How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Indiana? What to Do If I Have a Warrant?

September 18, 2024

Many Indianans who have warrants are well aware of them. Some, however, might be surprised to learn that they exist. Others may suspect that they have one but are unsure.

Fortunately, there are ways to check for outstanding warrants in your name. Criminal defense lawyers offer the best and safest way to determine the existence of an outstanding arrest warrant. With the help of a skilled defense attorney, you can not only learn about warrants you have but also get sound legal counsel on the next steps to take.

What Is a Warrant?

A warrant is a legal document issued by a court or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to perform certain actions that would otherwise violate an individual's constitutional rights. Such actions can include arresting a person, searching a location, or seizing personal property.

Why Might One Get a Warrant in Northwest Indiana?

The following are a few reasons you might have an arrest warrant issued in your name:

Failure to comply with a court order
Failure to appear in court
Violation of probation
Failure to pay child support
Being suspected of committing a crime

In every case, those with arrest warrants should take the steps necessary to resolve the warrant before they’re formally arrested.

What Are the Different Types of Warrants?

Because there are different types of warrants in Indiana, knowing what type you may have in your name will help you understand the potential consequences.

Search Warrants

Purpose: Permit the search and seizure of property.
Issuance: Must describe the specific location to be searched and the items to be seized.
Details: Must be executed within a certain timeframe.

Search warrants are frequently used in criminal investigations to build cases against individuals suspected of committing crimes. They’re judicial authorizations that allow law enforcement officers to search for specific evidence of criminal activity in a specific location.

Without a search warrant, law enforcement officials can’t conduct searches unless there’s a special exception to the warrant requirement.

When executing search warrants in Indiana, local law enforcement agencies may look for and seize:

Unlawfully obtained property
Property that can’t be possessed lawfully
Evidence of crimes
Tools and implements of criminal activity

However, search warrants must display a certain level of specificity regarding the location to be searched and the items to be seized.

Arrest Warrants

Purpose: To arrest and detain an individual suspected of committing a crime.
Issuance: Based on probable cause and supported by an affidavit stating the facts and circumstances that justify the arrest.
Details: Specify the individual's name and the charges against them.

An Indiana arrest warrant authorizes police officers to take a person into custody because they’re suspected of committing a crime. Generally, for an arrest warrant to be valid, there must be an affidavit of probable cause that backs it up. Once an arrest warrant has been issued, the police are typically free to proceed against an individual and take them into custody whenever they choose to. Officers may show up at a person's home, work, or school for the arrest.

Typical information found in an arrest warrant includes:

The name and description of the subject
The offense
The court clerk's and judge's signatures
The date of the warrant
The name of the agency executing the warrant

In some cases, a warrant may also include specific terms for its execution.

Bench Warrants

Purpose: Issued when a person fails to appear in court as required or disobeys court orders.
Issuance: Issued directly by a judge during court proceedings.
Details: Command law enforcement to bring the person directly to court.

Bench warrants target those who fail to comply with court orders. They’re similar to arrest warrants in that they allow police officers to take an individual into custody.

Instances where a bench warrant may be issued include:

Failure to appear in court
Failure to comply with a court order

Failure to appear to face criminal charges is itself a criminal charge in Indiana. It’s a Class A misdemeanor when the underlying charge is a misdemeanor and a Level 6 felony when the underlying charge is a felony. This means that individuals with these kinds of bench warrants can face additional jail or prison time on top of what they’re given for their initial charges.

Fugitive (or Extradition) Warrants

Purpose: Allow law enforcement officers to arrest a person charged with a crime in another jurisdiction within Indiana.
Issuance: Allow for the transfer of the suspect to the proper jurisdiction.
Details: Authorize state-wide searches for individuals charged with crimes.

A fugitive warrant is a type of arrest warrant issued against those who intentionally avoid criminal charges by leaving the jurisdiction in which the arrest warrant was issued.

These warrants are written in such a way as to allow an arrest outside of a warrant's original jurisdiction and to foster collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies to bring an offender to justice.

No-Knock Warrants

Purpose: Permit officers to enter certain premises without announcing their presence to prevent the destruction of evidence or protect officer safety.
Issuance: Granted under specific conditions that justify the need for such an approach.
Details: While no-knock warrants are legal in Indiana under exigent circumstances, some state police departments discontinued their use in 2020.

A no-knock warrant is a type of warrant that allows police officers to forgo announcing their presence before entering a person’s property. They’re typically issued when the announcement of police presence could lead to the destruction of evidence or put the officers' lives in danger.

Although some jurisdictions within the state regularly employ no-knock warrants, they aren’t used everywhere. For instance, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department forbids their use.

How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Indiana

Ascertaining that you have an outstanding warrant in Indiana can be crucial for addressing the situation promptly and avoiding unexpected legal consequences.

It’s important to keep in mind that checking for a warrant using public or indiscreet methods can expose you to the risk of arrest. Always make sure any information you obtain is current and accurate, as databases can have delays in reflecting recent changes or court actions.

With that being said, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check for an outstanding warrant in your name in the state.

Perform a Warrant Search at the County Level

Many Indiana counties allow residents to perform direct warrant searches in their names online. However, some counties, especially the smaller ones, may not have complete information regarding warrants or publish any information online at all.

Some of the counties that offer free warrant searches online include:

If an online search isn’t available, call the county sheriff to request the information you need.

Check Online Databases

Indiana provides several online resources to help individuals check for warrants. The State’s MyCase portal allows you to search for case information by name. This information can include details of any warrants issued as part of court proceedings.

For federal cases, you can use Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) to search for court documents that might indicate the existence of a warrant.

Reach Out to the Court Clerk's Office

Court clerks are a reliable source for information on warrants, especially if you know which specific court might have issued a warrant against you. These officials can provide details regarding possible warrants and the particulars of the cases associated with them.

Contact Your Local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department

You can contact any Indiana police department directly over the phone to ask for information about an arrest or bench warrant. However, the department isn’t legally obligated to give you this information.

Moreover, law enforcement officers may attempt to interrogate you to determine your location and apprehend you if you have an active arrest or bench warrant in your name. As such, it may be wise to have someone else call for you.

Consult the Indiana State Police

The Indiana State Police maintains a Limited Criminal History Search service, which provides information on criminal records in Indiana and can include warrant information. There’s a fee for this service, and it requires the user to have a basic amount of information about the person they’re searching for.

Work with a Criminal Defense Attorney

Seeking the assistance of a criminal defense attorney is perhaps the best method of finding out whether you have a warrant in your name. If you go this route, your attorney will conduct a thorough warrant search without putting you in jeopardy of an unexpected arrest. They’ll also be instrumental in helping you resolve the warrant and any other legal issues you may be facing.

Contact Your Local Bailsman

Bailsmen can be very helpful when it comes to determining whether you have a warrant out in your name. These professionals have access to various databases and maintain relationships with law enforcement personnel, allowing them to quickly obtain warrant information in many instances.

Visit the District's Federal Court

If you have a federal warrant out for your arrest, you’ll have to conduct your search at the federal level, starting with the federal district court. In most cases, you’ll be able to find the information you need on the court’s website.

Call an Anonymous Tip Line

Some jurisdictions operate anonymous tip lines or websites where individuals can inquire about warrants. These are primarily intended to allow people to report crimes anonymously, but you can also use them to check for warrants without revealing your identity.

Does an Online Warrant Search Provide Accurate Information?

While the information you obtain from an online warrant search will typically be accurate, there’s no way to guarantee that it’s completely error-free. You may encounter imprecise details or outright mistakes.

Generally, if you see a warrant in your name online, it’s likely to be valid. The fact that you’re unable to find evidence of such a warrant, however, doesn’t mean that one hasn’t been issued.

I Was Told I Had a Warrant, But I Don't See One

If you’re informed that you have a warrant but upon checking find that one hasn’t yet been issued, there are a few potential explanations and follow-up steps you should consider.

It's possible that there was a misunderstanding or that you received incorrect information. This could happen due to a clerical error, mistaken identity, or miscommunication within the law enforcement or judicial system.

Sometimes, there might be a delay between the decision to issue a warrant and its entry into the law enforcement databases. If local officials or a legal representative mentioned a warrant, it might be in the process of being issued but not yet active in the system.

Given the possibility of delays in updating the system, it's wise to check the active warrant databases again after a few days.

Even if a warrant hasn't been issued yet, consulting with an attorney is prudent. An attorney can provide practical legal advice, help you understand your rights, and prepare you for the possibility of an active warrant. They can also potentially engage with the authorities to clarify your situation or negotiate on your behalf if a warrant is being considered.

How Long Do Warrants Last in Indiana?

In Indiana, the type of warrant issued determines how long it stays active. Here’s some general information on the time limits of various warrants in the state.

Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are designed to remain in effect indefinitely. They don’t expire and will stay active until the person named in the warrant is apprehended or the issuing authority formally rescinds the warrant.

Law enforcement agencies continually work to execute these warrants, which maintain their validity until the individual is either arrested or the warrant is resolved through other legal means.

Bench Warrants

Similarly, bench warrants don’t have an expiration date. These warrants are typically issued when an individual fails to appear in court as required. A bench warrant compels the person to appear before the court and remains active until the individual addresses the issue that prompted the issuance of the warrant or the judge withdraws it.