Stanislaus County Warrant Search
Stanislaus County warrant records are held by the Sheriff Records Division in Modesto and by the Superior Court. You need to check with both agencies depending on what type of warrant you are looking for. Arrest warrants and bench warrants both get issued through the county court system. The Sheriff Office serves them and keeps track of active warrants. The county has over half a million people living in cities like Modesto, Turlock, and Ceres. Most warrant information is not given over the phone. You must go to the Clerk Office in person to review your file and see if a bench warrant was issued.
Stanislaus County Quick Facts
Check Your Warrant Status
The first step is to call the Sheriff Records Division at 209-525-7114. They are at 250 E Hackett Rd in Modesto. Ask them if you have an active warrant. They may or may not give details over the phone. Their policy says bench warrant information is not given out by phone. You have to visit in person.
If you go to the Clerk Office, bring your ID. They will look up your case and tell you if a warrant was issued. The court uses an online portal at stanportal.stanct.org where the public can view case details. That portal shows criminal and traffic cases filed in Stanislaus County. Some warrants show up there. Others do not. If your case is not in the system or if the warrant info is restricted, you will have to ask the clerk in person.
For felony warrants, the bail amount is usually high. You may need to post bail before you can get a court date. For misdemeanor bench warrants, the court may let you turn yourself in and see a judge the same day. Ask the clerk about warrant surrender options. Some courts have a specific calendar for clearing warrants. You show up in the morning and wait for your name to be called.
Note: If you have a serious felony warrant, do not try to handle it alone without talking to a lawyer first.
Sheriff Records and Warrant Service
The Stanislaus County Sheriff runs the jail and serves all warrants in the county. Their main office is on Hackett Road in Modesto. That is where they keep records of arrests and warrants. They also have a Public Safety Center where they book people into custody.
If you know you have a warrant, you can call the Sheriff Records line and ask what your options are. Some warrants let you schedule a time to turn yourself in. Others do not. It depends on the type of crime and the bail amount. High bail warrants usually mean you get arrested on the spot.
The Sheriff works with city police in Modesto, Turlock, and other cities. If city police find out you have a warrant, they will arrest you and take you to county jail. The Sheriff then holds you until you see a judge or post bail. Most people stay in custody for one to three days before their first court date.
Stanislaus Superior Court Warrant Info
The Superior Court issues all bench warrants in Stanislaus County. A bench warrant is what the judge signs when you miss a court date or fail to pay a fine. Once the warrant is issued, the Sheriff gets a copy and puts it into the system. From that point on, any law enforcement officer can see the warrant and arrest you.
To clear a bench warrant, you need to go back to court. The court may let you appear without being arrested. That is called a voluntary surrender. You check in at the Clerk Office early in the morning. They put you on the calendar for that day. When your case is called, the judge will hear what you have to say. The judge can recall the warrant or set a new court date. In some cases the judge may order you held on bail.
The Criminal Division of the court is at 800 11th Street in Modesto. They handle all criminal matters in the county. For traffic warrants, you may be able to clear them at the traffic window. Ask the clerk which location you need to go to based on your case type.
If your warrant is old, it may still be active. California does not have a time limit on most warrants. They stay in the system until you take care of them. Even a warrant from years ago can lead to an arrest if a cop pulls you over and runs your name.
Legal Help and Resources
If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. The Stanislaus County Public Defender Office represents people charged with crimes who meet income guidelines. You can ask for a public defender at your first court hearing. The judge will review your financial situation and decide if you qualify.
You can also contact the Legal Services of Northern California office in Modesto. They help with some civil matters but not criminal cases. For criminal warrant issues, your best option is to talk to a private defense attorney or apply for the public defender.
Some nonprofit groups offer legal clinics where you can get advice. Check with the Stanislaus County Bar Association for a list of free or low cost legal help. They have a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an attorney in your area.
Other Criminal Records in Stanislaus County
In addition to warrants, the Sheriff Office keeps arrest records and booking logs. If you were arrested in Stanislaus County, that record stays on file. You can request a copy of your own arrest record from the Sheriff Records Division. There may be a fee for copies.
The California Department of Justice also keeps a state level criminal history file. If you want a full background check, you can request that from the DOJ. It costs $25 and you have to submit fingerprints. That record will show all arrests and convictions from anywhere in California, not just Stanislaus County.
Court records are separate from arrest records. The court file has the charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other legal papers. You can get copies of court records from the Clerk Office. Some documents are public. Others are sealed or restricted.
Nearby Counties
If your warrant is in a nearby county, you will need to contact that county directly. Each county has its own warrant system. A warrant issued in San Joaquin County will not show up in the Stanislaus County system. Check with the Sheriff Office in each county where you may have a case.