San Bernardino County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In San Bernardino County?
A search warrant in San Bernardino County is a legal document issued by a judicial officer that authorizes law enforcement personnel to search specified premises, vehicles, or persons for evidence of a crime. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1523, search warrants must be supported by probable cause, which is established through sworn affidavits presented to the issuing judge or magistrate. These warrants are specific in nature and must describe with particularity the place to be searched and the items to be seized.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, as the primary law enforcement agency in the county, frequently executes search warrants as part of criminal investigations. Search warrants in San Bernardino County typically contain:
- Legal description of the location to be searched
- Detailed inventory of items subject to seizure
- Time limitations for execution (typically within 10 days of issuance)
- Requirements for law enforcement to provide receipts for seized property
- Instructions for return of the warrant to the issuing court
Under California law, search warrants must be executed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., unless the judge authorizes a nighttime search based on good cause shown in the warrant application.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 655 East Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 387-3545 San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Are Warrants Public Records In San Bernardino County?
Warrants in San Bernardino County are generally considered public records, though access may be restricted under certain circumstances. The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270) establishes the public's right to access government records, including most warrant information. However, several important exceptions apply to warrant accessibility:
- Active warrants in ongoing investigations may be temporarily sealed
- Warrants involving juvenile offenders are typically confidential
- Warrants containing sensitive information about confidential informants or undercover operations may have redacted portions
- Search warrants may remain sealed until executed to prevent compromise of investigations
Members of the public seeking warrant information may submit requests through the San Bernardino County Superior Court or the law enforcement agency that executed the warrant. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains a public records unit that processes requests for warrant information that is not exempt from disclosure.
For warrants that have been executed and returned to the court, interested parties may visit:
San Bernardino Superior Court - Records Division 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 708-8678 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. San Bernardino Superior Court
How Do I Find Out if I Have a Warrant In San Bernardino County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in San Bernardino County have several official methods available. The San Bernardino County Superior Court maintains records of all warrants issued within its jurisdiction. Persons concerned about possible warrants may:
- Contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Warrant Division at (909) 387-3545
- Visit the San Bernardino Superior Court Records Division in person with valid identification
- Utilize the court's online case information system through the Superior Court website
- Contact a private attorney who can conduct a warrant search on their behalf
For those currently in custody, the inmate locator tool provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department may provide information about warrant status.
It is important to note that pursuant to California Penal Code § 978.5, individuals with active warrants may be subject to immediate arrest. Therefore, those who believe they may have an outstanding warrant are advised to address the matter promptly through proper legal channels.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Warrant Division 655 East Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 387-3545 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How To Check for Warrants in San Bernardino County for Free in 2025
San Bernardino County residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods in 2025. The county maintains multiple free resources for warrant verification:
- The San Bernardino Superior Court's public access terminal computers, available at all courthouse locations during regular business hours
- The online case information portal maintained by the Superior Court, which allows basic warrant searches using name and date of birth
- The Sheriff's Department public information unit, which can confirm warrant status by telephone or in person
- The inmate locator system, which may indicate if a person is wanted on an outstanding warrant
When using these resources, individuals should be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name (including any aliases or former names)
- Date of birth
- Driver's license or identification number (for in-person inquiries)
For the most comprehensive results, checking with both the court and the Sheriff's Department is recommended, as warrant information may be updated at different intervals in various systems.
San Bernardino Superior Court - San Bernardino District 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 708-8678 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What Types of Warrants In San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County's judicial system issues several distinct types of warrants, each serving specific legal purposes. The primary categories of warrants include:
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Arrest Warrants: Issued pursuant to California Penal Code § 813 when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody.
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Bench Warrants: Issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date, violates probation terms, or fails to comply with court orders. These are governed by California Penal Code § 978.5.
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Search Warrants: Authorized under California Penal Code § 1523-1542, allowing law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence of criminal activity.
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Ramey Warrants: Special arrest warrants obtained before criminal charges are formally filed, named after the case People v. Ramey.
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Civil Warrants: Issued in non-criminal matters, such as child support enforcement or civil contempt proceedings.
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Probation Violation Warrants: Issued when an individual on probation violates the terms of their supervision.
The San Bernardino Police Department and Sheriff's Department coordinate to execute these various warrants throughout the county's 20,105 square miles of jurisdiction.
City of San Bernardino Police Department 710 North D Street San Bernardino, CA 92401 Phone: (909) 384-5742 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What Warrants in San Bernardino County Contain
Warrants issued in San Bernardino County contain specific information as required by California law. The content of warrants typically includes:
- Case number and issuing court information
- Full legal name of the subject (including known aliases)
- Physical description of the subject (height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks)
- Date of birth and last known address
- Specific alleged offense(s), including applicable California Penal Code sections
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Date of issuance and signature of the issuing judicial officer
- For search warrants: detailed description of premises to be searched and items to be seized
Pursuant to California Penal Code § 815, arrest warrants must be executed substantially in the form prescribed by the Judicial Council of California. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains records of executed warrants, while active warrants remain in law enforcement databases until served or recalled by the court.
Search warrants additionally contain affidavits from law enforcement officers establishing probable cause, which may be sealed by court order if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation.
Who Issues Warrants In San Bernardino County
Warrants in San Bernardino County are issued exclusively by judicial officers with proper jurisdiction. The authority to issue warrants is vested in:
- Superior Court Judges assigned to criminal departments
- Court Commissioners acting under judicial authority
- Magistrates as defined in California Penal Code § 807
The issuance process requires review of sworn affidavits or testimony establishing probable cause. For arrest warrants, this typically involves a prosecutor presenting evidence to the judicial officer. For search warrants, law enforcement officers submit detailed affidavits describing the basis for the search.
The San Bernardino Superior Court maintains multiple judicial districts throughout the county, each with authority to issue warrants within their geographical jurisdiction. The main courthouse is located at:
San Bernardino Superior Court - Criminal Division 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 708-8678 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
After hours and in emergency situations, designated on-call judges may review and issue warrants to law enforcement agencies when time-sensitive circumstances exist.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In San Bernardino County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in San Bernardino County may utilize several official channels. The most reliable methods include:
- Submitting a formal request to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Records Division
- Consulting the San Bernardino Superior Court case information system
- Contacting the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office
- Utilizing the Sheriff's Department inmate locator system, which may indicate warrant status
For third-party inquiries, requestors should note that certain warrant information may be restricted under California law. Pursuant to Government Code § 6254(f), some investigative records may be exempt from public disclosure.
San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office 303 West Third Street, 5th Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 382-3800 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How To Check Federal Warrants In San Bernardino County
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants and are issued by United States District Court judges or magistrates. To check for federal warrants in San Bernardino County, individuals should:
- Contact the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Eastern Division
- Consult with the United States Marshals Service, which is the primary agency responsible for executing federal warrants
- Submit a Freedom of Information Act request to relevant federal law enforcement agencies
- Retain a federal criminal defense attorney who can make appropriate inquiries
The California Department of Justice may also maintain records of federal warrants that involve coordination with state authorities.
United States District Court - Eastern Division 3470 Twelfth Street Riverside, CA 92501 Phone: (951) 328-4450 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
United States Marshals Service - Central District of California 3470 Twelfth Street, Room 161 Riverside, CA 92501 Phone: (951) 328-4470 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How Long Do Warrants Last In San Bernardino County?
Warrants issued in San Bernardino County generally remain active until they are executed, recalled by the court, or the subject appears voluntarily. Unlike some legal documents, warrants do not typically expire based on the passage of time alone. Key considerations regarding warrant duration include:
- Arrest warrants remain in effect indefinitely until served or recalled
- Bench warrants persist until the subject appears in court or the judge recalls the warrant
- Search warrants must be executed within 10 days of issuance per California Penal Code § 1534
- Federal warrants remain active nationwide until executed or withdrawn
The statute of limitations for the underlying offense does not affect the validity of an issued warrant. Even in cases where prosecution may be time-barred, the warrant itself remains active until formally addressed by the court.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains warrant information in local and state databases, while serious offenses may be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In San Bernardino County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in San Bernardino County varies based on several factors. Under normal circumstances, the process includes:
- Preparation of the warrant application and supporting affidavit by law enforcement (1-3 days)
- Review by prosecutorial staff for legal sufficiency (1-2 days)
- Judicial review and determination (1-2 days)
In urgent situations, expedited procedures exist. California Penal Code § 1526(b) authorizes telephonic warrants, allowing officers to obtain judicial approval verbally with subsequent documentation. This process may be completed in as little as 2-3 hours.
For complex investigations, particularly those involving multiple locations or digital evidence, the warrant preparation process may extend to several weeks to ensure legal sufficiency and proper scope.
The San Bernardino Police Department and Sheriff's Department coordinate with the District Attorney's Office to prioritize warrant applications based on public safety considerations and investigative needs.
Search Warrant Records in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department public records
San Bernardino Superior Court case information
San Bernardino County inmate information system