Polk County Warrant Records

Polk County warrant records are maintained by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts in Bartow. The county has about 725,000 residents and sits in the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The sheriff's office handles warrant enforcement and arrest operations across the county. Court records that include bench warrants and capias entries are kept by the clerk. Both agencies provide ways to access warrant information, and most records are public under Florida law.

Polk County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. Their main office is at 455 N. Broadway Avenue in Bartow. You can call them at (863) 533-0344. The sheriff's office is responsible for serving warrants, making arrests, and maintaining records of warrant activity in Polk County.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office works closely with the FDLE and other agencies to track down people with active warrants. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants are directed to all sheriffs in Florida. That means a Polk County warrant can be served by any sheriff in the state. It also means warrants from other counties can be executed in Polk County.

The sheriff's office runs its own warrant division. Deputies assigned to this unit focus on locating and arresting individuals with outstanding warrants. They handle everything from felony arrest warrants to violation of probation warrants. Polk County also participates in multi-agency fugitive operations that target people with active warrants who may have moved between counties.

Note: Polk County participates in statewide fugitive task force operations that help locate wanted persons across Florida.

Polk County Clerk of Courts Records

The Polk County Clerk of Courts keeps all court case files in the county. Their office is at 255 N. Broadway Avenue in Bartow. The phone number is (863) 534-4000. When a judge signs a warrant in Polk County, the clerk enters it into the case file. Bench warrants and capias orders appear in criminal case dockets.

The clerk's online system lets you search court records by name, case number, or other identifiers. Warrant activity shows up in the docket entries once it is filed. This is a good resource for finding bench warrants tied to missed court appearances or capias orders. The basic search is free to use.

If you need copies of court documents, the clerk charges a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more than standard ones. You can request records in person at the Bartow courthouse, by mail, or through the clerk's website. Under Florida Statute 119.07, court records in Polk County are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed or they fall under a specific exemption.

How to Search Warrants in Polk County

The fastest way to check for active warrants in Polk County is the FDLE Public Access System. Visit the Wanted Persons search page and enter the name you want to look up. The search is free and open to anyone. No account needed. It pulls active warrant data from law enforcement agencies across all 67 Florida counties, including Polk.

The Polk County Clerk of Courts online portal is another way to find warrant-related records. Court dockets show bench warrants and capias entries. This is helpful when you need specifics about a court case. You can search by the defendant's name or a case number. Results include docket entries that list any warrants issued as part of the case.

You can also call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (863) 533-0344 to ask about warrant status. They may be able to confirm if a warrant exists. For anonymous tips about wanted persons in Polk County, the county has a Crime Stoppers program that accepts information without requiring identification.

Warrant Types in Polk County

Several kinds of warrants are processed in Polk County. Arrest warrants are issued when a judge finds probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. These are the most common type. Bench warrants get issued when someone does not show up for court. A capias works much the same way and can be issued by the clerk. Violation of probation warrants come out when someone breaks probation terms set by the court.

Search warrants are handled differently. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant must be served within 14 days or it expires. Arrest warrants in Polk County do not have an expiration date. They stay active until the person is found, arrested, or a judge recalls the warrant. Even warrants that are years old can still result in an arrest if the person has contact with law enforcement.

Note: Fugitive warrants for individuals wanted in other states can also be served in Polk County by the sheriff's office.

Public Access to Polk County Warrants

Warrant records in Polk County are public under Florida's Sunshine Law. Florida Statute 119.07 says any person can inspect and copy public records from state and local agencies. You do not need to be named on the warrant. You do not need to give a reason for your search. Both the sheriff's office and the clerk of courts must follow these rules.

Some records are exempt. Active criminal intelligence files can be withheld under Florida Statute 119.071. Search warrant affidavits remain sealed until the warrant is executed. And some warrants may not yet be in any database if the issuing agency has not entered them into the system. These so-called pocket warrants will not turn up in an FDLE search or a clerk's case lookup. If you believe a warrant exists in Polk County but cannot find it online, talk to a criminal defense attorney.

What to Do About a Warrant in Polk County

If you discover you have a warrant in Polk County, get legal help first. Do not walk into the sheriff's office or a police station on your own. Under Florida law, surrendering on a warrant means you go into custody before bonding out. A defense attorney can advise you on the best way to handle it. A bail bondsman can help with the bond process once you are in custody.

Under Florida Statute 901.16, the arresting officer must inform you that a warrant has been issued and tell you why you are being arrested. The officer does not need to have the physical warrant at the time of arrest. If you ask to see it, they must produce it as soon as they can. Warrants in Polk County stay active until resolved. They do not expire with time.

Under Florida Statute 901.07, an officer can break open a door or window to make an arrest on a warrant if the officer gives proper notice and is refused entry. This applies across all of Florida, including Polk County.

Cities in Polk County

Polk County covers a large area in central Florida with many cities and towns. All warrant records are handled through the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Local police departments make arrests, but warrants go through the county system.

Other cities in Polk County include Bartow, Winter Haven, Haines City, and Auburndale. Warrant records for all of these areas are processed by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts.

Nearby Counties

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