Travis County Arrest Warrant Search
An arrest warrants in Travis County, Texas, can raise your anxiety levels, but it can be even worse if you don’t know whether or not you have a warrant. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself or someone else, understanding how to conduct a warrant search in Austin or Travis County is crucial. The Texas Department of Public Safety tracks warrants issued in Texas, so they appear on national background checks.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to verify an outstanding warrant, understand the issuance process of an arrest warrant in Travis County, and explore options for clearing a warrant. If you or a loved on has an active warrant and you are ready to clear it, give ATX Legal a call or fill out a contact form to talk about your options.
Warrant Search Travis County, TX
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) maintains a database for active warrants that is accessible to the public for this purpose. Individuals can visit the official TCSO website and use the online search tool to find information on an outstanding warrant. Additionally, the Austin Police Department (APD) offers resources for warrant records searches related to city-level offenses.
Austin Police Department (APD) Arrest Warrant
An active warrant in Austin is issued when a judge believes there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. These warrants grant law enforcement the authority to locate, detain, and bring the individual to court. A routine traffic stop could mean that you’re arrested and taken to jail. Austin arrest warrants are public records, and as such, they can be searched through specific online portals provided by local law enforcement agencies. The link to the Austin Police Department database for active warrants can be found here. Warrants issued outside of Austin, Tx that are not handled by the Sheriff’s office may be more difficult to locate and you might need to contact the local police department.
Other Warrant Information
Besides arrest warrants, there are other types of outstanding warrants you might encounter, such as a bench warrant, search warrant, and civil warrant. Each serves a different purpose, with a bench warrant typically issued for failing to appear in court, a search warrant allowing for the search of property, and a civil warrant related to civil lawsuits.
Verify Outstanding Warrants
To verify if there is an outstanding warrant in Travis County or Austin, TX, individuals can utilize the online records search tools provided by the TCSO or APD. Sometimes it’s also possible to contact the court clerk’s office directly for this information. For class C misdemeanor warrants like traffic tickets across the state of Texas, you can visit www.failuretoappear.com. When searching for a warrant, having the full name of the individual and, if possible, their date of birth can help refine the search results.
Unfortunately, not all active warrants will appear on the automated system, so there may be an active warrant even if it does not show online. Even if it shows on the website eventually, court records sometimes take a couple weeks to be updated once there are active warrants issued. An attorney may be able to contact the investigator for more information, but law enforcement is not required to disclose an active warrant, so it can be difficult to verify in some situations.
How does an Arrest Warrant in Travis County get issued?
In Travis County, an arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement presents evidence to a judge that likely indicates a crime has been committed. The judge must be convinced there is probable cause based on the evidence provided, which can include witness testimony, surveillance footage, or other pertinent information. Once convinced, the judge will sign the warrant, making it active, and law enforcement can then arrest the person named in the warrant.
How to Clear a Warrant
Clearing a warrant in Travis County typically involves either resolving the issue that led to the warrant’s issuance by being arrested, turning yourself in an being taken into custody or appearing in court. For arrest warrants, the individual may need to turn themselves in law enforcement at the Travis County Jail and post bail if required. For bench warrants, resolving the underlying court issue, such as paying a fine or attending a mandated court appearance, is necessary. It’s highly recommended to consult with an attorney to understand the best course of action and to ensure that rights are protected throughout the process.
A criminal defense attorney can provide advice, represent you in court, and guide you through the process of clearing your name efficiently and effectively. In some cases, you may be eligible to do a “walk-through” at the Travis County Courthouse, where the attorney gets a signed personal bond from a judge before you conduct the turn-in. This means that the whole process might only take an hour or two, and you won’t be handcuffed and taken into the jail. Not all cases are eligible for a walk-through, so speak with an attorney to understand if you are eligible.
After the warrant is cleared, you are given a court date and can handle the underlying case. A warrant does NOT mean you are guilty. A criminal defense lawyer will fight your case in court to get the best outcome.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney
At ATX Legal, we handle criminal cases in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. We also offer free consultations. If you have an active warrant, and would like to speak with a criminal defense attorney, fill out a contact form, or text 512-677-5003 to schedule a phone call with a licensed attorney.