Access Putnam County Warrant Records

Putnam County warrant records are held by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts in Palatka. This is a smaller county with about 74,000 people in northeast Florida. It falls in the 7th Judicial Circuit. The sheriff's office handles warrant enforcement and arrests. The clerk keeps court case files where bench warrants and capias orders are recorded. Public access to these records is allowed under Florida's open records laws, and the FDLE statewide system covers Putnam County warrants too.

Putnam County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. Their office is at 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard in Palatka. The phone number is (386) 329-0800. The sheriff handles all warrant service and arrest operations in Putnam County.

Deputies in the warrant unit track down people with outstanding warrants. Because Putnam County is more rural than many Florida counties, warrant enforcement sometimes involves travel across wide areas. The sheriff also works with neighboring agencies and the FDLE on fugitive operations.

Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants issued in Putnam County are directed to all sheriffs across the state. A person wanted in Putnam County can be picked up by any law enforcement officer in Florida. This works both ways. Warrants from other counties can be served right here in Putnam County too.

Putnam County Clerk of Courts

The Putnam County Clerk of Courts manages court records in the county. Their office is at 410 St. Johns Avenue in Palatka. You can reach them at (386) 329-0361. The clerk files and stores all court case documents, including records that show warrant activity.

When a judge issues a bench warrant in Putnam County, the clerk records it in the case docket. Capias orders show up the same way. You can search these records to find out if warrants were issued in a particular case. The clerk's system covers criminal, civil, and family law cases in Putnam County.

Records requests can be made in person at the Palatka office or by mail. The clerk charges fees for copies. Certified copies cost more. Under Florida Statute 119.07, these records are open to the public unless a judge has sealed them or they fall under a specific exemption in state law.

Note: Putnam County shares the 7th Judicial Circuit with Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties, so some court resources overlap.

Searching Warrants in Putnam County

To search for active warrants in Putnam County, start with the FDLE Public Access System. The Wanted Persons search lets you look up anyone by name across all 67 Florida counties. The tool is free. No login needed. Putnam County warrants that have been entered into the statewide database will appear in the results.

You can also check through the Putnam County Clerk of Courts for bench warrants and capias entries. Their case search shows docket entries that list warrant activity. This is useful when you know the case number or defendant name and want to see what happened in court.

For direct questions, call the sheriff's office at (386) 329-0800. They can point you to the right person. In a county the size of Putnam, calling can sometimes be quicker than searching online. The staff may be able to confirm if a warrant exists without you having to dig through databases on your own.

Types of Warrants in Putnam County

Putnam County handles the same warrant types as every other Florida county. Arrest warrants are issued when a judge finds probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants come from a judge after someone misses a court date. Capias orders are similar and can be issued through the clerk's office. Violation of probation warrants are common too.

Search warrants follow different rules. Under Florida Statute 933.07, search warrants expire after 14 days if not served. Arrest warrants in Putnam County do not expire. They remain active until the person is arrested or the warrant is recalled by a judge. A warrant that is five or ten years old can still lead to an arrest during a routine traffic stop or any other encounter with law enforcement.

Public Access to Putnam County Warrants

Florida's Sunshine Law makes warrant records in Putnam County public. Under Florida Statute 119.07, any person has the right to view and copy public records from any state or local agency. You do not need to be the subject of the warrant. No reason is needed for your search. The sheriff's office and the clerk of courts in Putnam County are both subject to this law.

Some records are exempt from public access. Active criminal investigation files may be held back. Search warrant affidavits stay sealed until the warrant is executed or the agency decides it will not be carried out. Some warrants may exist that have not been entered into any database yet. If you cannot find a warrant in the FDLE system or the clerk's records but believe one exists, consider consulting a criminal defense lawyer who can check directly with the issuing agency.

Under Florida Statute 901.07, law enforcement can force entry to execute an arrest warrant if they give notice and are refused entry. This applies throughout Florida, including Putnam County.

What to Do About a Warrant

If you find out you have a warrant in Putnam County, talk to a lawyer before doing anything else. Going to the sheriff's office without legal advice is risky. Under Florida law, turning yourself in means going into custody before you can post bond. A defense attorney can help you plan the best course of action. A bail bondsman can assist with bonding out once you are in custody.

Under Florida Statute 901.16, the officer who arrests you must tell you why and inform you that a warrant has been issued. They do not need the physical warrant at the time of arrest. If you ask to see it, the officer must show it to you as soon as possible. Warrants in Putnam County do not go away on their own. They stay active until the court resolves them.

Note: Even minor warrants in Putnam County can cause problems during routine traffic stops or background checks for employment.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Putnam County. If you are not sure which county a warrant was filed in, check the location of the offense. Warrants are always filed in the county where the case began.