Find Warrant Records in Sarasota County

Sarasota County warrant records are kept by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court. About 430,000 people live in the county. It sits in the 12th Judicial Circuit on Florida's Gulf Coast. The sheriff handles warrant service and enforcement. The clerk stores court case records that include bench warrants and capias orders. Under Florida's open records laws, most warrant data in Sarasota County is available to the public.

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. Their office is at 2071 Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota. The phone number is (941) 861-4000. The sheriff handles all warrant enforcement, from routine bench warrant arrests to tracking down people with serious felony warrants across the county.

The sheriff's warrant unit works with FDLE and federal agencies to locate wanted persons. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants are directed to all sheriffs in the state. A warrant from Sarasota County can be served by law enforcement anywhere in Florida. This also means warrants from other counties can be executed in Sarasota County.

The sheriff's office participates in multi-agency operations to locate fugitives. Sarasota County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit along with Manatee and DeSoto counties. Deputies sometimes work with neighboring agencies when a wanted person may have moved between these counties. The FDLE statewide system keeps all of these warrants in one place for easy searching.

Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court

The Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all court case records in the county. Their main office is at 2000 Main Street in Sarasota. Call (941) 861-7400 for questions about records. When a judge issues a bench warrant or capias in Sarasota County, the clerk records it in the case docket. These entries are part of the public court record.

You can search Sarasota County court records online through the clerk's website. The system lets you look up cases by name, case number, or other identifiers. Warrant activity shows up in the docket entries. If a bench warrant was issued because someone missed a hearing, that will be listed in the docket for that case. Basic case searches are free.

Getting copies of documents costs money. The clerk charges per page for both certified and standard copies. Requests can be made in person at the Sarasota courthouse or by mail. All court records are public under Florida Statute 119.07 unless they are sealed by court order.

Note: The Sarasota County Clerk also handles civil, family, and probate cases, all of which can have warrant-related activity in their dockets.

How to Search Warrants in Sarasota County

The quickest way to check for active warrants in Sarasota County is the FDLE Public Access System. Visit the Wanted Persons search page and enter the name you want to check. It is free. No account is needed. Results include active warrants from law enforcement across all 67 Florida counties, including Sarasota.

The Sarasota County Clerk's online case search is another good resource. You can find bench warrants and capias entries tied to specific court cases. Search by defendant name or case number. The docket entries will show any warrant activity in the case.

You can also call the sheriff's office at (941) 861-4000 for questions about warrants. They can direct you to the proper unit. Sarasota County Crime Stoppers is another option if you have information about a wanted person and want to submit a tip without giving your name.

Warrant Types in Sarasota County

Sarasota County processes several types of warrants. Arrest warrants require probable cause and are signed by a judge under Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants are issued when a person fails to show up for a court hearing. A capias is similar and can come from the clerk's office. Violation of probation warrants happen when someone breaks the conditions set by a judge.

Search warrants follow their own rules. Under Florida Statute 933.07, search warrants must be executed within 14 days. After that they become void. Arrest warrants in Sarasota County do not expire. They stay active until the person is arrested or a judge recalls them. A warrant from five years ago is just as valid as one issued last week. It can still lead to an arrest during a traffic stop or any other contact with law enforcement.

Public Access to Sarasota County Warrants

Warrant records in Sarasota County are public under the Sunshine Law. Florida Statute 119.07 gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records from state and local agencies. You do not need to be the person on the warrant. No reason for your request is required. Both the sheriff's office and the clerk of court in Sarasota County must comply.

There are exceptions. Active criminal intelligence information can be withheld under Florida Statute 119.071. Search warrant affidavits stay sealed until the warrant is executed or the investigation wraps up. Pocket warrants that have not been entered into any database will not appear in any search. If you believe a warrant exists in Sarasota County but cannot find it, a criminal defense lawyer can check directly with the issuing agency.

Under Florida Statute 901.07, officers in Florida can force open a door or window to serve an arrest warrant if they announce themselves and are denied entry. This rule applies statewide, including in Sarasota County.

What to Do About a Sarasota County Warrant

If you learn you have a warrant in Sarasota County, contact a defense attorney before taking any action. Walking into a police station without legal counsel is not a good idea. Under Florida law, surrendering on a warrant means going into custody before you can bond out. A lawyer can help plan your next steps. A bail bondsman can assist with the bond process after you are in custody.

Under Florida Statute 901.16, the arresting officer must inform you of the warrant and tell you the reason for the arrest. The officer is not required to have the physical warrant during the arrest but must show it to you as soon as possible if you ask. Warrants in Sarasota County do not expire. They stay active until resolved through the court system.

Note: A warrant in Sarasota County can show up during background checks for jobs, housing, or professional licenses.

Cities in Sarasota County

Sarasota County includes the cities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port, and several smaller communities. All warrant records go through the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. City police departments handle local law enforcement, but warrants are processed at the county level.

North Port, Venice, and other cities in Sarasota County file their warrant cases through the county sheriff and the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sarasota.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Sarasota County. If you are unsure which county a warrant was filed in, check the location of the offense. Warrants are always filed in the county where the case originated.