San Juan County Bench Warrants
San Juan County bench warrants are handled by the Sixth District Court and the San Juan County Justice Court in Monticello, Utah. The county has around 15,000 residents spread across the largest county by land area in Utah. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office processes roughly 500 warrants each year, including bench warrants for missed court dates. You can search for active bench warrants in San Juan County through the free Utah Statewide Warrants tool or by calling the Sheriff at (435) 587-2237. This page covers how to find bench warrants, request records, and understand the process in San Juan County.
San Juan County Quick Facts
San Juan County Sheriff and Bench Warrants
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is at 297 South Main Street in Monticello. Deputies serve the entire county, which spans more than 7,800 square miles. That makes it the largest county by land in Utah. A dedicated warrants division tracks all active bench warrants and works with other agencies across the state.
Bench warrants in San Juan County are issued when someone does not show up for a court hearing or fails to follow a court order. The judge signs it from the bench. It enters both the local system and the Utah Statewide Warrants file. Priority goes to warrants tied to violent offenses. All bench warrants are acted on over time.
You can reach the San Juan County Sheriff's Office by phone at (435) 587-2237 or by visiting in person during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The image above shows the San Juan County Sheriff's web page. Use it to get directions, find phone numbers, and learn about the services the office provides for bench warrant inquiries.
Searching for Bench Warrants in San Juan County
The fastest way to check for a bench warrant in San Juan County is the BCI Statewide Warrants search. Type in a first and last name. The tool returns results from all Utah courts, including those in San Juan County. Each result shows the person's age, the offense, the case number, and the court that issued the warrant. This is free and works any time of day.
In-person searches are also possible. Go to the Sheriff's Office at 297 South Main in Monticello. Bring your ID and ask staff to check for bench warrants. They can pull up the data quickly. The San Juan County Justice Court at the same address has public access terminals where you can search case records on your own.
For a broader search, use the Utah Courts XChange tool. It covers district and justice courts across the state. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. The system costs $30 per month to use online, but public terminals at the courthouse provide free access.
- BCI Statewide Warrants tool for free online checks
- In-person inquiry at the Sheriff's Office
- Phone call to (435) 587-2237
- Public terminals at San Juan County Justice Court
- XChange system for detailed court records
San Juan County Courts That Issue Bench Warrants
The Sixth District Court in San Juan County handles felonies and serious criminal matters. Bench warrants from this court tend to involve major cases where the accused missed a critical hearing. The San Juan County Justice Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims. Justice court bench warrants often stem from skipped traffic court dates or unpaid fines. Both courts are in Monticello.
When a bench warrant is issued in San Juan County, it enters the Courts Information System. This makes it visible to law enforcement statewide. A person with an active bench warrant from San Juan County can be arrested anywhere in Utah. The warrant record includes the charge, the court, the judge's name, and the bail amount if one was set.
| Sixth District Court |
Monticello, UT 84535 Phone: Check Utah Courts website |
|---|---|
| Justice Court |
297 South Main Street Monticello, UT 84535 Phone: (435) 587-2544 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Note: San Juan County accepts voluntary surrenders at the Sheriff's Office during business hours if you want to resolve a bench warrant on your own terms.
Public Records and Bench Warrants in San Juan County
Bench warrants in San Juan County are public records under GRAMA. You can request copies from the Sheriff's Office or the court that issued the warrant. To file a GRAMA request, put it in writing. Include your name, address, and a clear description of what records you need. Mail it to P.O. Box 788, Monticello, UT 84535, or email it to klee@sanjuancountyut.gov.
The county has 10 business days to respond. However, bench warrant status checks are usually handled right away over the phone or at the counter. Formal GRAMA requests are better suited for getting copies of the actual warrant document or related court filings. Fees are low. Inspecting records is free. Copies cost about $0.25 per page. Certified copies run $4.00 per document plus copy fees.
The San Juan County Directory has email addresses and phone numbers for every county office, including the Clerk and the Sheriff. Use it to find the right contact for your bench warrant records request.
This screenshot shows the San Juan County online directory. It lists contacts for the Sheriff, County Clerk, and other departments that can help with bench warrant records and public records requests.
Utah Law on Bench Warrants
San Juan County bench warrants follow Utah state law. Under Utah Code Title 77, Chapter 7, any peace officer can serve a warrant at any time. A San Juan County deputy, a highway patrol trooper, or any other Utah officer can arrest someone on a bench warrant during a routine stop or any other encounter. The law does not limit bench warrant service to regular business hours.
Public access to warrant records is guaranteed by GRAMA, Utah Code 63G-2. Once a bench warrant is issued, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request to see it. The Utah State Archives website has a sample GRAMA request form you can use for any county, including San Juan County.
Note: A bench warrant in San Juan County does not have a set end date and stays active until the court recalls it or the person appears before the judge.
What San Juan County Bench Warrant Records Show
A bench warrant record in San Juan County contains several key facts. It lists the full name of the subject, the date the warrant was issued, and the nature of the offense. The record also shows the case number, the issuing court, and the name of the judge who signed it. If bail was set, the amount appears on the document. Physical descriptions and last known addresses may also be included in the full record.
San Juan County bench warrants are different from search warrants and arrest warrants. A bench warrant comes from a judge's own decision, usually for a failure to appear. An arrest warrant is based on probable cause that a crime was committed. Search warrants allow officers to search a specific place. The Sheriff's Office handles all three types, but bench warrants make up a large share of the total in San Juan County.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County borders Grand County, Wayne County, Garfield County, and Kane County in Utah. If you are unsure which county issued a bench warrant, the statewide search will show you the issuing court for any active warrant.