Lee County Warrant Search

A warrant search in Lee County, also known as a warrant check, is an inquiry for active or outstanding warrants issued within the county. Most warrant checks are performed by inquisitive individuals who wish to ascertain whether a warrant has been issued against them or close relatives. Business entities or employers may also carry out a warrant check to validate the trustworthiness of prospective partners and employees. Furthermore, most criminal justice and law enforcement agencies conduct a warrant search to determine a suspect's status.

A Lee County warrant search may be done at a law enforcement agency's physical location (usually the Sheriff's office), a courthouse, online resources, or statewide repositories. In some cases, concerned persons may find warrant information in Lee County arrest records. Interested persons may visit the Sheriff's Office, other local/state police departments, or courthouses in person to retrieve warrant information generated in Lee County.

Are Lee County Warrants Public Records?

According to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (the Sunshine Law), Lee County warrants are public records. Under this law, anyone, including warrant subjects, peace officers, and residents, may request warrant information from their custodians.

Nevertheless, there are exemptions and statutes of limitation guiding public access to warrant information. For instance, warrants that contain sensitive or confidential information under State laws may not be readily available for public inspection. In addition, unexecuted search/arrest warrants and their supporting affidavits are not publicly accessible until they are executed or deemed open by law enforcement (Rule 2.420, Public Access to Judicial Branch Records).

Types of Warrants in Lee County

Lee County issues a variety of warrants depending on the peculiarity of the situation and offense involved. An outline of the different types of warrants issued in Lee County is provided below:

• Agricultural Warrant: typically issued to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under Statute 581 or 585. This type of Warrant is mainly issued to regulate plant and animal protection.
• Extradition or Governor's Warrant: This Warrant is issued by the Governor and carries the state seal. FS 941 mandates peace officers to arrest a fugitive on account of a requesting state.
• Search Warrant: This authorizes enforcement agencies to search a specific person, location, or property and seize or confiscate implicating items as evidence in a court proceeding.
• Arrest Warrant: issued for criminal offenses such as misdemeanors or felonies.
• Bench Warrant: usually issued for civil infractions such as failure to appear in court or violating parole.

Other types of warrants issued in Lee County under state laws are complaint warrants, child support arrest warrants, failure to pay warrants, execution warrants, and tax warrants.

Do I Have a Warrant in Lee County?

There are several ways through which interested persons may find active or outstanding warrants issued in Lee County. They may:

• Contact the Sheriff's office or other local police departments
• Visit the clerk's office of a court
• Access online databases maintained by the courts or enforcement agencies
• Search the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's warrant database
• Use third-party search tools.

Active Warrant Search in Lee County

The processes involved in performing an active warrant search in Lee County may differ based on the warrant type, the custodial office, or the Statutes regulating its issuance. For instance, subjects may be unable to obtain information about search warrants issued against them until it is executed.

Generally, one may obtain active warrant information from the issuing court or a law enforcement agency, usually the Sheriff's office. Residents and other requestors may query the Lee County Sheriff's Office to obtain warrant information, especially regarding arrests. They may do so in person, send mail requests, or review information provided on the Sheriff's website.

Arrest Warrant Search

Lee County arrest warrants are usually issued in connection with criminal offenses and maintained chiefly by the county's law enforcement agencies. Inquirers may query the Sheriff's office and other police departments to conduct an arrest warrant search. The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database for searching active and outstanding arrest warrants.

Besides, the State's Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) manages an online repository for free access to active arrest warrants across the State. This online resource can be searched by name, age, race, sex, and date of birth.

Bench Warrant Lookup

In Lee County, a bench warrant is necessitated by the subject's failure to appear in court, pay court-ordered fines/fees, or violate probation and parole obligations. Bench warrants may be issued for misdemeanors or felonies ("alias capas"). Since bench warrants are usually associated with civil cases, they are basically maintained by the County Clerk's Office. Concerned persons may request a bench warrant lookup to the Lee County Clerk of Court's Office or search the official records portal provided by the clerk's office.

Free Warrant Search

Lee County warrant searches are usually cost-free. The Courts, Sheriff's Office, and local police departments provide free access to warrant information in their physical locations or online. Nonetheless, requesting copies of the reviewed documents may have cost implications as determined by the record custodian.

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes. In addition to the online resources provided by state and local agencies, one may remotely check for Lee County warrants via third-party websites. Like other official sources, third-party websites require searchers to provide certain search criteria such as a name, date of birth, issuing location, or case number. However, these sites usually charge a fee or require a paid subscription to provide warrant information to users.

It is important to note that the public records law also applies to third-party websites. Hence, one may not be able to access confidential warrant information and personal information when conducting a warrant information search using third-party websites.

Do Lee County Warrants Expire?

It depends. In Lee County, a warrant's validity period depends on the type of Warrant and the nature of the offense. Per state laws, search warrants have a validity period of ten days from the issuing date, while an agricultural warrant may last for six months. Arrest and bench warrants, on the other hand, remain active until an arrest has been made or the subject makes a willing appearance in court. Other factors, such as a fleeing suspect, statutes of limitations, and a Court's decision to recall a warrant, may influence its validity period.

How to Clear a Lee County Warrant Without Going to Jail

It may be possible to clear certain arrest warrants issued in Lee County without being at the risk of a jail term. Depending on the reason for the Warrant, concerned persons may resolve issued warrants without going to jail by:

• Making a voluntary appearance in court in the company of a legal professional
• Paying the court-ordered fines, fees, and obligations
• Satisfying the requirements set forth by the issuing court, including posting bail, parole, probation, and other diversion programs
• Filing a petition to the issuing court for the quashing of an issued warrant.