants get issued when a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court date. Under California Penal Code Section 978.5, the court can issue a bench warrant if a defendant is ordered to appear and does not show up. This applies to criminal cases, traffic cases, and some civil matters in Napa County.

Arrest warrants come from law enforcement agencies. A judge reviews the evidence and signs the warrant if probable cause exists. Arrest warrants allow peace officers to take a person into custody for criminal charges. Both bench warrants and arrest warrants remain active until cleared through the court or served by law enforcement in Napa County.

To clear a bench warrant in Napa County, you can appear in court voluntarily. Contact the Criminal Division at (707) 299-1100 to ask about options. You may be able to pay bail, schedule a new court date, or appear before a judge the same day. Bring valid ID when you go to the courthouse. The court is located at 1111 Third Street in Napa. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Types of Warrants in Napa County

Napa County issues several types of warrants. Each type has a different purpose. Bench warrants are the most common. These come from missed court dates. Arrest warrants come from new criminal charges. Both types require the person named in the warrant to be taken into custody by law enforcement in Napa County.

Traffic warrants are a form of bench warrant in Napa County. These are issued when a person fails to appear in traffic court or fails to pay a fine. Under California Vehicle Code Section 40508, failure to appear on a traffic citation is a misdemeanor. The court issues a warrant 20 days after the failure to appear. These warrants show up in the online search tool for Napa County.

The main types of warrants in Napa County include:

• Bench warrants for failure to appear
• Arrest warrants for new charges
• Traffic warrants for unpaid fines
• Felony warrants for serious crimes
• Misdemeanor warrants for lesser offenses

Felony warrants usually have higher bail amounts than misdemeanor warrants. Some warrants say no bail, which means the person cannot be released until they see a judge. Misdemeanor warrants often allow for release on bail or citation. Each warrant lists the charges, the bail amount, and the issuing agency in Napa County.

How to Clear Warrants in Napa County

If you have a warrant in Napa County, you have a few options to clear it. The first is to turn yourself in. You can go to any law enforcement agency or the jail. Bring ID with you. Officers will book you on the warrant. For misdemeanor warrants, you may be cited out and given a new court date. Felony warrants usually require bail or a court appearance before release in Napa County.

You can also post bail to clear the warrant. Bail amounts are set by the court. Cash bail can be posted at the jail or the courthouse. You can also use a bail bond company. The bond fee is typically 10 percent of the total bail. Once bail is posted, the warrant is cleared and you get a court date. Show up for that date or the warrant will be reissued in Napa County.

A third option is to appear in court and ask for a warrant recall. This works for some bench warrants. The judge may recall the warrant if you have a good reason for missing court. You may need a lawyer to file the motion. Contact the Criminal Division at the Napa County Superior Court for more info on this process. Not all warrants can be recalled. Felony warrants and warrants with no bail usually cannot be cleared this way in Napa County.

Note: Do not ignore a warrant, as it will not go away on its own and may result in arrest at any time in Napa County.

Legal Resources in Napa County

If you need help with a warrant, several resources are available in Napa County. The Self-Help Center at the Superior Court provides free help with court forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice but can guide you through the process. The center is located at the courthouse in Napa. Call (707) 299-1170 for more info on their services.

Legal Services of Northern California has an office in Napa. They give free legal help to low-income residents. Call (707) 255-4933 to ask if you qualify for services. The Napa County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (707) 224-9283 to get a referral to a private attorney. Some lawyers offer reduced rates for the first meeting in Napa County.

For more info on criminal law in California, visit the California Courts Self-Help Guide at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site has info on warrants, court procedures, and your rights under California law. You can also call the Napa County Public Defender at (707) 259-8370 if you have been appointed a public defender on your case in Napa County.

Related Records in Napa County

The Napa County Sheriff also maintains arrest records, booking logs, and jail rosters. These records are separate from warrants but may be related. If someone was arrested on a warrant, that arrest shows up in booking records. You can search for recent arrests and inmate info on the Sheriff's website. Current inmates are listed with their charges and booking dates in Napa County.

Criminal court case records are available through the Superior Court. These records show all filings, hearings, and judgments in criminal cases. Some case info is available online. For full case files, visit the courthouse in person. The Clerk's Office can search by name or case number. Fees apply for copies of court documents in Napa County.

Cities in Napa County

Napa County has five cities. All warrants for these cities are processed through the Napa County Superior Court and Sheriff's Office. If you live in any city in Napa County, the warrant search covers your area.

Cities in Napa County include Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Yountville. All of these are covered by the county warrant search system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Napa County. Each county has its own warrant system. If you are not sure which county issued a warrant, check with each county separately.