Orange County Warrant Records Search

Orange County runs the Central Warrant Repository with about 125,000 outstanding warrants. This is one of the largest warrant databases in California. The Sheriff's Department maintains this system and provides online access to the public. You can search for active warrants by name at no cost. The system covers all warrants issued by Orange County courts and some from other jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies throughout Orange County use this central database to track and serve warrants efficiently.

Central Warrant Repository

The Central Warrant Repository is the main hub for all warrant info in Orange County. This system uses the Automated Warrant Service System known as AWSS. It tracks warrants from the Superior Court, municipal courts, and law enforcement agencies. The repository currently holds around 125,000 outstanding warrants. This makes it one of the biggest warrant databases in the state of California.

You can search the warrant database online at ws.ocsd.org/ArrestWarrants. The search is free and public. Enter a name to see if any warrants exist. The system shows warrant type, case number, issuing agency, and bail amount. Results appear in real time based on the current database. If a warrant has been served or recalled, it will not show up in the search results for Orange County.

The Central Warrant Repository is located at 320 N. Flower Street in Santa Ana. You can also check warrants in person at the public counter. Staff are available during business hours. Call (714) 834-6454 for general questions or (714) 834-6472 for warrant checks by phone. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready when you call for warrant info in Orange County.

How to Search Orange County Warrants

Searching for warrants in Orange County is simple. Go to the online search page and enter a last name and first name. You can also add a date of birth to narrow results. The system will show all matches in the database. Each result includes the warrant type, case number, and bail amount. Click on a warrant for more details in Orange County.

The search covers all warrants issued in Orange County. This includes bench warrants from the Superior Court, traffic warrants, and arrest warrants from police agencies. Some out-of-county warrants also show up if they have been entered into the system. The database updates as new warrants are issued and old ones are cleared in Orange County.

If you find a warrant in your name, do not ignore it. Contact the court or the Central Warrant Repository for next steps. You may be able to post bail or schedule a court date. For questions about a warrant, call (714) 834-6472. Have the case number ready when you call. Staff can tell you the issuing agency and the process to clear the warrant in Orange County.

Note: The warrant search is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the basis for an arrest in Orange County.

Orange County Superior Court

The Superior Court in Orange County issues most bench warrants. These come from failure to appear in court or failure to comply with court orders. Under California Penal Code Section 978.5, the court can issue a bench warrant when a defendant does not show up for a scheduled hearing. This applies to criminal cases, traffic cases, and some civil matters in Orange County.

Orange County has multiple court locations. The Central Justice Center in Santa Ana handles most criminal cases. Other courthouses are in Fullerton, Westminster, Newport Beach, and Laguna Hills. Each court can issue warrants for cases in its jurisdiction. All warrants are sent to the Central Warrant Repository for tracking and service in Orange County.

To clear a bench warrant, you can appear in court. Contact the Criminal Division to ask about your options. Some courts have walk-in warrant calendars where you can see a judge the same day. Bring valid ID and be ready to post bail if required. For more info on clearing warrants, call the court clerk at (714) 834-2222 in Orange County.

Warrant Types in Orange County

Orange County issues several types of warrants. Bench warrants are issued for failure to appear. These are the most common type. If you miss a court date, the judge will issue a bench warrant. This applies to both criminal and traffic cases. Bench warrants remain active until you clear them through the court in Orange County.

Arrest warrants come from law enforcement when charges are filed. A judge reviews the evidence and signs the warrant if probable cause exists. Arrest warrants allow officers to take a person into custody. These warrants are used for felonies and serious misdemeanors in Orange County.

Traffic warrants result from failure to appear on a traffic ticket. Under California Vehicle Code Section 40508, this is a misdemeanor. The court will issue a warrant if you do not show up or pay the fine. Traffic warrants can lead to a suspended license and arrest in Orange County.

Common warrants in Orange County include:

• Bench warrants for failure to appear
• Traffic warrants for unpaid citations
• Felony arrest warrants for serious charges
• Misdemeanor warrants for minor offenses
• Out-of-county warrants entered in the system

Each warrant lists the charge, bail amount, and issuing agency. Some warrants say no bail, which means you must see a judge before release. Most misdemeanor warrants have set bail amounts. You can post bail to clear the warrant and get a new court date in Orange County.

Clear Your Warrant in Orange County

If you have a warrant in Orange County, you should take action to clear it. One option is to turn yourself in. You can go to the Central Warrant Repository or any police station. Bring valid ID. Officers will book you on the warrant. For misdemeanor warrants, you may be cited out with a new court date. Felony warrants usually require bail or a court hearing before release in Orange County.

You can also post bail to clear the warrant. Bail amounts are set by the court. You can post cash bail at the jail or use a bail bond agent. Bond fees are typically 10 percent of the total bail. Once bail is posted, the warrant is cleared and you get a court date. Make sure to appear or the warrant will be reissued in Orange County.

For traffic warrants, you may be able to pay the fine and clear the warrant without going to jail. Contact the Traffic Division at the court to ask about payment options. Some courts allow online payment for traffic warrants. Visit occourts.org for more info on traffic warrant clearance in Orange County.

A third option is to ask the court to recall the warrant. This works for some bench warrants. You may need a lawyer to file the motion. The judge will decide if the warrant should be recalled. Not all warrants can be recalled. Felony warrants and no-bail warrants typically cannot be cleared this way in Orange County.

Fees for Records in Orange County

The Orange County Sheriff charges fees for some records services. A local criminal history report costs $24.00. A clearance letter costs $11.00. These letters confirm you have no outstanding warrants or arrests in Orange County. Businesses and licensing agencies often require clearance letters.

Warrant checks are free if you use the online search. Phone checks are also free but may have limits on how much info staff can give. For certified copies of records, fees vary by document type. Contact the records division for a full fee schedule in Orange County.

Legal Help in Orange County

If you need help with a warrant, several resources are available in Orange County. The Self-Help Center at the Superior Court provides free help with court forms and procedures. Centers are located at each courthouse. Call (714) 834-2222 for more info on Self-Help services in Orange County.

Legal Aid Society of Orange County offers free legal help to low-income residents. Call (714) 571-5200 to see if you qualify. The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (714) 953-8057. You can get a referral to a private attorney who handles criminal cases in Orange County.

For general info on criminal law in California, visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site has guides on warrants, court procedures, and your rights. The Public Defender's Office in Orange County represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. Call (714) 834-3700 if you have been appointed a public defender on your case.

Related Records in Orange County

The Orange County Sheriff also maintains arrest records and jail rosters. You can search for recent arrests on the Sheriff's website. The jail roster shows current inmates with their charges and bail amounts. If someone was arrested on a warrant, it will show up in the booking records in Orange County.

Criminal court records are available through the Superior Court. These records include all filings, hearings, and judgments. 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 Orange County.

Cities in Orange County

Orange County has 34 cities. All warrants from these cities are processed through the Central Warrant Repository. The online warrant search covers every city in Orange County.

Other cities in Orange County include Garden Grove, Orange, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Buena Park, Lake Forest, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Mission Viejo, Westminster, Laguna Niguel, La Habra, Fountain Valley, Placentia, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Cypress, Stanton, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Brea, Seal Beach, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, La Palma, and Los Alamitos. All of these cities use the Central Warrant Repository.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Orange County. Each has its own warrant system. If you are unsure which county issued a warrant, check each one separately.