Sedgwick County Warrant Search

A warrant is a court document that authorizes peace officers to execute specific actions, such as an arrest or a search of someone's residence. A warrant search in the County of Sedgwick, Kansas, typically involves reviewing police and court records to determine whether an active warrant exists. The search helps individuals stay informed of pending legal issues, which, if left unresolved, can lead to serious repercussions like an arrest or possible jail time.

A successful Sedgwick County warrant search can disclose the warrant subject's full name and last known address, the warrant type, the grounds for issuance, and, if applicable, the bond amount. If an individual is arrested due to a warrant, one can access the Sedgwick County arrest records to obtain detailed information about the arrest.

Are Warrants Public Records?

Yes, warrants in Sedgwick County are considered public records under the Kansas Open Records Act. However, the public may not see or examine certain information or documents.

For example, supporting affidavits or sworn statements may be restricted to the public. The availability of such records typically depends on the issuance timeline—warrants issued before or after July 1, 2014, may require a written court order for access. Nevertheless, warrant subjects and their legal counsels may access affidavits or sworn statements at any time.

Additionally, search warrants issued for tracking devices remain confidential until executed, and warrants involving juveniles are typically not public.

Types of Warrants in Sedgwick County

Sedgwick County's 18th Judicial District Court (largely responsible for warrant issuances in the region) and municipal courts primarily issue three types of warrants: arrest, bench, and search warrants.

Arrest and search warrants are typically issued as part of criminal proceedings, while bench warrants can be issued for criminal and civil cases. When an arrest warrant is issued for a criminal case (also called a criminal warrant), it can be released for a felony, misdemeanor, or failure to appear offense.

Do I Have a Warrant in Sedgwick County?

Individuals can determine if they have active warrants in Sedgwick County using the following methods:

• Contacting the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office or other local police departments
• Performing an online search on available law enforcement and court databases
• Asking an attorney to handle the warrant check

Active Warrant Search in Sedgwick

The process of searching for active warrants can differ depending on the warrant. However, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, and courts generally maintain records of warrants issued in the county. The information below can be used to locate two of Sedgwick County's most common warrants.

Arrest Warrant Search

Law enforcement agencies are the authorized executors of arrest warrants in Sedgwick County and maintain records of such writs. The chief law enforcement agency in Sedgwick County is the Sheriff’s Department. Inquirers can visit the office's Records Department at:

141 West Elm
1st floor
Wichita, KS 67203
Phone: (316) 660-3888

Alternatively, one may input a first and last name into the Sheriff’s Warrant Search database to verify the existence of an arrest warrant. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office also publishes a Top 10 Most Wanted list to inform the public about individuals actively sought in the county.

Individuals can also check with the local police department in the city they live in for active arrest warrants.

Bench Warrant Lookup

A bench warrant is issued when a litigant fails to comply with a court order, like failing to appear on a scheduled date. To inquire about an active bench warrant in Sedgwick County, individuals can visit the court where a case is open. Researchers can also search the Sheriff’s Warrant Search database for bench warrants since law enforcement agencies also execute bench warrants. Bear in mind that courts do not maintain records of bench warrants they did not issue.

Free Warrant Search

In Sedgwick County, there is no cost assessed for searching or examining warrants. Members of the public can access the Sheriff’s Warrant Search portal to obtain warrant information or query another custodian for free. However, the inquirer may pay a fee if they wish to obtain copies.

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes. Individuals can check for Sedgwick County warrants online through third-party sources. Several external websites provide researchers with warrant information. Countywide warrant searches can typically be performed on third-party websites with a subject’s first and last name. However, viewing the search results may not be free, and the information provided may not be current. If the warrant information is needed for legal purposes, it is best to search through official sources.

Do Warrants Expire?

Most warrants issued in Sedgwick County have no set expiry date, with the exception of search warrants issued for the installation of tracking devices. Such search warrants are valid for 30 days, after which they become invalid unless a magistrate grants an extension—which can only be approved for good cause and cannot exceed an additional 30 days (K.S.A 22-2502).

Besides a statutory deadline, certain circumstances may affect a warrant's legitimacy. For example, a warrant can be voided if a court withdraws it, possibly because a judge/magistrate determined it was no longer necessary or found new evidence. However, a minor defect in a warrant does not affect its authorized action or render it invalid.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office publishes a guideline for withdrawing warrants in the county, which essentially entails the subject turning themselves in. However, persons who wish to resolve an active warrant without surrendering may seek legal assistance from an attorney. A lawyer may be able to address the underlying issues tied to the warrant, potentially leading to its resolution without the subject being apprehended and detained.

Note that clearing a warrant without facing potential jail time may be impossible for serious offenses, particularly those tied to sexual and violent crimes.