Clay County Warrant Records

Clay County warrant records are kept by the sheriff's office and the Clerk of Courts in Green Cove Springs. Located just south of Jacksonville, Clay County has about 215,000 residents and is one of the faster-growing counties in northeast Florida. The sheriff handles warrant enforcement throughout the county, while the clerk maintains court case records that include warrant entries. You can search for active warrants using the free FDLE statewide database or check the clerk's online system for bench warrants and capias entries. Most warrant records in Clay County are open to the public under Florida's Sunshine Law.

Clay County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Clay County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. They handle warrant service, enforcement, and records. The main office is at 901 N. Orange Avenue in Green Cove Springs. Phone is (904) 529-6080. The sheriff's deputies serve all types of warrants that come from the 4th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Duval and Nassau counties.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office website has information on records requests and how to reach different divisions.

Because Clay County sits right next to Duval County (Jacksonville), there is a lot of cross-county warrant activity. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants from Clay County go out to all sheriffs in the state. A person wanted in Clay County can be arrested in any Florida county. The sheriff's office sends people to the FDLE Public Access System for free warrant lookups.

Clay Clerk of Courts Records

The Clay County Clerk of Courts keeps all court case files, which include records showing warrant activity. The office is at 825 N. Orange Avenue in Green Cove Springs. Phone is (904) 269-6302. When a judge in the 4th Judicial Circuit issues a bench warrant or capias in a Clay County case, the clerk enters it into the docket. You can search these records through the clerk's online case search tool.

The Clay County Clerk's website has an online portal where you can look up court cases by name or case number.

Docket entries will show when a warrant was issued, its type, and whether it has been resolved. The clerk handles requests for copies of court documents in person and by mail. Standard copy fees apply for regular and certified documents. The office is open during normal business hours on weekdays.

Note: Clay County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit with Duval and Nassau, so some circuit-level searches may return results from those counties as well.

How to Search Clay County Warrants

Start with the FDLE Public Access System. It is free and does not require a login. Go to the wanted persons page and enter a name. The tool pulls active warrant data from all 67 Florida counties, including Clay. You will see the warrant type and the agency that filed it. This is the same system law enforcement uses for warrant verification.

The Clay County Clerk's online case search is useful for finding bench warrants and capias entries tied to specific court cases. It gives more detail than the FDLE system for Clay County cases. You can see the full docket, including dates and descriptions of each court action. For direct help, call the sheriff at (904) 529-6080 or the clerk at (904) 269-6302. Both offices are in Green Cove Springs.

Warrant Types in Clay County

Clay County processes several types of warrants. Arrest warrants are signed by a judge after finding probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. These are the most common type. Bench warrants get issued when a defendant misses a scheduled court date. The judge orders the person arrested and brought before the court. Capias warrants come through the clerk and work in a similar way. Violation of probation warrants are also common in Clay County when someone breaks probation terms.

Search warrants follow different rules. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant must be executed within 14 days or it expires. Arrest warrants in Clay County have no expiration. They stay active until the person is arrested or the judge decides to recall the warrant. Warrants that are years old can still lead to an arrest at a traffic stop or during any other encounter with police.

Note: Because Clay County borders Duval County, warrant enforcement often involves coordination between the two agencies, especially for fugitives who move between counties.

Public Access to Clay Warrants

Florida's Sunshine Law makes warrant records in Clay County available to the public. Under Florida Statute 119.07, anyone can inspect and copy public records from the sheriff's office or the clerk of courts. You do not need to be the subject of the warrant. No reason for the search is needed. This covers all government agencies in Clay County.

Some records may be limited. Active criminal intelligence can be withheld. Search warrant affidavits sometimes stay sealed until the warrant is executed. Under Florida Statute 901.16, when an officer arrests someone on a warrant, they must tell the person why they are being taken in and that a warrant was issued. The physical warrant does not have to be present at the time of the arrest, but the officer must show it on request.

What to Do About a Warrant

If you have a warrant in Clay County, contact a lawyer before doing anything else. An attorney can help you understand the charges and figure out the best way to handle the surrender. Turning yourself in without legal advice often means a longer stay in jail. When you surrender on a warrant in Florida, you are booked into custody before bond can be posted. A bail bondsman in the Green Cove Springs or Orange Park area can help with the bond once it is set.

Warrants do not expire in Clay County. They stay active until the person is arrested or the warrant is recalled. Even a very old warrant can result in an arrest during a routine traffic stop. Handling it sooner puts you in better control of the situation.

Nearby Counties

Clay County sits just south of Jacksonville in northeast Florida. If you are not sure which county holds the warrant, check the address of the offense. Warrants are filed in the county where the case was opened.