Manatee County Warrant Records Search

Manatee County warrant records are managed by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bradenton. With about 400,000 residents, Manatee County is a mid-size county on Florida's Gulf Coast just south of Tampa Bay. The sheriff's office processes a steady flow of warrants each year. You can search for active warrants through the FDLE statewide database at no cost. The clerk keeps court case files that show bench warrants and capias entries. Several ways exist to look up warrant information in Manatee County, and most of these records are open to the public under Florida's Sunshine Law.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office handles all warrant service in the county. MCSO is based at 600 301 Boulevard W. in Bradenton. You can reach them at (941) 747-3011. The sheriff's office serves warrants issued by judges in the 12th Judicial Circuit, which covers Manatee, DeSoto, and Sarasota counties. Deputies process both felony and misdemeanor warrants and work with other agencies in the region when needed.

MCSO does not offer a public-facing warrant search tool on its website. For warrant checks in Manatee County, the office sends people to the FDLE Public Access System. This statewide database is free and shows active warrants from all 67 Florida counties. No account is needed to search. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants are directed to all sheriffs in the state. That means a warrant from Manatee County can be picked up by law enforcement in any other Florida county.

Manatee Clerk of Court Records

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all court case files that include warrant activity. The clerk's office is at 1115 Manatee Avenue W. in Bradenton. Call (941) 749-1800 for records help. When a judge signs a bench warrant or capias in Manatee County, the clerk logs it in the case docket. You can search these records online through the clerk's website.

The clerk's website for Manatee County gives you access to court records and case information.

The online portal lets you search by defendant name or case number. Warrant entries appear in the docket once they are filed. If you need copies of court documents in Manatee County, visit the clerk's office in person or submit a request by mail. Certified copies cost more than standard copies. The clerk handles records for the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Note: The clerk's online system for Manatee County may show bench warrants before they appear on the statewide FDLE database.

How to Search Manatee County Warrants

The quickest way to check for warrants in Manatee County is the FDLE Public Access System. Go to the wanted persons page and enter the name. It is free and open to everyone. Results show active warrants reported by agencies across all 67 Florida counties, including Manatee. The warrant type and issuing agency are listed.

The clerk's online case search is useful for finding bench warrants and capias entries tied to specific cases in Manatee County. You can also call the sheriff's office for direct help. Here are the main options for searching warrant records:

• FDLE Public Access System for active warrants statewide
• Manatee County Clerk online case search for bench warrants and capias
• Sheriff's office by phone at (941) 747-3011
• In-person visit to the clerk at 1115 Manatee Avenue W. in Bradenton

Warrant Types in Manatee County

Several types of warrants show up in Manatee County records. Arrest warrants are the most common. A judge issues one after finding probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants come when someone fails to appear for a court hearing in Manatee County. A capias is similar and gets issued by the court clerk. Violation of probation warrants are also common here, especially for cases in the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Search warrants are different from arrest warrants. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant must be served within 14 days or it expires. Arrest warrants in Manatee County do not have a time limit. They stay active until the person is found or the warrant is recalled by a judge. Old warrants can still lead to an arrest at any time during a traffic stop or other police contact.

Note: Fugitive warrants from other states can also be served in Manatee County through the extradition process under Florida law.

Public Access to Manatee County Warrants

Warrant records in Manatee 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 named on the warrant. No reason is needed. Both the sheriff's office and the clerk of courts in Manatee County must comply with this law.

Some records are exempt. Active criminal intelligence and investigative info can be withheld. Search warrant affidavits may stay sealed until the warrant is served or the agency decides it will not be carried out. Under Florida Statute 901.16, officers who arrest someone on a warrant must tell the person the reason for the arrest. The officer does not need to hold the physical warrant at that time but must show it if the person asks.

What to Do About a Warrant

If you find a warrant in your name in Manatee County, talk to a lawyer before you take action. Do not go to the jail or a police station without legal advice first. When you turn yourself in, you go into custody before you can post bond. A bail bondsman can help you understand the steps. Many people in Manatee County have their attorney arrange a surrender with the sheriff's office to make the process go more smoothly.

Warrants in Manatee County do not expire. They stay active until the person is found or a judge recalls them. Even a very old warrant can result in arrest during a routine traffic stop. Dealing with it early gives you more options and more control over the outcome.

Cities in Manatee County

Manatee County includes the cities of Bradenton, Palmetto, and several unincorporated areas. All warrant records in the county go through the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the 12th Judicial Circuit courts. None of the cities in Manatee County meet the population threshold for their own pages, but all warrant cases are handled at the county level.

Nearby Counties

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