Broomfield Warrant Records
Searching for warrant records in Broomfield County involves contacting the Broomfield Police Department and combined court since this consolidated city-county operates differently than most Colorado jurisdictions. Broomfield became a separate county in 2001 after splitting from Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld counties. With approximately 76,860 residents, Broomfield maintains its own police force rather than a traditional sheriff's office. Warrant information comes from the Police Department for law enforcement warrants and the combined court for bench warrants. Understanding this unique structure helps you navigate the warrant search process effectively.
Broomfield Police Department
The Broomfield Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city and county. Located at 7 DesCombes Drive in Broomfield, the department handles patrol, investigations, and warrant services. Non-emergency phone is 303-438-6400. The Police Department processes warrants issued by local courts and maintains records of active warrants within their jurisdiction.
When calling about warrants, ask for records or the warrants unit. Provide full name and date of birth for the search. Staff can verify if active warrants exist but may not discuss details with the warrant subject. This policy prevents people from learning about warrants and fleeing. If you think you might have a warrant, consider hiring an attorney to check first. The lawyer can call on your behalf and get information without putting you at risk of immediate arrest.
Combined Court Operations
Broomfield Combined Court is at 17 DesCombes Drive in Broomfield, right next to the Police Department. Court phone is 720-437-6200. The combined court handles both district and county court matters. District court covers felonies, large civil cases, and family law. County court deals with misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and small civil claims. Both court levels issue warrants depending on case type and severity.
Bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or violates probation or bond conditions. Arrest warrants come from criminal investigations where probable cause exists. The court clerk can search for warrants by name or case number. They'll provide bond amounts, court dates, and charge information. Clerks can't give legal advice but they explain procedures and provide case information. For legal guidance about handling warrants, consult an attorney.
Warrant Categories
Broomfield County issues several types of warrants. Arrest warrants are based on probable cause that someone committed a crime. Police or prosecutors present evidence to a judge who reviews it and signs the warrant if grounds exist. These warrants stay active until the person is arrested or the court recalls them. Bench warrants stem from court order violations. Missing a scheduled court appearance is the main trigger. Probation violations and bond condition violations also result in bench warrants.
Failure to appear warrants happen when someone misses a required court date. Even traffic tickets can escalate to warrants if you don't show up. The court may suspend your license and add extra fees. Search warrants allow police to search specific locations for evidence. Those aren't public until executed. Fugitive warrants involve people wanted from other jurisdictions. Broomfield works with surrounding counties and other states on extradition cases. Each warrant type has different resolution procedures.
How to Check for Warrants
To check for Broomfield warrants, call the Police Department at 303-438-6400. Ask for records or the warrants unit. Provide full name and date of birth. Staff will search their system and tell you if active warrants exist. For court warrant information, call the combined court at 720-437-6200. Court clerks can look up cases by name or case number and check for attached warrants. These direct contacts provide the most reliable information.
Broomfield doesn't offer a public online warrant search database. Commercial background check websites claim to search warrants but results are often incomplete or outdated. For accurate information about Broomfield warrants, contact local agencies directly. Don't make important decisions based on third-party website results. If you're checking your own status and worried about arrest, hire a lawyer to make the calls. That protects you while getting the information you need.
Legal Framework
Colorado law governs warrant procedures statewide. CRS 16-3-303 establishes search warrant requirements. They must be based on sworn affidavits showing probable cause. The affidavit has to describe what's being searched and what evidence is sought. CRS 16-3-305 requires search warrants to be executed within 14 days or they expire. Arrest warrants and bench warrants don't have expiration dates. They remain active indefinitely.
CRS 16-2-110 makes failure to appear unlawful. When someone receives a summons and doesn't show up, judges can issue bench warrants. Penalties include license suspension, bail forfeiture, and contempt charges. Additional fines accumulate. The court can increase bail requirements for future cases. These consequences make it important to address warrants quickly rather than letting them sit.
Resolving Warrants
When you discover a Broomfield warrant, hiring a criminal defense attorney is the best approach. The lawyer can file motions to recall or quash the warrant. They might arrange for you to appear voluntarily at the courthouse instead of being arrested. Some attorneys negotiate walk-throughs where you appear before the judge and leave without detention. This depends on charge severity and criminal history. Minor offenses qualify more often than serious felonies.
If you can't afford an attorney, call the court yourself. For traffic violations or minor misdemeanors, they may let you pay fines to close the case. For criminal charges, they'll schedule you to appear before a judge. Ask about payment plans if you can't pay everything at once. Courts prefer voluntary compliance. Showing up on your own demonstrates responsibility. Judges typically view that favorably. It's better than waiting for police to arrest you.
Broomfield's Unique Status
Broomfield is unique as a consolidated city-county. It split from four surrounding counties in 2001 to become Colorado's newest and smallest county by area. The city government and county government are one entity. This affects warrant procedures because there's no separate sheriff's office. The Police Department handles functions that sheriff's offices perform in other counties. This includes warrants, detention, and court security.
Broomfield is part of the 17th Judicial District along with Adams County. District court judges serve both counties. County court judges are specific to each county. This means some warrants involve judges from the 17th Judicial District overall while others are specific to Broomfield. The system works smoothly despite the complexity. Residents just need to know to contact the Police Department rather than a sheriff's office for warrant inquiries.
CBI and State Resources
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history records but doesn't provide public warrant searches. You can get a background check showing arrests and convictions for $5 online or $13 by mail. That won't show active warrants. CBI's database is for criminal history, not current warrant status. The Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System connects agencies statewide. Law enforcement can see warrants from any Colorado county through this system but public access isn't available.
Legal Assistance Options
Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Public defenders are available if you can't afford private counsel. You must apply through the court and meet income requirements. Local bail bondsmen can post bond for a fee, usually 10-15% of the bond amount. That money is non-refundable even if charges are dismissed. Bond secures your release but you must still appear for all court dates.
Practical Advice
Don't ignore warrants. They remain active until resolved. The longer they sit, the worse consequences become. Additional charges may be filed. Courts become less cooperative. Even if you left Broomfield years ago, the warrant is still valid. It can cause problems anywhere in Colorado or other states. Traffic stops routinely include warrant checks. Airport security can reveal warrants. Background checks for jobs or housing will show them. Address warrants proactively.
When you learn about a warrant, act immediately. Call the court or hire a lawyer. The sooner you deal with it, the more options you have. Courts respect people who take responsibility. Running makes everything worse. If you have multiple warrants from different cases, an attorney can help coordinate resolution. They might consolidate appearances or negotiate with prosecutors. Professional legal help typically produces better outcomes than trying to handle it yourself.
Contact Information
Broomfield Police Department: 7 DesCombes Drive, Broomfield, CO 80020. Non-emergency phone 303-438-6400. Broomfield Combined Court: 17 DesCombes Drive, Broomfield, CO 80020. Phone 720-437-6200. The Colorado Judicial Branch website has additional court information. For legal assistance, contact Colorado Legal Services or the Colorado Bar Association. Remember that warrant information is generally public under Colorado law but exceptions exist for sealed cases and ongoing investigations.