San Diego County Warrant Records
San Diego County runs a free online warrant search on the Sheriff's website. Most warrants issued by the Superior Court are available in this database. You can search by name to check for active warrants. The system is maintained by the Court Services Bureau, which handles all warrant processing for San Diego County. The website goes offline every Wednesday at noon for regular maintenance. This is the second most populous county in California with over 3.3 million people. The warrant database covers all court locations throughout San Diego County.
San Diego County Quick Facts
Search San Diego County Warrants Online
San Diego County offers a free online warrant search at apps.sdsheriff.net/warrant/waar.aspx. This database includes most warrants issued by the Superior Court. Enter a last name and first name to search. The system will show all matches with warrant details like case number, charge, and bail amount. Results come from the Sheriff's warrant database, which updates regularly as warrants are issued and cleared in San Diego County.
The website goes offline for maintenance every Wednesday at noon. Plan your search around this downtime. The system is usually back online within a few hours. The search is free and does not require registration. Anyone can use it to check for warrants in San Diego County.
If you find a warrant in your name, do not try to make an arrest or take action based solely on this info. The website warns that misuse of warrant info may subject you to civil or criminal liability. Contact the Court Services Bureau or the court to confirm the warrant and ask about options to clear it in San Diego County.
Note: Do not attempt to make an arrest based on this warrant information in San Diego County.
Court Services Bureau
The Court Services Bureau at the San Diego County Sheriff's Department handles all warrant processing for the county. This bureau tracks warrants from every Superior Court location. The office is at 9621 Ridgehaven Court in San Diego. Call 858-974-2110 for warrant checks or questions. Staff can search for warrants if you provide a full name and date of birth.
You can also email the bureau at csbwarrants@sdsheriff.org with warrant questions. Include your full name, date of birth, and case number if you have it. Response times may vary. For urgent matters, call the office directly during business hours in San Diego County.
If you want a written warrant check, you can request one for a fee of $14.00. The written check confirms whether you have any outstanding warrants in San Diego County. Processing time is 3 to 10 business days. This service is useful if you need documentation for employment or travel. Contact the Court Services Bureau for more info on written warrant checks.
| Court Services Bureau |
San Diego County Sheriff's Department 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 858-974-2110 |
| csbwarrants@sdsheriff.org | |
| Written Warrant Check | $14.00 (3-10 business days) |
San Diego Superior Court
The Superior Court in San Diego County has ten courthouse locations. The Central Courthouse in downtown San Diego handles most felony criminal cases. Other courts are in El Cajon, Chula Vista, Vista, Kearny Mesa, and other areas. Each court can issue 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 in San Diego 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 Diego County.
To clear a bench warrant, contact the Criminal Division at the court that issued it. 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 in San Diego County.
| Central Courthouse |
1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 450-5703 |
|---|---|
| East County Regional Center |
250 E. Main Street El Cajon, CA 92020 |
| South County Regional Center |
500 Third Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 |
| Website | sdcourt.ca.gov |
Warrant Types in San Diego County
San Diego County issues bench warrants and arrest warrants. Bench warrants are the most common. They come from failure to appear in court. If you miss a court date, the judge will issue a warrant. This applies to criminal cases, traffic cases, and some civil matters. Bench warrants stay active until you clear them through the court in San Diego 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 Diego 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 Diego County.
Common warrants in San Diego County include:
- Bench warrants for failure to appear
- Traffic warrants for unpaid tickets
- Felony arrest warrants for serious crimes
- Misdemeanor warrants for lesser charges
- Contempt warrants for violating court orders
Clear Warrants in San Diego County
If you have a warrant in San Diego County, take action to clear it. One option is to turn yourself in. Go to the Court Services Bureau or any police station. Bring valid ID. Officers 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 Diego 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 Diego County.
A third option is to appear in court and ask for the warrant to be recalled. Contact the Criminal Division at the courthouse 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 Diego 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 Diego County.
Legal Help in San Diego 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. Centers are located at each courthouse. Staff cannot give legal advice but can guide you through the process. Visit the court website for more info on Self-Help services in San Diego County.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free legal help to low-income residents. Call to see if you qualify. The San Diego County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. You can get a referral to a private attorney who handles criminal cases. Some lawyers offer reduced fees for the first meeting in San Diego County.
The Public Defender's Office represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. If you have been charged with a crime, you may qualify for a public defender. Contact the court for info on eligibility. 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.
Related Records in San Diego County
The Sheriff's Department maintains arrest records and jail rosters. Recent arrests are posted on the Sheriff's website. 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 Diego County.
Criminal court records are available through the Superior Court. These records include all case filings, hearings, and judgments. Some case info may be searchable online. For full case files or certified documents, 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 Diego County.
Cities in San Diego County
San Diego County has 18 cities. All warrants from these cities are processed through the Superior Court and tracked by the Court Services Bureau. The online warrant search covers all jurisdictions in San Diego County.
Other cities in San Diego County include Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, National City, La Mesa, Santee, Poway, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Coronado, Del Mar, and Solana Beach. All use the county warrant system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border San Diego County. Each has its own warrant system. If you are unsure which county issued a warrant, check each one separately.