Find Liberty County Warrant Records

Liberty County warrant records are handled by the Liberty County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bristol. This is one of the smallest counties in Florida with only about 8,000 residents. Despite its size, the county follows the same warrant procedures as every other county in the state. You can search for active warrants through the FDLE statewide database at no cost or call the sheriff's office directly. The clerk keeps court records that include bench warrants and capias entries. Florida's Sunshine Law applies here just as it does everywhere else, which means most warrant records in Liberty County are open to public access.

Liberty County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Liberty County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They serve all warrants issued by judges in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The office is at 12499 Pogo Street in Bristol. Call (850) 643-2235 for questions about warrants or records. With such a small population, Liberty County processes fewer warrants than most Florida counties, but the procedures and legal requirements are the same.

The sheriff's office does not have an online warrant search tool. For warrant lookups in Liberty County, they refer people to the FDLE Public Access System. This statewide tool is free and pulls active warrant data from all 67 Florida counties.

In a county this small, calling the sheriff's office directly is often the quickest way to find out about a specific warrant. Deputies know the area well and can check their records by phone in most cases.

Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants are directed to all sheriffs in the state. A warrant filed in Liberty County can be served by any law enforcement officer in Florida. Deputies here can also serve warrants that were issued in other counties.

Liberty County Clerk of Court Records

The Liberty County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all court case files that include warrant information. The clerk's office is at 10818 NW State Road 20 in Bristol. You can reach them at (850) 643-2215. When a judge in Liberty County signs a bench warrant or capias, the clerk enters it into the case docket. You can request records by calling or visiting the office in person.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers Liberty County along with Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties. Court records from Liberty County are part of this circuit's system. For copies of documents tied to a warrant, the clerk's office can help with in-person or mail requests. In a county this size, the staff can often pull records quickly since the volume of cases is much lower than larger counties.

Note: Liberty County processes a small number of warrant cases each year, so phone inquiries are usually handled the same day.

How to Search Liberty County Warrants

The best way to check for warrants in Liberty County is the FDLE Public Access System. Go to the wanted persons search and type in the name you want to look up. It is free and open to everyone. Results show active warrants from all 67 Florida counties. The warrant type and issuing agency are included in the results.

Calling the sheriff's office is another good option in Liberty County. The staff can check their records for you by phone. The clerk's office can help with court case records that include bench warrants. In a small county like Liberty, direct contact with these offices tends to be faster than working through online databases alone. Here are your search options:

• FDLE Public Access System for statewide active warrants
• Liberty County Sheriff's Office by phone at (850) 643-2235
• Clerk of Courts at (850) 643-2215 for bench warrants and capias
• In-person visit to the clerk at 10818 NW State Road 20 in Bristol

Warrant Types in Liberty County

Liberty County uses the same warrant types as every other county in Florida. Arrest warrants are signed by a judge after law enforcement presents probable cause as required under Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants come when someone misses a court date. A capias serves a similar purpose and gets issued by the clerk. These all go into the Liberty County court system.

Search warrants work on a different timeline. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant expires after 14 days if not served. Arrest warrants in Liberty County do not expire at all. They stay on the books until the person is found or a judge recalls the warrant. Even in a small county, old warrants remain active and can lead to arrest during a traffic stop or any other police contact.

Public Access to Liberty County Warrants

Warrant records in Liberty County are public under Florida's Sunshine Law. Florida Statute 119.07 says anyone can look at and copy public records from state and local agencies. You do not need to be the person on the warrant. You do not need to give a reason for the request. Both the sheriff's office and the clerk of courts in Liberty County follow this law.

There are some limits. Active criminal intelligence information can be withheld. Search warrant affidavits may stay sealed until the warrant is carried out. Under Florida Statute 901.16, when an officer arrests someone on a warrant, they must tell the person the reason for the arrest and that a warrant has been issued. The officer does not need the physical warrant at that time but must show it if asked.

Note: In a small county like Liberty, records requests are typically handled quickly since the volume of warrant filings is low.

What to Do About a Warrant

If you find out there is a warrant in your name in Liberty County, talk to a lawyer before doing anything. Do not go to the sheriff's office or jail without legal advice first. When you turn yourself in on a warrant, you must go into custody before you can post bond. A bail bondsman can help with the steps. In Liberty County, the jail and courthouse are both in Bristol, so the process may move more quickly than in larger counties.

Warrants do not expire in Liberty County. A warrant from years ago can still result in an arrest at any time. Even a routine traffic stop can bring an old warrant to light. Handling it sooner gives you more options.

Cities in Liberty County

Liberty County includes the town of Bristol and the community of Hosford. All warrant records in the county go through the Liberty County Sheriff's Office and the 2nd Judicial Circuit courts. With only about 8,000 residents countywide, all warrant cases are handled at the county level through the same offices in Bristol.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Liberty County. If you are not sure which county handles a warrant, check the address where the offense took place. Warrants are filed in the county where the case was opened.