San Benito County Warrant Records

San Benito County maintains warrant records through the Sheriff's Office and Superior Court in Hollister. This small county between the Central Coast and Central Valley has a population around 62,000. The Sheriff's Office tracks all active warrants issued by the court. You can check warrant status by contacting the Sheriff or appearing at the courthouse. San Benito County does not have an online warrant search portal. All warrant checks must be done by phone or in person at the government offices in Hollister.

San Benito County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office in San Benito County is located at 2301 Technology Parkway in Hollister. This is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies serve warrants and track all outstanding warrants from the Superior Court. The Sheriff works with local police departments to serve warrants throughout San Benito County.

To check for a warrant, you can call the Sheriff's Office during business hours. Staff can search for warrants if you provide a full name and date of birth. They may ask for additional info if the name is common. You can also visit in person with valid photo ID to check your own warrant status in San Benito County.

If you have an active warrant, the Sheriff's Office can explain your options. For some misdemeanor warrants, you may be able to schedule a court appearance instead of being arrested. Felony warrants usually require posting bail or being taken into custody. The jail is located at the same address as the Sheriff's Office in Hollister.

San Benito County Superior Court

The Superior Court in San Benito County is at 450 Fourth Street in Hollister. This is the only courthouse in the county. The court issues bench warrants when defendants fail to appear for scheduled hearings. Under California Penal Code Section 978.5, the court can issue a warrant if someone does not show up as ordered. This applies to criminal cases, traffic matters, and some civil proceedings in San Benito County.

Arrest warrants come from law enforcement when new charges are filed. A judge reviews the evidence and signs the warrant if probable cause exists. The warrant allows officers to take the person into custody. Both bench warrants and arrest warrants remain active until cleared through the court or served by law enforcement in San Benito County.

To clear a bench warrant, contact the Criminal Division at the courthouse. You can ask about options to resolve the warrant. Some bench warrants allow you to appear voluntarily and post bail. Others may require you to be taken into custody. Bring valid ID when you go to the courthouse. The Criminal Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in San Benito County.

Warrant Types in San Benito County

San Benito County issues bench warrants and arrest warrants. Bench warrants come from failure to appear in court. If you miss a court date, the judge will issue a warrant. This happens in criminal cases, traffic cases, and some civil matters. Bench warrants stay active until you clear them through the court in San Benito County.

Arrest warrants are issued when law enforcement files charges. The judge signs the warrant if there is probable cause. Arrest warrants let officers take a person into custody. These are used for felonies and serious misdemeanors. They remain active until the person is arrested or the warrant is recalled in San Benito County.

Traffic warrants result from failure to appear on traffic citations. 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 license suspension and arrest during traffic stops in San Benito County.

Common warrants in San Benito County include:

• Bench warrants for missed court dates
• Traffic warrants for unpaid tickets
• Felony arrest warrants for serious crimes
• Misdemeanor warrants for minor offenses
• Contempt warrants for court order violations

Clear Warrants in San Benito County

If you have a warrant in San Benito County, take action to clear it. One option is to turn yourself in. Go to the Sheriff's Office in Hollister with valid ID. Deputies will book you on the warrant. For misdemeanor warrants, you may be released on citation with a court date. Felony warrants usually require bail or a hearing before release in San Benito County.

You can also post bail to clear the warrant. Bail amounts are set by the court based on the charge. Cash bail can be posted at the jail or 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. Make sure to appear or the warrant will be reissued in San Benito County.

A third option is to appear in court and ask for the warrant to be recalled. Contact the Criminal Division to ask about this process. The judge may recall the warrant if you have a valid reason for missing court. Not all warrants can be recalled. Felony warrants and no-bail warrants usually cannot be cleared this way in San Benito 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 San Benito County.

Legal Help in San Benito County

If you need help with a warrant, resources are available. The Self-Help Center at the Superior Court provides free help with court forms and procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice but can guide you through the process. The center is at the courthouse in Hollister. Call (831) 636-4057 for more info on services in San Benito County.

Legal services organizations in nearby counties may serve San Benito County. Monterey County Bar Lawyer Referral Service covers the area. Call (831) 373-1874 for a referral to a private attorney. Some lawyers offer reduced fees for the first meeting. For general info on criminal law in California, visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site has guides on warrants, court procedures, and your rights under state law.

If you have been charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. Contact the court for info on eligibility. The Public Defender's Office can provide representation if you meet income requirements in San Benito County.

Related Records in San Benito County

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail rosters. Recent arrests may be available by contacting the Sheriff. The jail roster shows current inmates with charges and bail amounts. If someone was arrested on a warrant, it will show up in the booking records in San Benito County.

Criminal court records are available through the Superior Court. These records include all case filings, hearings, and judgments. To access full case files, visit the courthouse in person. The Clerk's Office can search by name or case number. Fees may apply for copies of documents in San Benito County.

Cities in San Benito County

San Benito County has three cities. All warrants from these cities are processed through the Superior Court and tracked by the Sheriff's Office. The county system covers all jurisdictions in San Benito County.

Cities in San Benito County include Hollister, San Juan Bautista, and Tres Pinos. All warrants for these areas are handled by the county court and sheriff.

Nearby Counties

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