Call Arizona DPS at 602-223-2233 and they will conduct a search over the phone. You need the person’s name and date of birth to perform a search.
Please note that individuals who believe they have a warrant for a felony in Maricopa County may also call the Criminal Courts Department information desk at 602-506-8575 for a free warrant search. You need the person’s name and date of birth to perform a search. More information on the Maricopa County warrant and court can be found here.
Types of warrants issued in Arizona
There are three types of warrants commonly issued in Arizona:
- Warrants: A judge issues one Arrest warrant issued when a defendant fails to show up for a scheduled court hearing. These are commonly used in child support cases, traffic courts, and probation violations. The purpose of an arrest warrant is to compel the accused to appear in court, either voluntarily or by allowing local police to arrest and hold the accused until they can be brought to justice.
- Arrest Warrants: Sometimes called criminal warrants, a warrant is generally issued when law enforcement provides evidence in court that a suspect is guilty of a crime. Penalty warrants are far more serious than arrest warrants and should never be taken lightly.
- Search Warrants: The court may issue a search warrant based on a probable cause, allowing law enforcement to search and seize property.
What do I do if I find out I have an arrest warrant?
If you find out you have an outstanding warrant out for your arrest, don’t panic. You want to act quickly and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you minimize the damage. A lawyer will take steps to obtain information about the court order and may appear on your behalf. When an arrest is unavoidable, hiring an attorney can minimize the impact of your arrest. The lawyer will prepare you for the arrest, court appearance and any questions the police or court may ask you.
If you do nothing, you risk serious consequences. A simple traffic stop could land you in jail with a pending warrant.
Arizona search warrant
A search warrant is a request from a judge authorizing law enforcement to search a specific location. This can only be done on the basis of an affidavit in writing from a law enforcement officer and only on the basis of the likelihood of a criminal offence. An Arizona search warrant will state the address to be checked and anything to be seized, along with information about the person involved, if known. The search warrant allows law enforcement to search a home even when the resident is not present.
You can call an Arizona police station and ask if they have a warrant out for your arrest. Of course, this can be a risky strategy as you will be questioned by the police for the warrant. A less direct strategy is most likely a more appropriate option. You can search the internet for a county courthouse or sheriff’s office to see if they list any outstanding warrants. In the larger counties, you should expect these records to be more accurate than in smaller counties. In fact, smaller counties may not have these types of resources. To obtain federal warrants, you should find the federal courthouse in your county.
Arizona Search Warrants
Courts may issue a search warrant based on a probable cause that a person is guilty of a crime. A search warrant allows the police to search and seize property.