Solano County Warrant Lookup
Solano County maintains warrant records through the Sheriff's Records Division at 530 Union Avenue, Suite 100 in Fairfield. You can reach the Records Division at 707-784-7010 or email SHFRecords@SolanoCounty.gov. The Superior Court provides information about how to clear bench warrants through the Criminal Clerk's Office. You can appear at any law enforcement agency to address your warrant, or contact the Criminal Clerk's Office directly. With over 447,000 residents in cities like Fairfield, Vallejo, and Vacaville, Solano County processes many warrant cases each year. The court system handles everything from traffic bench warrants to serious felony arrest warrants. Understanding the process can help you resolve your warrant quickly and avoid complications.
Solano County Quick Facts
Sheriff's Records Division
The Solano County Sheriff's Records Division is located at 530 Union Avenue, Suite 100 in Fairfield. This office handles all public records requests including warrant information. The phone number is 707-784-7010. You can also email them at SHFRecords@SolanoCounty.gov.
If you want to check if you have a warrant, visit the Records Division in person. Bring valid photo ID. Staff will search the system for your name. They can tell you if there's an active warrant, what the charge is, and what the bail amount is. This service is free. You just need to provide your name and date of birth.
The Records Division is open during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm exact hours before you visit. The office is in a secure building, so you'll need to check in at the front desk when you arrive in Solano County.
If you have a warrant, you can turn yourself in at the Sheriff's Office or any law enforcement agency in Solano County. Bring your ID and be prepared for the possibility of being arrested and booked. Depending on the warrant type and bail amount, you may be able to post bail and be released, or you may need to wait to see a judge.
Superior Court
The Solano County Superior Court has two main locations. The Fairfield courthouse is at 600 Union Avenue. The Vallejo courthouse is at 321 Tuolumne Street. Most criminal cases file at the Fairfield location, but some cases go through the Vallejo court depending on where the charges originated.
If you have a bench warrant, the court FAQs explain how to clear it. You can appear at any law enforcement agency and tell the officer you have a bench warrant. You can also contact the Criminal Clerk's Office directly. The clerk can look up your case and tell you what to do next.
Many people with bench warrants can appear at the courthouse early in the morning and get seen the same day. Arrive before 8:30 AM. Go to the Criminal Clerk's Office and tell them you have a warrant. They'll check you in and give you instructions. You'll wait for your case to be called in court. The judge will address your warrant and set a new court date.
Court hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk's office may close for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. Get there early if you want same-day service. Parking is available near both courthouses in Solano County.
Common Warrant Types
Solano County issues bench warrants and arrest warrants. Bench warrants are the most common. A judge issues a bench warrant when you fail to appear in court. This happens for any case type. Penal Code 978.5 authorizes bench warrants when defendants fail to appear as ordered.
Traffic cases generate many bench warrants. If you got a ticket and didn't show up for court or didn't pay the fine, there's likely a warrant. Vehicle Code 40508 makes it a misdemeanor to fail to appear on a traffic citation. Solano County issues hundreds of traffic warrants each month.
Arrest warrants come from criminal investigations. A judge signs an arrest warrant based on probable cause that you committed a crime. Law enforcement requests these during investigations. Arrest warrants authorize police to take you into custody. Bail may be high or there may be no bail depending on the charges in Solano County.
Search warrants authorize police to search property for evidence. Judges review search warrant applications to ensure probable cause. If approved, officers can search the location specified. The public doesn't interact with search warrants directly. They're part of police investigations in Solano County.
How to Clear Your Warrant
If you learn you have a warrant in Solano County, you have several options. You can appear at any law enforcement agency. You can contact the Criminal Clerk's Office. Or you can hire a lawyer to help you recall the warrant.
Appearing at a law enforcement agency means going to the Sheriff's Office or a police station. Bring your ID. Tell them you have a warrant. They'll run your name to confirm it. Depending on the warrant, you may be arrested and booked, or you may be cited out with a court date. For most bench warrants with reasonable bail, citation release is common in Solano County.
Contacting the Criminal Clerk's Office is another option. The clerk can look up your case and tell you what to do. They may be able to schedule you for a warrant surrender calendar. This means you appear in court on a specific date to address your warrant. You don't get arrested, you just show up in court.
A lawyer can file a motion to quash and recall the warrant. This is allowed under Penal Code 166. The lawyer asks the judge to remove the warrant. If the judge agrees, you don't have to be arrested. You just get a new court date. This works best if you had a good reason for missing court in Solano County.
Costs and Fees
Clearing a warrant in Solano County involves various costs. Bail is the main expense. Bail amounts vary based on the charge. A traffic warrant might have $300 bail. A misdemeanor could be $2,000. Felonies can be $25,000 or higher. Some serious warrants say "no bail" which means you must see a judge before you can be released.
Court fees also apply. If you appear on a warrant, the judge may add a warrant fee to your case costs. This is usually around $150. The fee covers the administrative cost of issuing the warrant. Some judges waive it if you show good cause for missing court. Ask about fee waivers if you can't afford to pay in Solano County.
For court records, copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 plus the per-page fee. If the clerk searches for more than 10 minutes, there's a $15.00 research fee. These are standard Superior Court fees across California and apply in Solano County as well.
If you hire a lawyer, expect to pay attorney fees. Criminal defense lawyers charge by the hour or a flat fee per case. A simple warrant recall might cost $750 to $2,000. Complex cases with serious charges cost more. Many lawyers offer free consultations where you can ask basic questions about your warrant situation in Solano County.
Legal Assistance
If you have a warrant, talking to a lawyer can help. An attorney can review your case and advise you on the best approach. Some warrants can be recalled without you having to appear or be arrested. This requires filing the right motions with the court.
The Solano County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. Call them to get connected with lawyers who handle criminal cases. Most attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use this time to explain your warrant and get advice on next steps in Solano County.
If you can't afford a private lawyer, contact Legal Services of Northern California. They serve Solano County and provide free legal help to low-income residents. They may not handle all criminal cases, but they can refer you to other resources. Call to find out if you qualify for their services.
The court self-help center has forms and general information. Staff can't give legal advice, but they can help you fill out paperwork correctly. Visit the self-help center at the Fairfield courthouse during business hours. Bring all your court documents. Staff can help you figure out what forms you need for your warrant case in Solano County.
Cities in Solano County
Solano County has no cities with population over 100,000. The largest cities are Vallejo with about 121,000 residents, Fairfield with about 115,000, and Vacaville with about 100,000. However, these populations are close to the threshold. Other cities include Benicia, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista.
All cities in Solano County fall under the Superior Court jurisdiction. Your case location depends on where charges were filed. Most cases file at the Fairfield courthouse, but some file in Vallejo. Check your paperwork or call the court to find out which location handles your warrant in Solano County.
Nearby Counties
Solano County is in the San Francisco Bay Area and borders several other counties. Each has its own court system and warrant procedures.
- Napa County to the west
- Yolo County to the north
- Sacramento County to the northeast
- Contra Costa County to the south
If you have warrants in multiple counties, you must clear each one separately. A warrant in Solano County is different from a warrant in Napa County. But all California warrants are in a statewide system. Any law enforcement officer in California can see your Solano warrant if they run your name.