Search Salt Lake County Bench Warrants
Salt Lake County bench warrants are issued by the Third District Court and the county Justice Court. With over 1.2 million residents, this is the most populous county in Utah. The sheriff's office maintains a Warrants Division at (385) 468-9370 that handles warrant service and records. Searches are free. You can check for active bench warrants through the Utah Statewide Warrants tool or by contacting the sheriff directly. This page explains how to look up bench warrants in Salt Lake County, where to go for records, and what Utah law says about the process.
Salt Lake County Quick Facts
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Bench Warrants
The sheriff's office is at 3365 South 900 West in South Salt Lake. Call the Warrants Division at (385) 468-9370. The main office line is (385) 468-9300. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This office handles bench warrant service for unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County and provides support to local police departments here.
Bench warrants in this jurisdiction are issued when a person misses a court date or does not comply with a court order. Both the Third District Court and the Justice Court issue bench warrants. Once a judge signs one, it goes into the Utah Criminal Justice Information System. Any officer in Utah can then see it. The sheriff's office updates warrant records in real time to keep the statewide database current.
An inmate lookup service is also available. If someone has already been arrested on a bench warrant here, you can search for them through the Sheriff's civil process page. Results come fast. This tool shows current inmates, charges, and bail amounts.
This screenshot shows the civil process page for the sheriff's office. Use it to check on warrant service, civil process, and related operations in Salt Lake County.
Call ahead. The Warrants Division handles both bench warrants and arrest warrants. Be specific about which type you are asking about when you call.
How to Search Salt Lake County Bench Warrants
The free Utah Statewide Warrants search is the quickest way to check for bench warrants here. Enter a first and last name. It is free. The system pulls from courts across Utah, including the Third District Court and the county Justice Court. Results show the person's age, charge, case number, and issuing court. This tool is available 24 hours a day.
Visit the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City for in-person searches. Public terminals let you search court records through the XChange system at no cost. Online access through Utah Courts XChange costs $30 per month or $240 per year. It provides case details including dockets, hearing dates, and party names for all district and justice court cases in this county.
For police records tied to bench warrants in Salt Lake City, file a GRAMA request with the Salt Lake City Police Department. No appointment is needed. Their records office is at the Public Safety Building at 475 South 300 East. Hours for in-person requests are Monday through Friday from noon to 4:00 PM.
This image shows the GRAMA request portal for Salt Lake City Police. Use it to request police reports and other records related to bench warrants and arrests in the area.
Salt Lake County Courts and Bench Warrants
The Third District Court is the main court for Salt Lake County. It sits at the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street. This court handles felonies, class A misdemeanors, and civil cases. Bench warrants from here often involve missed hearings in serious criminal or civil matters. Call (801) 238-7300 for details.
The county Justice Court is at 2001 South State Street, Suite S4200. It handles class B and C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims. Missed traffic court dates and unpaid fines are the most common reasons for bench warrants at this level. Reach the Justice Court at (385) 468-8600.
Both courts send bench warrant data to the statewide system. Every officer in Utah can see an active warrant from Salt Lake County. No time limit applies. The warrant stays active until the judge recalls it or the person appears in court.
| Third District Court |
Scott M. Matheson Courthouse 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: (801) 238-7300 |
|---|---|
| Justice Court |
2001 South State Street, S4200 Salt Lake City, UT 84190 Phone: (385) 468-8600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Records Requests for Bench Warrants in Salt Lake County
Bench warrants are public records in Salt Lake County. Utah's GRAMA law lets anyone request copies. Several options exist for filing a records request. Visit the sheriff's Records Division at 3365 South 900 West in South Salt Lake. You can also call or submit a written request. Check the Salt Lake County Records Management page for details on the GRAMA process and links to request forms.
Above is the Records Management portal for GRAMA requests. Use this page to submit your request for bench warrant records or other public records from county government offices.
The county has 10 business days to respond. Media requests can be processed in 5 business days. For bench warrant records, the Warrants Division often provides status over the phone right away. It is free to ask. Copies of actual warrant documents require a formal request. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more. Staff time is free for the first 15 minutes.
Keep in mind that Salt Lake City Police records are separate. File your GRAMA request at the Public Safety Building for those, not the sheriff's office. These are separate agencies with separate records systems.
Salt Lake County Bench Warrant Search Tools
Several tools can help you search for bench warrants in Salt Lake County. Check the county Court warrant search page for information on active warrants through the court system. Online access is free through BCI. The XChange system gives deeper access to case files for subscribers.
This screenshot shows the court warrant search information page. It explains the types of warrants, how to check your status, and where to go if you have an active bench warrant.
Here is a summary of the main ways to search for bench warrants in this area:
- BCI Statewide Warrants search at bci.utah.gov
- Utah Courts XChange system online or at courthouse terminals
- Salt Lake County Sheriff's Warrants Division by phone
- In-person at the Matheson Courthouse
- GRAMA request to the Sheriff or court clerk
Bench Warrants Under Utah Law
Salt Lake County bench warrants are governed by state law. Under Utah Code Title 77, Chapter 7, any peace officer who knows about an outstanding warrant can make an arrest. Time of day does not matter. A county deputy, a city police officer, or a Utah Highway Patrol trooper can all act on a bench warrant during a traffic stop, a response to a call, or any other contact.
Public access to bench warrant records is protected by GRAMA, Utah Code 63G-2. Once issued, a bench warrant is a public record. Courts may restrict access before the warrant is served in rare cases, but after service the record is fully open. File a request with any agency that holds the record, or use the GRAMA request form from the Utah State Archives.
The Utah Department of Public Safety oversees BCI and the statewide warrant system. Questions about how bench warrants are tracked across counties can go to BCI at (801) 965-4445 in Taylorsville.
Resolving a Salt Lake County Bench Warrant
If you discover a bench warrant under your name in Salt Lake County, take action quickly. Contact the court that issued it. Act soon. You may be able to schedule a new hearing date and have the bench warrant recalled. Many people here hire a defense attorney to handle this process. An attorney can sometimes appear in court on your behalf and resolve the issue without you going to jail.
Turning yourself in at the county jail is another option. The facility processes voluntary surrenders. Bring your ID. Be prepared to see a judge or post bail. Acting on your own terms is far better than being arrested during a traffic stop on I-15. Bench warrants do not go away on their own. They remain active until the court takes action.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County includes many cities and towns. Every bench warrant for cases filed in county courts is handled through the Third District Court or the Justice Court system.
These cities are within Salt Lake County. Bench warrants issued by county courts apply across all of them.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County borders several other Utah counties. Check the statewide search if you are not sure which county issued a bench warrant. It shows the issuing court and county for each active warrant.