Find Bench Warrants in Washington County
Washington County bench warrants are issued by judges in the Fifth District Court and local justice courts across the county. The Washington County Sheriff, based in Hurricane, handles warrant service for the area. Washington County is one of the fastest growing parts of Utah, with St. George as its largest city. If you need to search for bench warrants in Washington County, you can use online state tools or contact the court directly. This page walks you through the ways to find, look up, and resolve bench warrants in Washington County, Utah.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement body for the county. It sits at 620 South 5300 West in Hurricane, Utah. Voters elect the sheriff to a four-year term. Deputies handle warrant service, patrol, and jail work across all of Washington County.
When a judge in Washington County issues a bench warrant, it goes to the sheriff for service. Deputies work to find and serve the person named on it. Local police in St. George, Hurricane, and other towns also assist with warrant service. If you want to ask about a bench warrant, call (435) 656-6500. Staff can tell you if a warrant is active and what your next steps should be.
The Washington County Sheriff also keeps a Most Wanted page on their news site. This list shows people with active warrants who have not been found. It is updated as new bench warrants and arrest warrants come in from Washington County courts.
The most wanted list is one quick way to see if a bench warrant has been made public in Washington County.
Washington County Bench Warrant Process
A bench warrant in Washington County starts with a missed court date. The judge checks the case file and sees that the person did not show up. A bench warrant is then signed. This gives law enforcement the right to pick up that person and bring them to court. The process is straightforward but carries real weight.
Other reasons trigger bench warrants in Washington County too. Unpaid court-ordered fines are common. Incomplete community service is another cause. Broken probation terms also lead to bench warrants. In each case, the court gives the order and the Washington County Sheriff carries it out. Every bench warrant stays active until the court recalls it or the person deals with it.
Note: A bench warrant from Washington County will show up in statewide databases and can lead to a stop anywhere in Utah.
How to Search Washington County Bench Warrants
You have several ways to search for bench warrants in Washington County. Online tools are the fastest. In-person visits give you the most detail.
The Utah Courts XChange system lets you search court records from across the state. You can look up a name or case number to find active bench warrants in Washington County. The basic search is free. Detailed records may cost a small fee. This tool covers both the Fifth District Court and the Washington County Justice Court.
The Washington County Records Portal is another place to start. This site handles public records requests for the county. You can use it to ask for warrant records or other court documents tied to Washington County.
You can also search for Washington County bench warrants through the BCI Warrant Portal run by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. This tool covers warrants from all Utah counties.
For an in-person search, go to the Washington County Justice Court at 87 North 200 East in St. George. Call (435) 634-5728 before your visit. The clerk can check your name for any active bench warrants in Washington County and walk you through the next steps.
Courts Issuing Bench Warrants in Washington County
Washington County has two main courts that issue bench warrants. The Fifth District Court handles felonies and serious crimes. The Washington County Justice Court handles smaller cases like traffic tickets and class B or C misdemeanors. Both courts are in St. George.
The Fifth District Court is at 205 North 200 East in St. George. This court deals with cases that carry heavier penalties. If you missed a hearing here, the bench warrant may come with bail set by the judge. You should get a lawyer before you try to clear a bench warrant from the District Court in Washington County.
The Justice Court at 87 North 200 East handles the bulk of bench warrants in Washington County. These are often tied to missed traffic hearings or unpaid fines. The process to clear one is usually more simple than at the District Court level. You may be able to call and ask for a new court date.
| District Court |
Fifth District Court 205 North 200 East St. George, UT 84770 |
|---|---|
| Justice Court |
Washington County Justice Court 87 North 200 East St. George, UT 84770 Phone: (435) 634-5728 |
| Sheriff |
Washington County Sheriff's Office 620 South 5300 West Hurricane, UT 84737 Phone: (435) 656-6500 |
Clearing a Bench Warrant in Washington County
The best way to clear a bench warrant in Washington County is to deal with it head on. Do not wait. The court will not forget about it, and the warrant will not go away on its own. Here are some common steps people take.
- Call the court that issued the bench warrant in Washington County
- Ask the clerk if you can schedule a new hearing date
- Hire a lawyer to go to court for you or with you
- Turn yourself in at the Washington County Sheriff's Office
- Pay any fines or fees that are part of the original case
- Show proof that you have done what the court asked, if that applies
In many cases, the judge will recall a bench warrant once you appear. This is especially true for bench warrants tied to minor offenses in Washington County. For more serious matters, the judge may set bail or add new conditions. A lawyer can help you know what to expect.
Washington County Warrant Records
Bench warrant records in Washington County are public under GRAMA, the Government Records Access and Management Act. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be the person named on the warrant. Some details tied to minors or sealed cases may not be available. But most bench warrant records in Washington County are open for review.
You can file a GRAMA request with the Washington County Sheriff or the court. The Utah GRAMA forms page has blank forms you can print and fill out. Send the form to the right office and they will respond within the time set by state law. Fees for copies may apply.
Note: The Washington County Records Portal also accepts electronic requests for public records, which can speed up the process.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes several cities and towns. Bench warrants for cases filed in Washington County courts apply to residents of these areas.
St. George is the county seat and the largest city in Washington County. Washington City is another growing community in the area. All bench warrants from Washington County courts are served across these cities.
Nearby Counties
Washington County sits in the southwest corner of Utah. If you are not sure which county your bench warrant came from, check the court name on any papers you received. You must resolve the warrant in the county where it was issued.