Search Adams County Warrants

Finding warrant records in Adams County starts with knowing where to look and what tools are available. The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that residents can search to check for active warrants. This system updates daily at 7AM and covers warrants issued through county courts. You can also call the warrants section if you need help with a search or have questions about a warrant that shows up. Many folks find it easier to use the online tool first before making a phone call. The search works by entering a last name, first name, and date of birth to pull up any matching records in the system.

Online Warrant Search Tool

Adams County runs one of the more accessible warrant search systems in Colorado. The database lives at the Sheriff's website and anyone can use it free of charge. You type in the person's last name, first name, and birth date. The system checks against all active warrants issued by Adams County courts. Results show up right away if there's a match. Keep in mind juvenile warrants don't appear in public searches. The database excludes sealed records too. If you search for yourself and find a warrant, consider talking to an attorney before visiting the Sheriff's Office in person.

The Adams County Sheriff warrant search portal is open 24/7 online. Records update every morning by 7AM. That means a warrant issued yesterday afternoon won't show until the next day. The system covers all types of warrants including bench warrants, arrest warrants, and failure to appear warrants. Municipal court warrants from cities like Aurora, Brighton, or Thornton might not appear here. Those cities maintain their own municipal court systems and warrant databases.

When you visit the warrant search page, you'll see fields for last name, first name, and date of birth. All three are required. The search won't work with partial information. If the person has a common name, the birth date helps narrow results. Not finding a warrant doesn't mean one doesn't exist with another agency. Adams County only shows warrants it issued. Check with Aurora Municipal Court or other city courts if needed.

Sheriff's Office Warrants Section

The warrants division handles all active warrants in Adams County. They process new warrants, recalls, and clearances. The office is at 150 North 19th Avenue in Brighton. Phone number is 720-322-1325 and they're open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. If you call, they can verify whether a warrant exists but may not give details over the phone. Bonding questions go to a different number at 303-654-1850. For warrant tips or to report someone with an active warrant, call dispatch at 303-288-1535.

If you want to turn yourself in on a warrant, you can go to the detention facility any time. It's open 24/7 for surrenders. Bring ID and be ready to go through booking. Some folks hire a lawyer first who can arrange a walk-through or try to get the warrant recalled. That's often smarter than just showing up. A lawyer might be able to post bond in advance or work out a deal with the court. The detention facility is also at 150 North 19th Avenue in Brighton.

Types of Warrants in Adams County

Adams County issues several kinds of warrants. Arrest warrants come from probable cause that a crime was committed. A judge reviews the evidence and signs the warrant. Bench warrants happen when someone misses court or violates probation. Failure to appear warrants are a type of bench warrant. They all authorize law enforcement to arrest the person named. Some warrants have bond amounts listed. Others say no bond until you see a judge. The warrant database shows the case number, charge, and issuing court.

Search warrants are different. They let police search a location for evidence. The public can't search for those online. They're part of active investigations. Once executed, search warrants become court records you can request. Fugitive warrants involve people wanted in other states. Extradition warrants bring them back. Adams County works with other jurisdictions on those cases. Most warrants in the online database are local arrest or bench warrants.

Municipal Court Warrants

Adams County has multiple cities with their own courts. Aurora Municipal Court is the biggest. It handles traffic and misdemeanor cases for Aurora residents. Brighton Municipal Court, Commerce City Municipal Court, Federal Heights Municipal Court, Northglenn Municipal Court, Thornton Municipal Court, and Westminster Municipal Court all operate separately. Each court issues its own warrants. The county sheriff database might not include them. You have to check with each city individually.

Aurora has its own municipal court warrant search available online. The other cities may require phone calls or in-person visits. Westminster spans Adams and Jefferson counties so check both. Some municipal warrants are for minor issues like unpaid tickets. Others involve misdemeanor crimes. Either way they're still warrants and you can be arrested. Many municipal courts offer payment plans or community service options if you can't afford to pay.

Public Records Access

The Adams County Sheriff public records page explains how to request documents. Warrant information is generally public unless sealed by the court. You can request copies of warrants, affidavits, and case files. Some records have fees for copies. The Sheriff's Office processes requests under the Colorado Open Records Act. That law says public records should be available for inspection by any person at reasonable times. Exceptions exist for ongoing investigations or sealed cases.

Criminal justice records can't be used to solicit business for monetary gain. That's stated right on the warrant search page. In other words you can't scrape the database to sell leads to bail bondsmen or lawyers. Personal use and research are fine. News media can use the records. The restriction targets commercial data mining. It's there to protect privacy and prevent harassment of people with warrants.

Court System and Judicial Districts

Adams County is part of the 17th Judicial District. That includes Adams and Broomfield counties. District court handles felonies and major civil cases. County court deals with misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and small claims. Both courts can issue warrants. The main courthouse is the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton. Some proceedings happen at the Brighton Municipal Justice Center too. Court records are separate from the Sheriff's warrant database but they're connected through CICJIS.

The Colorado Judicial Branch Adams County page has contact info for all courts. You can find dockets, file documents, and pay fines through the court system. If you have a warrant from a failure to appear, calling the court clerk might help. They can tell you when your next court date is or if you need to post bond. Sometimes the court will recall a warrant if you arrange to appear voluntarily. That's not guaranteed but it's worth asking.

Warrant Clearance and Legal Help

Some Colorado counties hold warrant clearance events where you can resolve certain warrants without going to jail. Adams County occasionally participates. Check the Sheriff's website or call to find out about upcoming events. These usually focus on minor warrants like traffic violations or misdemeanors. Serious felony warrants won't qualify. But if you have an old bench warrant for something small, a clearance event might be the way to handle it.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney is smart if you have a warrant. The lawyer can check what charges are pending and what the bond amount is. They might file a motion to quash the warrant or arrange for you to surrender without sitting in jail. Some attorneys can appear in court on your behalf to get a new court date. That costs money but it beats getting arrested at a traffic stop. Public defenders are available if you can't afford a private lawyer. You have to qualify based on income.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history records for the state. Their database includes arrest records based on fingerprints. But warrant information is not available to the public through CBI. You can get a background check on yourself for $5 online or $13 by mail. That shows past arrests and convictions. It won't show active warrants. CBI has a fugitive unit that works with U.S. Marshals on high-priority cases. If you're on a most wanted list, CBI might be involved. For everyday warrant checks, stick with the county sheriff.

Related Resources

Adams County Sheriff's Office is at 150 North 19th Avenue in Brighton. Main phone is 720-322-1325 for the warrants section. Bonding questions call 303-654-1850. Dispatch for tips is 303-288-1535. The office handles patrol, detention, civil process, and warrants. They also manage the sex offender registry and do background checks for concealed carry permits. The Sheriff's website has forms, FAQ sections, and community resources.

If you need a lawyer, the Colorado Bar Association runs a referral service. You can also contact Colorado Legal Services for free legal aid if you qualify based on income. The Adams County courthouse has a help center for people representing themselves. Court staff can't give legal advice but they can explain procedures and forms. Don't ignore a warrant. It won't go away and you could be arrested at any time. Dealing with it proactively is always better than waiting for police to show up.