Walton County Warrant Records

Walton County warrant records are maintained by the Walton County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts in DeFuniak Springs. The county has roughly 75,000 people and sits in the Florida Panhandle within the 1st Judicial Circuit. The sheriff handles all warrant enforcement and arrest operations. Court records with bench warrants and capias orders are kept by the clerk. Public access to most warrant records in Walton County is guaranteed under Florida law.

Walton County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Walton County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. They are located at 752 Triple G Road in DeFuniak Springs. The phone number is (850) 892-8111. The sheriff handles warrant service, arrests, and all related enforcement across Walton County.

Walton County stretches from the Gulf of Mexico beaches in the south to the Alabama state line in the north. The southern part of the county includes popular beach communities along Highway 30A and Destin-area neighborhoods. The northern part is more rural. Deputies cover this whole area when serving warrants.

Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants from Walton County are directed to all sheriffs in the state. Anyone wanted in Walton County can be arrested by law enforcement anywhere in Florida. The sheriff also coordinates with neighboring agencies in the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties. These Panhandle counties share resources on fugitive operations.

The tourist season brings a large number of visitors to Walton County's coastal areas. This seasonal population influx can affect warrant enforcement, as people from other counties or states may have encounters with law enforcement while visiting. The FDLE statewide database helps officers quickly check for active warrants regardless of where the warrant was issued.

Walton County Clerk of Courts

The Walton County Clerk of Courts maintains court case records in the county. Their office is at 571 U.S. Highway 90 E. in DeFuniak Springs. You can call (850) 892-8115 for records questions. The clerk files all court documents, including those that show warrant activity.

When a judge issues a bench warrant in Walton County, the clerk enters it into the case docket. Capias orders appear in the same way. Criminal case records are where you will find most warrant-related entries. You can request to view these records at the DeFuniak Springs courthouse or ask about online access through the clerk's office.

Copies of documents cost a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more. Under Florida Statute 119.07, all court records in Walton County are public unless they are sealed by a judge or fall under a specific exemption. The clerk must provide access to any non-exempt record upon request.

Note: Walton County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which is the largest circuit by number of counties in the Florida Panhandle.

How to Search Warrants in Walton County

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

The Walton County Clerk of Courts may offer online case search tools. Check their website for current options. Criminal case dockets show bench warrants and capias entries. If online access is limited, you can request records in person at the DeFuniak Springs courthouse or call the clerk at (850) 892-8115.

You can also call the sheriff's office directly at (850) 892-8111. Staff can direct your question to the right unit. In a county the size of Walton, a phone call can sometimes be the fastest way to get information about a specific warrant.

Types of Warrants in Walton County

Walton County handles all the standard types of Florida warrants. Arrest warrants require a judge to find probable cause under Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants are issued for people who miss their court date. A capias order works much the same way. Violation of probation warrants come out when someone breaks probation conditions.

Search warrants expire. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant must be executed within 14 days or it becomes void. Arrest warrants in Walton County do not have an expiration date. They stay active in the system until the person is arrested or a judge recalls the warrant. Even old warrants can lead to an arrest during a traffic stop or a background check.

Public Access to Walton County Warrants

Warrant records in Walton County are public under the Sunshine Law. Florida Statute 119.07 gives anyone 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 search is required. The sheriff's office and the clerk of courts must both provide access to non-exempt records.

Some records are exempt. Active criminal investigation files can be kept from the public under Florida Statute 119.071. Search warrant affidavits stay sealed until served. Pocket warrants that have not been entered into any database will not show up in any search. A defense attorney can check directly with the issuing agency if you think a warrant exists but cannot find it online.

Under Florida Statute 901.07, officers can force entry to serve an arrest warrant after giving proper notice and being refused entry. This applies in Walton County and across all of Florida.

What to Do About a Walton County Warrant

If you learn you have a warrant in Walton County, contact an attorney before you do anything. Do not walk into the sheriff's office on your own. Under Florida law, surrendering on a warrant means going into custody first, then bonding out. A lawyer can advise you on the process and help protect your rights. A bail bondsman can assist with the bond once you are in custody.

Under Florida Statute 901.16, the arresting officer must inform you about the warrant and the reason for the arrest. The officer does not need to have the physical warrant at the time of arrest. If you ask, they must show it to you as soon as possible. Warrants in Walton County do not expire. They remain active until resolved through the court system.

Note: Visitors to Walton County's beach areas can be arrested on out-of-county or out-of-state warrants during routine law enforcement encounters.

Nearby Counties

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