Jacksonville Warrant Records
Jacksonville warrant records are handled by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, which serves the entire consolidated city-county of Duval. With over one million residents, Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida by land area and population within its county limits. The JSO acts as both the city police force and the county sheriff, so all warrant records funnel through one agency. You can look up active warrants through the FDLE statewide database or by contacting JSO directly. The Duval County Clerk of Court also tracks warrant activity within criminal case dockets that are available to search online.
Jacksonville Quick Facts
Jacksonville Warrants Through JSO
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is the sole law enforcement agency for Duval County. Unlike most Florida cities, Jacksonville does not have a separate police department and sheriff's office. The two were merged in 1968 when the city and county governments consolidated. Every warrant in Jacksonville goes through JSO. The agency handles arrest warrants, bench warrants, capias warrants, and fugitive warrants for the entire county. JSO's main office is at 501 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can reach them at (904) 630-0500.
The Duval County Clerk of Court maintains criminal case files that include warrant records. When a judge issues an arrest warrant or a bench warrant in Jacksonville, the clerk logs it in the case docket. You can search these records online through the clerk's website. The clerk's office phone number is (904) 255-2000. The clerk also processes capias warrants that come from the court when someone fails to appear for a scheduled hearing in Jacksonville.
The clerk's online portal lets you pull up case dockets that show warrant entries for criminal cases filed in Jacksonville.
| JSO |
501 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 630-0500 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court |
501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 255-2000 |
Searching Jacksonville Warrant Records
Start with the FDLE Public Access System. The Wanted Persons search page lets you check for active warrants across all 67 Florida counties. Enter a name and search. It is free. No sign-up needed. The results cover Jacksonville and every other city in the state. The system shows the warrant type, issuing agency, and case details when available.
JSO also provides warrant information on the City of Jacksonville website. You can call their non-emergency line at (904) 630-0500 to ask about a specific warrant. Officers at the front desk can check the system for you. If you prefer to handle things online, the Duval County Clerk's case search is another good tool. Search by name or case number to find warrant entries in criminal dockets filed in Jacksonville.
Note: Jacksonville warrant records in the FDLE system may lag behind what JSO has in its own local database by a few days.
Warrant Types in Jacksonville
Arrest warrants are the most common type in Jacksonville. A judge signs one after a sworn affidavit shows probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. The warrant directs all sheriffs in Florida to arrest the named person. In Jacksonville, JSO handles both the issuance process and the execution. Arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. They stay active until the person is picked up or a judge recalls the warrant. Even old warrants from years back can still lead to an arrest during any contact with JSO.
Bench warrants come from judges when someone misses a court date in Jacksonville. These are common in traffic, misdemeanor, and felony cases alike. A capias is a court order that functions much like an arrest warrant. Violation of probation warrants go out when someone breaks the terms set by a Jacksonville judge. Fugitive warrants cover people wanted in other states who may be living in Jacksonville. Under Florida Statute 933.07, search warrants expire after 14 days. But arrest warrants in Jacksonville have no time limit at all.
Public Access to Jacksonville Warrants
Warrant records in Jacksonville are public. Florida's Sunshine Law, codified in Florida Statute 119.07, gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records from state and local agencies. You do not need to be the person named on the warrant. You do not have to explain why you want the information. JSO and the Duval County Clerk must provide access to warrant records that are not otherwise exempt.
Some records are exempt from public disclosure. Active criminal intelligence and investigative information is protected. Search warrant affidavits stay sealed until the warrant is served or until law enforcement says it cannot be carried out. Under Florida Statute 901.04, officers serving warrants must inform the person of the cause of arrest and that a warrant exists. The officer does not need the physical warrant on hand at the time of arrest in Jacksonville, but must show it to the person if asked later. Some warrants that JSO has not yet entered into public databases may not show up in online searches.
Note: Not all Jacksonville warrants appear in online systems right away, especially those tied to active investigations.
Resolving a Jacksonville Warrant
If you discover an active warrant in your name in Jacksonville, talk to a lawyer first. Do not walk into the JSO office or the Duval County jail without legal counsel. When you turn yourself in under Florida law, you go into custody before you can post bond. A criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville can advise you on the best approach based on the type of warrant and the charges.
Under Florida Statute 901.16, the arresting officer must tell you why you are being arrested. If the arrest is based on a warrant, the officer must state that. The officer does not need to have the warrant in hand but must show it to you if asked. For bench warrants issued in Jacksonville courts, your attorney may be able to file a motion to quash the warrant and get a new court date set. This is often the simplest way to handle a missed court appearance without spending time in jail.
Duval County Warrant Records
Jacksonville and Duval County are one and the same. The consolidated government means JSO handles all warrants countywide. There is no separate county sheriff or city police. For more details on the Duval County court system, clerk contacts, and warrant search tools, visit the full county page.