Pennsylvania Warrant Search

Pennsylvania warrants bestow upon law enforcement personnel the authority to apprehend a person or search a place. Individuals can become subjects of warrants if they are suspected of committing a crime, disobeying court orders, or missing court appointments.

No matter the warrant type or circumstance, a warrant spells legal issues for the person named. More troubling is a situation where the subject is unaware of the warrant and unable to take the necessary legal actions to resolve the matter. Failing to resolve a warrant may lead to jail time, travel restrictions, employment issues, and more—thus underpinning the importance of warrant searches.

Pennsylvania warrant searches can be conducted through third-party and official sources. These inquiries reveal information about warrants issued in the Commonwealth, including a warrant subject's name, issuing jurisdiction, and the reason for issue.

What is a Warrant?

Pennsylvania warrants are legal documents issued by a judge to allow law enforcement personnel to perform an action related to the administration of justice.

There are multiple types of warrants issued in Pennsylvania. The most common are search warrants, warrants, and arrest warrants. Other types of warrants include death, custody, extradition, and capias warrants.

However, before a warrant is issued, a Pennsylvania law enforcement officer must demonstrate there is probable cause to justify a search, seizure, arrest, or other act.

Are Warrants Public Record in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Warrants are public records under Pennsylvania's Right-To-Know law. As a result, members of the public can request the records from government agencies.

However, a warrant may be confidential under the law in specific scenarios. For example, under PA Rule of Criminal Procedure 513 (C), information about an arrest warrant may be restricted if disclosure would endanger those serving the warrant or will urge the subject of the warrant to flee.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Pennsylvania?

A person who intends to look up warrants in Pennsylvania may opt for government or third-party platforms.

Many third-party platforms maintain warrants records issued in various Pennsylvania counties. The advantage of these sites is their ease of accessibility. However, since government agencies do not run them, the information obtained may be subject to inconsistencies. As a result, it is essential to confirm any information obtained with the appropriate official body.

A third-party warrant search often begins by inputting a name and city/state into a third-party database. Subsequently, the user can review the results provided by the website. However, a fee may apply to obtain a complete report. This fee varies by provider.

What is a Search Warrant in Pennsylvania?

A search warrant is a written order from a judicial power that allows a law enforcement officer to search a specific premise and capture any property related to a crime.

Before a judge issues a search warrant in Pennsylvania, a law enforcement officer must apply to a judge with solid reasons (called probable cause) why they believe evidence may be discovered at a location or on a person. PA Rule Of Criminal Procedure 201 lists conditions under which a search warrant may be issued.

• Are Search Warrants Public Records in Pennsylvania?

  Yes, search warrants are public records in Pennsylvania. PA Rule Of Criminal Procedure 212 provides that a search warrant is considered a public record after execution. "Execution" describes the process where police officers take a search warrant to a specified location to search for criminal activity or evidence.

• How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in Pennsylvania?

  When officers suspect that an object was used in a criminal act, was obtained criminally, or may be evidence in a criminal investigation, they can apply to a judge with their findings for a search warrant. The time it takes to get a search warrant after application depends on multiple factors, including a judge's availability to sign the warrant and the affiant's ability to provide sufficient evidence of probable cause. At the very least, the warrant may be issued within a few minutes.

• How Long Does a Search Warrant Last

  PA Rule Of Criminal Procedure 205(A)(4) directs that each search warrant issued in Pennsylvania be used within two days from issuance.

What is a Bench Warrant in Pennsylvania?

A Pennsylvania judge issues a bench warrant against someone who disobeyed a court order, such as failing to appear in court as mandated (231 Pa. Code Rule 1910.13-1). Generally, bench warrants in Pennsylvania never expire unless vacated by the court or the defendant appears in court or is apprehended by law enforcement.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Pennsylvania?

An arrest warrant is a judicial paper endorsing the on-sight apprehension of an individual believed to have broken the law. Under PA Rule of Criminal Procedure 513-518, a judge can only issue an arrest warrant after being presented with sufficient evidence (approximating probable cause) by the police. These warrants can be executed anywhere within the Commonwealth.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Pennsylvania

A person who wants to find out if they have any active Pennsylvania warrants can search online databases or contact law enforcement for assistance.

• **Law Enforcement: **A person may search for Pennsylvania warrants through local law enforcement, particularly a sheriff's office. These offices provide in-person and online avenues for retrieving warrant records.

  For example, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office provides a warrant search portal on its official website. An individual can find all kinds of active warrants on the site, including arrest, traffic, and bench warrants. On the other hand, the Montgomery County Sheriff's website features an active bench warrant database, and so on.

  Alternatively, an individual can visit a local precinct to find active warrants.

• Courthouses: During office hours, anyone can stop by the county court where a case is open and inquire if any active warrants are in their name.

• **The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS) Web Portal: **The Pennsylvania Judicial Branch maintains a statewide case search web portal that individuals can access to check if a warrant was issued for a court case.

Can You Check Warrants Online in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Online warrant searches are preferred over in-person requests because they give a subject adequate time to prepare, unlike in-person warrant searches, where immediate apprehension is possible.

Fortunately, most county sheriffs and courts in Pennsylvania publish warrant information on accessible web portals. A person typically requires a name or case number to access such databases.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

An individual can use online or offline methods to find out if someone has a Pennsylvania warrant for free. A free online inquiry typically involves accessing warrant search portals provided on a sheriff's website or case search portals maintained on a court website. The option to visit or contact a courthouse or sheriff's office to obtain warrant records for free is also available.

However, anyone making a copy of a record will likely be charged a reasonable fee for the reproduction.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in Pennsylvania

As mentioned, online provisions for inspecting warrant records are available through Pennsylvania courthouses and sheriff's departments. For instance, Butler County Sheriff's Office has a free online resource where individuals can look up active warrants with a last name, and one may search court case records maintained by the Philadelphia Municipal Court for issued warrants.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Pennsylvania?

Warrants in Pennsylvania have distinct lifespans. Arrest warrants typically remain outstanding until a subject dies or the judge recalls or quashes the warrant. On the other hand, regular search warrants expire after two days. If a search warrant is tied to an event, it expires after the event.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

The U.S. Marshals Service serves federal warrants and keeps related records in its Warrant Information System (WIN). Unfortunately, the Warrant Information System (WIN) is not available to the public. As such, many people never learn that they have a federal warrant until the U.S. Marshals show up at their offices or homes to arrest them.

To discover federal warrants by oneself, one may attempt to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or send a FOIA request to the agency. However, it should be noted that federal warrants are typically sealed until executed.

If an individual knows the federal court that might have issued a warrant, they may call the clerk's office to make inquiries. It may be necessary to provide the case number, judge's name, and hearing date.

Finally, a person may seek an experienced federal criminal defense attorney's assistance regarding federal warrants.