Dallas County, Texas Warrant Search

A Dallas County warrant is a legal document that authorizes specific law enforcement action, such as searching and seizing property, committing individuals to mental institutions, and taking alleged offenders into custody. Judges and justices of the peace issue warrants after law enforcement demonstrates probable cause that a person may have committed a crime or that a specific premises contains evidence of a crime. Courts can also issue warrants when defendants fail to appear in court or disobey court orders, such as those related to paying child support or fulfilling probation requirements.

A warrant search verifies whether an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant. These documents contain the name of the subject, the alleged offense, the issuing authority, and the warrant number. However, the existence of a warrant does not imply guilt or arrest status

Why Conduct a Warrant Search in Dallas County?

People search for warrants to identify any outstanding judicial orders that may result in an arrest. Many warrants in Dallas County originate from minor issues, such as unpaid traffic tickets or failure to appear in court. However, warrants can also emanate from civil matters (such as child support and mental health proceedings) and serious criminal investigations.

Obtaining details of these warrants enables affected individuals to avoid potential arrests by paying fines or fulfilling their legal obligations. Employers and landlords may also conduct background checks that include checking for active or executed arrest warrants.

While warrant searches primarily focus on arrest warrants, members of the public may also want to find search warrants to understand the allegations behind a search or seizure, challenge legality, or recover property, among other reasons.

How to Perform a Dallas County Warrant Search Online

To view warrant details online, interested parties can use portals that provide access to case details (which may include warrant information) and law enforcement updates, such as

Dallas County Wanted Search

The Dallas County Wanted Search platform allows 24-hour access to information concerning individuals who owe traffic, criminal, or civil fines and fees to Dallas County or participating local governmental entities.

Some people appear on the list due to owed financial obligations, such as unpaid tolls. However, the system provides outstanding warrant alerts, revealing the charge description, offense date, offense location, owed amount, and warrant date.

Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Case Information

This case portal contains details about felony and misdemeanor cases handled by the County and District Courts. It also shows the status and dates of issued arrest warrants.

Arrest warrant status is indicated by short codes that can be interpreted thus:

• A or Blank: Active
• B: Bond
• C: Cancelled
• D: Deleted
• J: Jailed
• P: Pending
• R: Returned
• S: Served

The portal allows name and case number searches. Name searches can include the name of the attorney, bondsman, or defendant. Other parameters, such as date of birth, race, and sex, can be included for more precise results.

Dallas County, Texas Courts Portal

The Dallas County Courts Portal provides access to information and documents generated during cases in district, county, and justice of the peace courts. One can find details about pending and returned warrants, including the issued legal document, warrant status, and warrant date.

Accepted search queries include party name, attorney name (or bar number), business name, case number, judicial officer, or citation number.

Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Document Information

This database is dedicated to the retrieval of documents filed during felony and misdemeanor cases. Site visitors can search by case number to view warrants.

Municipal Court Traffic/Criminal Case Search

Municipal courts provide access to warrants and Class C misdemeanor causes through dedicated online databases.

For example, the City of Addison's Municipal Court offers a case search portal that shows details of active warrants and municipal court cases where warrants may have been issued. Individuals can search by name, citation number, or docket number. Details produced for each search include the nature of the offense, warrant type, name of the offender, warrant date, and warrant status.

It should be noted that search warrants are typically open to the public only after they have been executed and returned, as per Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 18.01(b).

How to Check for Outstanding Warrants in Dallas County by Phone or In Person

To check for outstanding warrants in Dallas County by phone, call the Dallas County Sheriff Department warrant information line at (214) 761-9026. One can also visit the Sheriff's Office at 133 North Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207 for inquiries.

Local clerks for municipal, district, county, and justice of the peace courts also accept telephone and in-person inquiries about warrants.

The District Clerk's office maintains warrants issued for felony offenses. Details are available at the following location:

For warrants emanating from Class A and B misdemeanor cases, individuals can contact the Dallas County Clerk's office at

Justice of the peace courts maintain warrants related to Class C misdemeanor offenses, such as intoxication and traffic violations. The Dallas County Justice of the Peace and Justice Courts webpage contains the addresses and telephone numbers of the various justice of the peace districts.

Municipal court judges also issue warrants for Class C misdemeanor offenses (mostly traffic infractions), but within city boundaries. For example, one can contact the Municipal Court in the City of Dallas using the following details to inquire about warrants issued in the jurisdiction:

Dallas County Sheriff's Office Warrant Search Process

The Dallas County Sheriff Department's dedicated warrant information line at (214) 761-9026 is open to members of the public for inquiries. Interested parties can also visit the department in person to confirm outstanding warrants.

Accessing Public Records Related to Warrants in Dallas County

Public records related to warrants include court, arrest, and detention records. As explained earlier, warrant details are available through the offices of local clerks of courts. One must note that warrants sealed by a judge are not accessible to members of the public.

Additionally, a Dallas County arrest records search can produce details of executed arrest warrants. For example, the Dallas County Jail Lookup System provides information about arrested individuals, including their warrant numbers. The system requires the defendant's name, race, and sex for personal information searches. Alternatively, a user can provide a case or booking number to initiate a search.

Further, records maintained by local police departments also include details of warrants issued by municipal courts.

Types of Warrants Issued in Dallas County

Courts issue different types of warrants in Dallas County to authorize various law enforcement actions. Warrant types also determine the processes individuals must follow to resolve legal issues.

• Search warrants: These are written orders that allow peace officers to search specific locations and seize property. They are only authorized after judges review affidavits that establish probable cause.
• Arrest warrants: Arrest warrants are legal directives to take individuals into custody. They may be issued after law enforcement submits affidavits alleging criminal conduct.
• Bench warrants: These are arrest orders issued by judges, usually because defendants failed to comply with court orders. These orders include mandatory court appearances, child support payments, fines, and probation.
• Alias warrants: Municipal or justice of the peace courts typically issue alias warrants for the apprehension of defendants who fail to resolve Class C citations or appear in court as scheduled.
• Capias warrants: These are also called Capias Pro-Fine warrants. They order the arrest of convicted defendants who failed to obey court judgments.

How Long Warrants Remain Active in Dallas County

Warrants that order the arrest of individuals stay in effect indefinitely until they are resolved by judicial action. A warrant only stops being active after a judge recalls the order, law enforcement returns the warrant after apprehending the subject, defendants turn themselves in, or the case is concluded.

However, search warrants in Dallas County have strict expiration dates as outlined in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 18.07.

What To Do if You Find an Outstanding Warrant in Dallas County

After a search discloses an active warrant, individuals can contact the clerk of court to confirm official details. In many cases, subjects can resolve outstanding warrants by paying the required fines through the channels provided by the issuing courts. However, it is best to contact an attorney for the next steps.