Virginia Warrant Search

Many people often only become aware of an existing warrant in Virginia when law enforcement officers execute the warrant. However, citizens can take proactive steps to find Virginia warrants by conducting a warrant search.

A Virginia warrant search helps determine if a person is on the wanted list of the state or a locality. The search can be conducted through various bodies, including law enforcement departments and private aggregate websites.

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is a legal document directing law enforcement officers to carry out an action, such as searching a property or apprehending an individual. Under the US Fourth Amendment, judges and other authorized persons cannot issue warrants without probable cause. This ensures citizens are safe from unjustified physical intrusions or seizures.

Common warrants in the Commonwealth include arrest, bench, and search warrants.

Are Warrants Public Record in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia warrants are public records per the state's Freedom of Information Act. Thus, private citizens may query law enforcement offices for active or pending warrants.

However, the Act typically prohibits the disclosure of warrant information that could:

• Cause a subject to flee.
• Threaten the progress of an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution.
• Jeopardize the safety of a suspect or victim.
• Cause a suspect to destroy crucial evidence.

Further, sensitive information regarding warrant subjects, such as Social Security numbers, is confidential. Likewise, warrant information within expunged criminal records is not available for public perusal.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Virginia?

Third-party websites are often ideal repositories for members of the public who wish to look up warrants in Virginia.

Interested persons may utilize a site's search tool for county, statewide, and nationwide public warrant information. One may also find other public records on such websites, like arrest and criminal records.

Typical search parameters used on third-party sites are a person's first and last name and a city or state. However, a fee for downloading a complete report on a third-party website may apply. Depending on a vendor's terms and conditions, a user may be offered a subscription or pay-per-search model. Admittedly, many subscription packages offer a free trial of $2 to $4.95 for a limited period.

It is advised to verify information received from third-party service providers against government sources for authenticity and completeness. This is because warrants may become void at any time.

What is a Search Warrant?

A Virginia search warrant is a legal paper permitting a law enforcement officer to enter a designated location or access an item to search for and seize criminal evidence. A judge or magistrate may release this warrant upon probable cause stated in an affidavit by a requesting officer.

• Are Search Warrants Public Records in Virginia?

  No, search warrants are not public records in Virginia. Per VA Code § 19.2-54, search warrants are closed to the public until executed or after 15 days from issuance, whichever happens earlier.

• How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in Virginia?

  A law enforcement officer must demonstrate probable cause to obtain a search warrant in Virginia. The time until a judge or magistrate becomes convinced that a search is justified and appends their signature to a warrant is not defined by any statute or rule.

• How Long Does a Search Warrant Last?

  A Virginia search warrant only lasts 15 days after issuance (VA Code § 19.2-56). If a search warrant is not executed within the time frame, the police must return the warrant to the issuing officer as "unexecuted." Subsequently, the judge or issuing officer will declare the warrant void.

What is a Bench Warrant?

A Virginia bench warrant is an order issued at a court's discretion to arrest individuals who violated a court order or failed to attend a court hearing. Anyone who receives a bench warrant in the Commonwealth is advised to report to the issuing court, or they may risk an arrest.

What is an Arrest Warrant?

An arrest warrant is an order by a judge, magistrate, or clerk (of a circuit court, general district court, domestic relations, or juvenile court) to arrest a person suspected of a criminal offense. Per VA Code § 19.2-72, a court may only issue an arrest warrant upon probable cause, which may be demonstrated in a criminal complaint or affidavit.

Nonetheless, every arrest warrant in Virginia lists the accused, their physical description, charge(s), and a directive for law enforcement to arrest and bring the accused before a court of competent jurisdiction in the county or town where the offense was allegedly committed.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Virginia

Interested persons can check if they have a warrant in Virginia through a county sheriff's office or police department.

Inquirers may visit a sheriff's office or police department during business hours or access an online database on an agency's website to look up warrants. However, one may need to provide personal information like a full name or government-issued identification.

An alternative to check warrants is to query a county district or circuit court. One may visit the court or search the statewide court case search systems on the judicial branch's website.

Can You Check Warrants Online in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia's courts and law enforcement agencies provide online databases to find warrant information online.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

County sheriff's offices and local police departments provide online search tools for members of the public to find outstanding warrants within a jurisdiction.

For example, the City of Virginia Beach maintains an online warrant search tool for interested persons. Other agencies, like the Saint Louis County Sheriff's Office, Norfolk County Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department, City of Newport News Police Department, and Danville County Police Department, also maintain similar databases or listings.

Warrant information that may obtained online includes:

• A subject's name
• Year of birth
• Physical descriptors (gender, race, weight, height, eye color, and hair color)
• Type of crime
• Warrant charge (failure to appear in court, credit card larceny, assault, burglary, etc.)
• Type of warrant (Capias, summons, arrest, etc.)
• Number of outstanding warrants
• Issuing agency
• Issuing date

Court System

Individuals can also find warrant information in Virginia through the state's court system. For example, the Virginia General District Courts maintain a statewide Online Case Information System where anyone can find case records, including whether a warrant was released in a civil, criminal, or traffic case. Individuals can search other trial courts via the state judiciary's Online Case Information System 2.0. Other court case search systems are provided on the judicial branch's website.

Generally, a system can be searched by court and a person's name.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

Individuals can conduct a free warrant check in Virginia in person or online through police and sheriff's departments. Further, courts do not typically charge persons who wish to inspect their records. As a result, a person can review an open court case for issued warrants.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free

Many county police and sheriff warrant divisions in Virginia provide online databases for members of the public to perform a warrant search for free. However, an agency may charge a nominal fee to produce copies of any record.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Virginia?

Most Virginia warrants stay active until executed and returned to the court system. This rule allows the state to uphold justice and ensure public order and safety.

However, search warrants in Virginia expire after 15 days. Still, a court may reissue a search warrant or extend the timeline if probable cause exists.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

The United States Marshals Service maintains comprehensive information on warrants. However, only authorized persons can access the agency's Warrant Information System (WIN).

Typically, federal warrants are not revealed publicly until executed. Nevertheless, one may still send a FOIA request to the US Marshals Service. The request can be submitted electronically through the US Marshals FOIA Portal or by mail to the address below.

United States Marshals Service

Attention: FOI/PA Officer

Office of General Counsel

CS-3, 15th Floor,

Washington, DC 20350-0001