Flagler County Public Records /Flagler County Warrant Search

Flagler County Warrant Search

What Is a Search Warrant In Flagler County?

A search warrant in Flagler County is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specifically designated place for particular described items and to seize such items if found. Search warrants are fundamental legal instruments that balance the government's need to investigate crimes against citizens' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Search warrants in Flagler County are governed by Florida Statutes § 933.02, which outlines the grounds upon which a search warrant may be issued. These include:

When the property was stolen or embezzled
When the property was used as a means to commit a crime
When the property constitutes evidence relevant to proving a felony has been committed
When the property is being held in violation of the laws prohibiting specified activities

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 12 of the Florida Constitution provide the constitutional framework for search warrants, requiring probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and items to be seized.

Search warrants differ significantly from other types of warrants issued in Flagler County:

Arrest warrants authorize law enforcement to take a person into custody
Bench warrants are issued by a judge when someone fails to appear for a scheduled court date
Capias warrants are issued when a person fails to comply with a court order
Civil warrants relate to non-criminal matters such as evictions or civil judgments

Each warrant type serves a distinct legal purpose within Flagler County's judicial system.

Are Warrants Public Records In Flagler County?

The public record status of warrants in Flagler County follows a nuanced framework governed by Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Generally, most warrants become public records once they have been executed or served.

The accessibility of warrant information depends on several key factors:

Executed warrants: Once a search warrant has been executed and returned to the court, it typically becomes part of the public record, accessible through the Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court.
Active warrants: Unexecuted warrants may be temporarily exempt from public disclosure while they remain active to prevent interference with ongoing investigations or to avoid alerting subjects who might flee.
Sealed warrants: Under Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, judges may seal warrants in certain circumstances, such as when disclosure would jeopardize an investigation or endanger witnesses.
Juvenile records: Warrants involving juvenile offenders have additional confidentiality protections under Florida Statutes § 985.04.

The Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains warrant records that have been filed with the court and are not under seal or otherwise exempt from public disclosure.

Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #1
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4400
Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court

How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Flagler County?

Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Flagler County have several official channels available. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office maintains the most current warrant information and provides multiple methods for warrant verification:

Online Warrant Search: The Flagler County Sheriff's Office offers an online warrant search tool through their website, allowing individuals to search by name.
In-Person Inquiry: Individuals may visit the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to request a warrant check.
Telephone Verification: The Sheriff's Office Warrants Division can verify warrant status by telephone, though they may require personal identifying information.
Clerk of Court Records: The Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains court records that may include warrant information for cases that have been processed through the court system.

For the most accurate and current information, contacting the Flagler County Sheriff's Office directly is recommended:

Flagler County Sheriff's Office
901 E. Moody Boulevard
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 437-4116
Flagler County Sheriff's Office

Individuals with reason to believe they may have an outstanding warrant should consider consulting with a legal professional before contacting law enforcement, as active warrants may result in immediate arrest.

How To Check for Warrants in Flagler County for Free in 2026

Flagler County residents and interested parties can access warrant information at no cost through several official channels. The following methods provide free access to warrant information:

Sheriff's Office Online Warrant Search: The Flagler County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of active warrants that can be accessed without charge. Users can search by first and last name.
Flagler County Clerk's Public Access System: The Clerk of Circuit Court offers a free online records search system that includes court cases which may contain warrant information.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Wanted Persons Search: For more serious offenses, the FDLE maintains a statewide database of wanted persons that includes Flagler County warrants.

To conduct a free warrant search:

Visit the Flagler County Sheriff's Office website
Navigate to the "Warrants" or "Inmate Information" section
Enter the name of the person for whom you're checking
Review any results, noting that absence from the list doesn't guarantee no warrant exists
For verification, contact the Sheriff's Office Warrants Division directly

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Law Enforcement

When conducting warrant searches, individuals should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name, date of birth, and possibly address to ensure accurate results.

What Types of Warrants In Flagler County

Flagler County's judicial system issues several distinct types of warrants, each serving specific legal purposes within the criminal justice framework:

Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody. Arrest warrants in Flagler County must comply with Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.121.

Bench Warrants: Issued directly by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing or violates a court order. These warrants direct law enforcement to bring the person before the court.

Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified premises for evidence of criminal activity. Search warrants in Flagler County must meet the requirements of Florida Statutes Chapter 933.

Capias Warrants: Similar to bench warrants, these are issued when a defendant fails to appear in court after being released on bail or violates probation terms.

Civil Warrants: Used in non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement, evictions, or civil judgments.

Fugitive Warrants: Issued when a person is wanted in another jurisdiction and is believed to be in Flagler County.

John/Jane Doe Warrants: Issued when the identity of a suspect is unknown but DNA or other identifying characteristics are available.

Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements under Florida law and must be properly executed by authorized law enforcement personnel.

What Warrants in Flagler County Contain

Warrants issued in Flagler County contain specific legally required elements as prescribed by Florida Statutes and the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure. A properly executed warrant typically includes:

Case Number: A unique identifier assigned by the court for tracking purposes
Subject Information: Full legal name of the subject, physical description, date of birth, and last known address when available
Issuing Authority: Name and title of the judge or magistrate who issued the warrant
Date of Issuance: The date when the warrant was signed and became effective
Offense Details: Description of the alleged criminal offense, including the Florida Statute violated and classification (misdemeanor or felony)
Probable Cause Statement: Brief summary of the facts establishing probable cause for the warrant
Bond Information: Amount of bail, if applicable, or notation if the subject is to be held without bail
For Search Warrants: Detailed description of the location to be searched and items to be seized, as required by Florida Statutes § 933.05
Service Instructions: Any special instructions for law enforcement regarding execution of the warrant
Return Information: Space for documenting the execution of the warrant, including date, time, and officer information

The content requirements for warrants in Flagler County ensure constitutional protections are maintained while providing law enforcement with the necessary authority to perform their duties.

Who Issues Warrants In Flagler County

In Flagler County, the authority to issue warrants is vested exclusively in the judicial branch of government. The following judicial officers have the power to issue warrants:

Circuit Court Judges: These judges of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which includes Flagler County, have the broadest authority to issue all types of warrants throughout the county.
County Court Judges: Flagler County Court judges may issue warrants for matters within their jurisdiction, primarily involving misdemeanors and certain civil matters.
Magistrates: In some instances, court-appointed magistrates may be authorized to issue certain types of warrants based on delegated judicial authority.

The warrant issuance process typically begins with a law enforcement officer or prosecutor presenting an affidavit to the judicial officer. This affidavit must establish probable cause that:

A crime has been committed (for arrest warrants)
Evidence of a crime exists at a specific location (for search warrants)

The judicial officer reviews the affidavit and may ask clarifying questions before determining whether probable cause exists. If satisfied that the legal threshold has been met, the judge will sign the warrant, making it immediately effective.

Flagler County Courthouse
1769 E. Moody Boulevard
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4400
Seventh Judicial Circuit

All warrant issuance in Flagler County must comply with the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 12 of the Florida Constitution, and applicable Florida Statutes.

How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Flagler County

Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Flagler County can utilize several official resources to conduct a comprehensive search. The following methods provide access to warrant information:

Sheriff's Office Warrant Database: The Flagler County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable online database of active warrants that is updated regularly.
Clerk of Circuit Court Records: The Flagler County Clerk's Office provides access to court records that may contain information about warrants that have been processed through the court system.
Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC): Law enforcement agencies can access this statewide database that includes warrant information from all Florida counties, including Flagler.

To conduct a thorough search for outstanding warrants:

Begin with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office website warrant search
Check the Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court's online case search system
For verification of results, contact the Sheriff's Office Warrants Division directly
Consider requesting a criminal history check from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a comprehensive statewide search

Flagler County Sheriff's Office - Warrants Division
901 E. Moody Boulevard
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 437-4116
Flagler County Sheriff's Office

When searching for warrant information, be prepared to provide full name, date of birth, and possibly address information to ensure accurate results. Name-only searches may return false positives due to common names or false negatives if the name is spelled differently on the warrant.

How To Check Federal Warrants In Flagler County

Federal warrants operate under a separate legal system from Flagler County's state and local warrants. These warrants are issued for violations of federal law and are processed through the federal court system. To check for federal warrants:

U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida: Federal warrants in Flagler County fall under the jurisdiction of the Middle District of Florida. The court's electronic records system (PACER) provides access to federal case information, though active warrant information may be restricted.
U.S. Marshals Service: As the primary agency responsible for executing federal warrants, the U.S. Marshals Service maintains information on individuals with active federal warrants. They do not provide public access to their warrant database, but do publish a "Most Wanted" list.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI maintains a publicly accessible "Most Wanted" list that includes individuals with federal warrants for serious offenses.

Unlike county warrants, federal warrant information is not typically available through local sheriff's offices or county clerks. Individuals concerned about possible federal warrants should:

Contact the U.S. District Court Clerk's Office for the Middle District of Florida
Consult with a federal criminal defense attorney who can make appropriate inquiries
Check the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service "Most Wanted" listings

U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida
300 North Hogan Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 549-1900
U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida

Federal warrants typically involve more serious offenses such as interstate crimes, immigration violations, federal drug charges, or financial crimes that cross state lines.

How Long Do Warrants Last In Flagler County?

Warrants issued in Flagler County remain legally valid until they are executed, recalled by the court, or otherwise resolved through legal processes. Unlike some legal documents, warrants do not have built-in expiration dates under Florida law. The duration of different warrant types follows these general principles:

Arrest Warrants: Remain active indefinitely until the subject is apprehended or the warrant is recalled by judicial order. This principle is established in Florida case law and supported by Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.121.
Search Warrants: While the warrant itself does not expire, Florida Statutes § 933.05 requires that search warrants be executed within 10 days of issuance. After this period, the warrant cannot be legally executed but remains in court records.
Bench Warrants: Remain active until the subject appears before the court or the warrant is withdrawn by judicial order.
Statute of Limitations Considerations: While the warrant itself does not expire, the underlying criminal charge may be subject to statute of limitations restrictions. However, in Florida, the issuance of a warrant typically tolls (pauses) the statute of limitations.

The perpetual nature of warrants in Flagler County means that unresolved warrants can remain active for decades, potentially resulting in arrest many years after issuance. This underscores the importance of resolving any known warrants promptly through appropriate legal channels.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Flagler County?

The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Flagler County varies based on several factors, including case urgency, judicial availability, and the complexity of the investigation. The process typically follows these steps and timelines:

Standard Procedure: Under normal circumstances, obtaining a search warrant involves preparing an affidavit, locating an available judge, presenting the affidavit for review, and having the warrant signed. This process typically takes between several hours to one business day.
Emergency Situations: In urgent cases involving imminent danger or risk of evidence destruction, expedited procedures exist. Flagler County law enforcement can request emergency warrant consideration, potentially reducing the process to 1-2 hours.
Electronic Warrants: Florida law permits the use of electronic transmission for warrant applications under Florida Statutes § 933.07, allowing officers to obtain warrants without physically appearing before a judge. This system can significantly reduce processing time.
After-Hours Warrants: Flagler County maintains a rotating schedule of judges available for after-hours warrant review, ensuring 24/7 availability for urgent situations.
Complex Investigations: Warrants involving complex financial crimes, digital evidence, or multi-location searches may require more detailed affidavits and longer preparation time, potentially extending the process to several days.

Once issued, search warrants in Flagler County must be executed within 10 days, after which they become invalid for execution purposes, though they remain part of the court record.