Lake County Warrant Search

A Lake County warrant search checks for active or outstanding warrants issued against persons in Lake County. People conduct warrant searches for various reasons, including employment, rentals, legal cases, law enforcement, self-checks, and bail services.

Information typically available in warrant searches includes the individual's name, the type of warrant (e.g., arrest, search, bench), the alleged offense, the issuing authority, and any specific instructions or conditions related to the warrant.

Local courthouse records, law enforcement agencies (like the Lake County Sheriff's Office), and online databases maintained by local (or state) judicial or law enforcement agencies are sources for conducting Lake County warrant searches.

Most Lake County warrants result in arrest. However, a warrant can be resolved in some cases without going to jail. If a person is arrested based on a warrant, additional information about the circumstances leading to the arrest will be available in Lake County arrest records.

Are Lake County Warrants Public Records?

Yes. Warrants are generally considered public records. However, they may be considered confidential in Indiana, where public access is only allowed after execution. For example, according to Rule 5 of the Indiana Rules of Court, search warrants are specifically restricted from public disclosure. However, arrest and bench warrants can be made public after execution or before execution in certain circumstances, as outlined in Rule 9.

Types of Warrants in Lake County

A warrant is a legal document that authorizes the bearer, typically a law enforcement officer, to carry out a specific action (e.g., arrest or search) as outlined in the document. Warrants are issued against persons in Lake County for different reasons, including criminal offenses, contempt of court, failure to appear in court, and probation violation. Different types of warrants are issued in Lake County; notable among them are arrest, search, and bench warrants.

Arrest warrants authorize the arrest and detention of individuals for criminal offenses; search warrants allow the police to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime; bench warrants authorize arrests when individuals fail to appear in court as required.

Do I Have a Warrant in Lake County?

To find active or outstanding warrants in Lake County, individuals can:

• Contact the county sheriff or municipal police.
• Check with county courthouses.
• Search court databases or warrant lists.
• Use Lake County Sheriff's Warrants Search.
• Search third-party record aggregate websites.
• Consult an attorney.

Active Warrant Search in Lake County

To check for active or outstanding warrants in Lake County, interested parties should contact the issuing agency (such as a courthouse) or the executing agency (like the sheriff's office or local police). Generally, individuals can confirm arrest warrants with law enforcement agencies while verifying bench warrants with the court handling the pending case. Although these agencies provide various ways to search or verify warrants within their jurisdiction, the common ones include in-person, online, mail, email, or phone inquiries.

Arrest Warrant Search

A Lake County arrest warrant is a legal order allowing law enforcement to arrest a suspect based on probable cause. Judges or magistrates issue arrest warrants under Indiana Code § 35-33-2-1. Police officers and sheriff's deputies are authorized to execute these warrants per Indiana Code § 35-33-2-3.

To search for active or outstanding arrest warrants in Lake County, interested parties can submit queries in person (Monday through Friday) during business hours, by mail, or by phone to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Alternatively, they can search for Lake County active warrants online through the "Lake County Sheriff's Warrants Search" system.

Lake County Sheriff's Department
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307-1854
Phone: (219) 755-3057
Email: warrants@lakecountysheriff.com.

Additionally, interested individuals can contact a municipal police department within the county to inquire about active warrants. The person's first and last name must be provided to initiate a search request.

Bench Warrant Lookup

A Lake County bench warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest and bring a person before the court. Bench warrants are issued against people for contempt of court (e.g., a no-show in court or failure to pay court-ordered fines).

Interested individuals can search for Lake County bench warrants by contacting the court handling the case. For example, they can contact the clerk of the Lake County Circuit or Superior Court to inquire about or confirm whether a bench warrant exists for someone with a pending case in either court. Alternatively, they can look up bench warrants by searching the Indiana MyCase portal.

Free Warrant Search

Lake County judicial and law enforcement agencies offer free warrant searches to interested parties, whether in person or online, through their designated resources or warrant lists. However, this is limited to viewing or inspecting records. Requesters must cover the cost of obtaining copies when needed.

Can You Check Lake County Warrants Online?

Yes. Interested individuals can conduct warrant checks online using resources provided by Lake County judicial or law enforcement agencies. Additionally, they may use third-party online resources for these checks. Third-party sites often aggregate judicial or law enforcement records, including warrant data, across multiple jurisdictions in Indiana and provide them through searchable repositories to interested parties. With a subject's name or case number, individuals can easily find warrant information on these sites.

However, these sites may not be free. Since they are not affiliated with any official agency, the availability, volume, or reliability of any public record data they contain cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, as with official sources, individuals will only have access to warrants deemed open through third-party sites.

Do Lake County Warrants Expire?

How long a warrant remains active and valid in Lake County depends on the type of warrant:

• Arrest warrants—a misdemeanor arrest warrant is valid for 180 days, while a felony arrest and a rearrest warrant do not expire but remain active until the person named on the warrant is arrested, surrenders to law enforcement, or the issuing court recalls or quashes the warrant.
• Bench warrants—a bench warrant does not expire. It remains active until the subject of the warrant appears in court or the issues that led to it are resolved.
• Search warrants—a search warrant is generally active for 10 days.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

To clear a warrant in Lake County without going to jail, individuals can:

• File a motion to quash or recall the warrant: Legally challenge and potentially dismiss the warrant.
• Post a cash, surety, or attorney bond: Secure release by paying a bond amount.
• Pay fines or fees: Settle the warrant by clearing any outstanding payments.
• Contact the issuing court's clerk for specific instructions on clearing the warrant.