Hennepin County Warrant Search

A warrant search is the process of checking official court and law enforcement records to determine if a person has an active or outstanding warrant issued by a judge from Hennepin County. Warrants are legal orders that authorize specific actions, such as instructing law enforcement to arrest a suspect or ordering an individual to appear in court.

The Hennepin County District Court typically issues warrants in the county. Warrants are issued for an individual for various reasons, including missing a scheduled court hearing, violating probation, being formally charged with a crime, or avoiding law enforcement after any of the previous situations.

A warrant search involves searching through information or records maintained by the Hennepin County District Court and local law enforcement agencies, such as the sheriff’s office or municipal police departments. After a judge signs the warrant, it becomes part of the county records and can be accessed through public access tools provided by government agencies, depending on the type and confidentiality of the warrant and the case that led to it.

Information typically available in a Hennepin County warrant include the full name of the subject of the warrant, their date of birth/age, the case number, type of warrant, issuing court, the offense that led to it, issuing date, bond or bail details, the current state of the warrant (active/cancelled), and the office and signature of the official who issued it..

Why Conduct a Warrant Search in Hennepin County?

Individuals may perform warrant searches in Hennepin County for various practical and administrative reasons. In most cases, the objective of the search is to simply verify their legal status in relation to the court system. The following are some reasons why a warrant search may be conducted in Hennepin County.

• A common reason for a warrant search is to ensure a person has complied with all case conditions, including court-ordered appearances. Missed court hearings, unresolved probation conditions, and unpaid fines may result in a bench warrant. A quick search will determine if any such warrants are active.
• Individuals may search for warrants to ensure the accuracy of their public records, particularly after settling any old cases. People may do this to ensure their record is clear before going through legal processes, such as immigration applications, loan applications, and other programs that may require a clean or updated legal history.
• Employers, licensing boards, and human resources departments may perform warrant searches as part of broad background screening during the employment or professional licensing process.
• Landlords and property managers may check court records and perform warrant searches to evaluate potential tenants. A person’s outstanding warrants, criminal history, and eviction history may be considered when rental applications are assessed.
• Attorneys, legal assistants, and self-representing litigants conduct warrant searches before cases to ensure that all open legal matters are identified before a case starts. Knowing a warrant exists before court hearings, filings, or negotiations begin may help clarify the issues involved in the case.
• In contested probate matters, parties may conduct background checks and warrant searches to determine whether anyone involved in the case has unresolved legal obligations that could impact decisions made by the court if the matter proceeds to trial.

How to Perform a Hennepin County Warrant Search Online

Interested parties may be able to find arrest warrant information online via the Most Wanted List posted on the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office website. This is a complete online list of the county’s most wanted persons who have active arrest warrants. It is hosted online on the sheriff’s website and updated periodically as required.

Warrant information may also be available on the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) database operated by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Searches can be made using the available search tools to look up by name, case number, citation number, attorney name, and business name.

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

Interested parties may check for outstanding warrants in person by contacting the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility located at:

To search for the record, the requester should provide search criteria, such as the subject’s name, case number, or warrant number. If the requester is inquiring about their own warrant, they must show a valid government-issued photo ID.

Inquiries about warrants can also be made by calling the District Court at (612)348-6000. During the call, the record seeker is required to provide the full name and date of birth of the subject to look up the warrant. Hennepin County also has a warrant helpline, where adult defendants may obtain information about their warrants and how to proceed by calling (612) 540-6485.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Search Process

Interested parties may obtain warrant information by visiting the sheriff’s office at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility. Staff at the Central Records Unit can assist visitors in determining if a warrant exists. Requesters are required to show a valid government-issued photo ID.

Warrant inquiries may also be made by calling the Central Records Unit directly at (612) 348-2000. To access warrant information by phone, the requester must provide a case number or warrant number; a name alone is not sufficient to obtain it.

The Sheriff’s office typically releases information on the warrant that is considered public information, including the existence of the warrant, the crime, and the case number it is connected to.

Accessing Public Records Related to Warrants in Hennepin County

Several types of public records, such as court records and arrest records, may be linked to warrant searches. These records are maintained by separate agencies and contain related information and are generally accessible to the public unless restricted by statutes or a court order.

Court records are a primary source of information for warrant-related matters, simply because many warrants are issued by judges during criminal cases. Warrant information is typically found in criminal case files containing charges, hearings, and court actions, all of which are public and have situations that may lead to a warrant being issued. Minnesota court records may be accessed online using the public portal, Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Records can also be accessed by submitting a request to the Hennepin County Records Center in person or by mail.

Arrest records document when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement. Local law enforcement, like the Hennepin County Sheriff, maintains arrest logs, jail rosters, and warrant lists. The information in these records can be obtained online or in person at the sheriff’s office.

Certain information, including identifying details, juvenile, sealed, or expunged records, is still exempt from public disclosure under the state public record laws.

Types of Warrants Issued in Hennepin County

Warrants in Hennepin County are court orders issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing specific actions. They may issue instructions to law enforcement, require a person to appear before a judge in court, or allow the search of locations, including homes and offices. Understanding the type of warrant involved in a matter is crucial when reviewing records, as each serves a distinct purpose.

Arrest Warrants: These warrants authorized law enforcement to arrest a person and take them into custody based on probable cause or proof that a crime was committed. In Hennepin County, this type of warrant is usually issued after criminal charges have been filed and will be reviewed by the courts.

Bench Warrants: A bench warrant is issued directly from a judge on the bench, usually when a person fails to attend a scheduled court hearing, violates their probation conditions, or does not comply with a court order. It instructs law enforcement to bring the subject of the warrant before the judge. Bench warrants are more administrative in nature and are common in probation, misdemeanor, and traffic cases heard at the Hennepin County District Court.

Search Warrant: A search warrant authorizes law enforcement agencies to search a specific person, vehicle, or location for evidence related to a crime or criminal investigation. These warrants are typically issued after an affidavit has been presented demonstrating probable cause. Records of these warrants are not found in public databases and may remain restricted until the investigation ends or the court unseals the case files.

While conducting a warrant search, the type of warrant will affect where the record is found, what information is publicly available, and details on how the warrant was resolved. This helps record seekers interpret them properly and understand why any information is restricted.

How Long Warrants Remain Active in Hennepin County

Depending on the type, warrants for Hennepin County generally remain active until the courts take formal action to cancel or recall them. No automatic expiration periods may exist based on time or age alone.

Arrest warrants are usually active indefinitely. Once a judge issues it, it will remain in effect until the person is apprehended or the court formally cancels or quashes the warrant. Arrest warrants may be active in the system for many years, depending on the charges, case status, and any later court orders.

Bench warrants are usually issued as a result of missed court dates and parole violations. They will also remain active indefinitely until addressed by the court. Their duration may last depending on whether the person turns themselves in voluntarily, the judge issues a recall of the warrant, or the case is dismissed or otherwise resolved.

Search warrants are the only warrants restricted by time. When they are issued in Hennepin County, they are given a time limit and typically must be executed within a short time. This is usually measured in a few days. If they are not executed within the given time, they expire and cease to be valid.

Databases for warrants in Hennepin County are generally updated on a regular and periodic basis. These court and law enforcement databases will be updated to reflect changes when a court order is entered or law enforcement reports a change in status. However, there may be short delays with a judge issuing or recalling a warrant, and the update showing on all public access systems.

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

If an individual discovers an active warrant during a search, there are several steps to be taken. First off, the result should be taken as the starting point of verification and not the final determination of their status. Warrant data is drawn from law enforcement and court data, which is updated frequently but not in real time. The following are steps to be taken if a warrant is found after a record search.

The first step is to properly verify the information. Public databases may display delayed or incomplete information; a name match alone is not enough to verify the records. Visit Hennepin County law enforcement or the district court to confirm the following.

• The full legal name and date of birth connected to the warrant
• The court case number and the issuing court
• The current status of the warrant. Whether it is active, recalled, or resolved

This will help confirm whether the warrant is still active and distinguish between any similarly named persons. Not all warrants appear in public systems; some may be sealed, expunged, or otherwise unavailable. There may also be delays in record updates, and a record that has been resolved or recalled may still appear as active online.

The next step is to understand the context of the warrant and the reason it was issued. Warrants can arise from new criminal charges, probation issues, and missed court appearances. The record seeker must examine the surrounding case history to see why the warrant was issued and how it fits in the wider court process.

For anyone who requires help in interpreting warrants or court records and understanding their available options, professional help and resources are available. Hiring an attorney or consulting court clerks, a legal aid organization, and other local legal professionals who are familiar with Hennepin County records and legal procedures is a valid option.