Find Warrant Records in Wakulla County

Wakulla County warrant records are kept by the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts in Crawfordville. The county has about 33,000 people and is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit in North Florida. The sheriff handles warrant enforcement and arrests. Court case records with bench warrants and capias entries go through the clerk's office. Under Florida's open records laws, most warrant information in Wakulla County is available to the public.

Wakulla County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Their office is at 15 Oak Street in Crawfordville. You can reach them at (850) 745-7100. The sheriff is responsible for serving warrants, making arrests, and keeping the peace across Wakulla County.

Wakulla County is small and largely rural. The sheriff's office has a limited staff but handles the same warrant types as any other Florida county. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants issued here are directed to all sheriffs in the state. A person wanted in Wakulla County can be arrested anywhere in Florida by any law enforcement officer.

The county is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit along with Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Liberty counties. Leon County, which includes the state capital Tallahassee, is right next door. This proximity means that people with Wakulla County warrants sometimes get picked up in Leon County and vice versa. The sheriff's office coordinates with neighboring agencies regularly on warrant operations.

Because Wakulla County sits right next to Tallahassee, there is a fair amount of movement between the two counties. People who live in Wakulla and work in Leon County (or the other way around) may encounter warrant issues that cross county lines. The FDLE statewide database ensures that warrants from either county show up in one place.

Note: Wakulla County borders Leon County where Tallahassee is located, so warrant enforcement efforts often involve coordination between the two agencies.

Wakulla County Clerk of Courts

The Wakulla County Clerk of Courts maintains all court case files. Their office is at 3056 Crawfordville Highway in Crawfordville. The phone number is (850) 926-0905. When a judge issues a bench warrant or capias in Wakulla County, the clerk enters it into the court case record.

The clerk handles criminal, civil, and family law cases. Warrant-related entries appear in the criminal case dockets. If someone misses a court hearing and a bench warrant is issued, that information gets added to the docket. You can request to view case records at the Crawfordville courthouse.

Getting copies of documents costs a per-page fee. Certified copies are more expensive. Under Florida Statute 119.07, court records in Wakulla County are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed. The clerk must allow inspection of any public record upon request. Smaller counties like Wakulla may have more limited online access compared to larger counties, so an in-person visit or phone call is sometimes the best approach.

How to Search Warrants in Wakulla County

The best way to check for active warrants in Wakulla County is the FDLE Public Access System. Go to the Wanted Persons search and enter a name. The tool is free and open to anyone. It covers all 67 Florida counties, including Wakulla. Active warrants that have been entered into the statewide system will show up in the results.

Calling the sheriff's office at (850) 745-7100 is a practical option for a small county like Wakulla. The staff may be able to confirm if a warrant exists. You can also reach the clerk of courts at (850) 926-0905 for questions about specific court cases that may include bench warrants or capias entries.

If the clerk has an online case search system, you can use it to look up criminal cases by defendant name or case number. Warrant activity will show in the docket entries. For counties this size, online tools may be more limited than what you find in larger Florida counties. In-person requests at the Crawfordville courthouse are always available as a backup.

Warrant Types in Wakulla County

Wakulla County processes the same warrant types as every other county in Florida. Arrest warrants are issued by a judge based on probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants come from a judge when someone does not show for court. Capias orders work the same way. Violation of probation warrants are issued when someone breaks the terms set by the court.

Search warrants follow a strict timeline. Under Florida Statute 933.07, they must be executed within 14 days. After that window closes, the search warrant is no longer valid. Arrest warrants in Wakulla County have no expiration. They remain in the system until the person is found and arrested or a judge cancels the warrant. Old warrants from years past can still result in an arrest during a routine traffic stop or any other contact with law enforcement.

Public Access to Wakulla County Warrants

Florida Statute 119.07 makes warrant records in Wakulla County public. Anyone can inspect and copy records from state or local agencies. You do not need to be the person named on the warrant. You do not need to provide a reason for your search. The sheriff's office and the clerk of courts are both covered.

There are a few exceptions. Active criminal investigation files can be withheld under Florida Statute 119.071. Search warrant affidavits remain sealed until the warrant is carried out or the investigation is closed. Pocket warrants that have not been entered into any database will not show up in online searches. A criminal defense attorney can make inquiries directly with the issuing agency if you believe a warrant exists but cannot find it.

Note: Because Wakulla County is small, records that might take weeks to get in a large county can sometimes be obtained faster here.

What to Do About a Wakulla County Warrant

If you find a warrant in your name in Wakulla County, get a lawyer before you do anything else. Do not walk into the sheriff's office or a police station without legal advice. Under Florida law, turning yourself in on a warrant means going into custody before you can post bond. An attorney can help you plan the best approach. A bail bondsman can help with the bond once you are in custody.

Under Florida Statute 901.16, the arresting officer must tell you that a warrant exists and explain the reason for your arrest. The officer does not need the physical warrant at the time of arrest but must show it to you if asked. Under Florida Statute 901.07, an officer can force open a door or window to serve an arrest warrant if entry is refused after proper notice. Warrants in Wakulla County do not expire. They remain active until resolved through the court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wakulla County. If you need to check which county handles a warrant, look at where the offense took place. Warrants are filed in the county where the case was opened.