Access Franklin County Warrant Records

Franklin County warrant records are managed by the sheriff's office in Eastpoint and the Clerk of Courts in Apalachicola. This Gulf Coast county in the Florida Panhandle has only about 12,000 residents, making it one of the least populated in the state. It falls within the Second Judicial Circuit. To search for active warrants in Franklin County, start with the FDLE statewide database. The sheriff's office handles warrant enforcement locally, and the clerk keeps court records that show bench warrants and capias entries. Even in a county this small, Florida's public records laws still apply, so most warrant information is available to anyone who asks.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is at 270 State Road 65 in Eastpoint. Phone is (850) 670-8500. They handle all warrant service in the county. Deputies serve arrest warrants, bench warrants, and capias orders issued by Franklin County judges. They also carry out warrants from other Florida counties when needed. Florida Statute 901.04 makes it possible for any sheriff in the state to execute a warrant from any county, so a Franklin County warrant can be served anywhere in Florida.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office website has contact information and details about law enforcement services in the area.

Because the county is so small, the sheriff's office works closely with neighboring agencies in Gulf, Wakulla, and Liberty counties. If someone with a Franklin County warrant is spotted in a nearby jurisdiction, deputies there can make the arrest. The office does not offer a public warrant search tool on their website. For online lookups, they refer people to the FDLE system.

Franklin County Clerk of Courts

The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is at 33 Market Street, Suite 203, in Apalachicola. Phone is (850) 653-8861. The clerk keeps all court records for the county. When a judge issues a bench warrant or capias in a Franklin County case, the clerk adds it to the case docket. You can ask for copies of these records in person or by phone.

The clerk's office in a county this size tends to be pretty accessible. Staff can look up records by name or case number and tell you what is in the file. Criminal case dockets show warrant dates, types, and current status. Under Florida Statute 119.07, these records are public and available to anyone without a stated reason. Copies come with a small per-page fee.

Note: Franklin County's clerk office may not have an extensive online portal, so calling or visiting in person is often the best way to get detailed case records.

Searching Franklin County Warrants

The FDLE Public Access System is the go-to tool for warrant checks in Franklin County. It is free and does not require an account. Enter a name and it searches all 67 Florida counties for active warrants. If there is an open warrant in Franklin County, it should show up in the results with the warrant type and the issuing agency listed.

For court-specific records, contact the clerk's office directly at (850) 653-8861. They can pull up case dockets and tell you if a bench warrant or capias has been filed. The sheriff's office at (850) 670-8500 can also confirm whether a person has an outstanding warrant in Franklin County. In a county this size, phone calls tend to get answered and resolved the same day.

Ways to search for Franklin County warrants:

• FDLE Public Access System for active warrants across Florida
• Call the sheriff at (850) 670-8500
• Call the clerk at (850) 653-8861
• Visit the courthouse at 33 Market Street in Apalachicola

Warrant Types in Franklin County

Arrest warrants are the standard type in Franklin County. A judge issues one when probable cause exists, per Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants get issued for missed court dates. Capias orders are similar and sometimes come from the clerk of circuit court. Even in a small county like Franklin, these same warrant types apply under Florida law.

Search warrants have a 14-day window under Florida Statute 933.07. If they are not executed in that time, they expire. Arrest warrants in Franklin County carry no expiration. They sit in the system until the person is picked up or a judge pulls the warrant back. A warrant from years ago can still trigger an arrest during a routine traffic stop or other law enforcement encounter.

Handling a Franklin County Warrant

If you find a warrant in your name in Franklin County, get a lawyer first. Do not show up at the sheriff's office or the courthouse without legal advice. When you turn yourself in, you go into custody. Then you work on bond. A bail bondsman or defense attorney can guide you through the steps. Under Florida Statute 901.16, the officer arresting you must tell you the reason and mention the warrant. They do not need the physical warrant at the scene but must show it if you ask.

Franklin County warrants do not expire on their own. An old warrant can still cause problems if you come into contact with any law enforcement officer in Florida. The smart move is to address it with a lawyer and deal with it on your own terms rather than getting surprised.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is surrounded by a few Panhandle counties. If you are unsure where a warrant was filed, check the location where the offense took place.