You think there might be a warrant out for your arrest. Maybe you missed a court date. Maybe charges were filed, and you never knew about it. Maybe a cop mentioned it during a traffic stop.
You need to know for sure. Because if there’s a warrant for your arrest in Maricopa County, every interaction with police puts you at risk of being arrested on the spot.
Check the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Search
The fastest way to check for an active warrant is through the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office warrant search tool.
You’ll need:
- Your full legal name (first, middle, last)
- Your date of birth
The system searches active warrants issued by Maricopa County courts. If a warrant appears, it will show:
- The case number
- The charge
- The court that issued the warrant
- The warrant type (bench warrant, arrest warrant, etc.)
- The bond amount (if set)
This database updates regularly, but it’s not instant. Warrants issued within the past 24 to 48 hours may not appear yet.
What If You Have a Common Name?
If your name is John Smith or Maria Garcia, the search may return multiple results.
Cross-check:
- Date of birth
- Middle name or initial
- Last known address
Make sure the warrant is actually for you before taking any action. Warrants issued for someone with a similar name are more common than you’d think.
Check Arizona’s Statewide Court Database
Maricopa County’s system only shows warrants issued within that county. If you’ve lived in other parts of Arizona or had legal issues elsewhere, check the statewide system.
Arizona’s Public Access to Court Information allows you to search court cases by name. While it doesn’t always show active warrants directly, it will show:
- Open criminal cases
- Missed court dates
- Bench warrants issued for failure to appear
This search covers all Arizona counties, not just Maricopa.
Call the Court Directly
If you know which court issued the warrant (Justice Court, Superior Court, Municipal Court), you can call the clerk’s office directly and ask.
You’ll need to provide:
- Your full legal name
- Your date of birth
- The case number (if you have it)
What Are the Different Types of Warrants?
Not all warrants are the same. The type of warrant determines how serious the situation is.
Bench Warrants
A bench warrant is issued when you fail to appear in court for a scheduled hearing. Common reasons include:
- Missing a traffic court date
- Skipping a criminal court hearing
- Failing to comply with probation terms
Bench warrants don’t expire. They stay active until you’re arrested or you voluntarily appear in court.
Arrest Warrants
An arrest warrant is issued when a judge finds probable cause that you committed a crime. This typically happens after:
- A police investigation
- A grand jury indictment
- A prosecutor filing charges
Arrest warrants authorize police to take you into custody immediately.
Failure to Appear Warrants
This is a specific type of bench warrant issued when you don’t show up to court after being released on bail or your own recognizance.
Failure to appear can result in additional criminal charges under ARS § 13-2507 (failure to appear in the first degree) or ARS § 13-2506 (failure to appear in the second degree), depending on the original charge.
Probation Violation Warrants
If you’re on probation and violate the terms (missed check-in, failed drug test, new arrest), the court can issue a probation violation warrant.
These warrants often come with no bond, meaning you’ll stay in jail until a hearing.
Can You Be Arrested on an Old Warrant?
Yes. Warrants don’t expire. A warrant from 5, 10, or even 20 years ago is still valid.
Police can arrest you on an old warrant during:
- Traffic stops
- Routine police contact
- Background checks for employment
- TSA screenings at airports
- Border crossings
If you have an old warrant, it will eventually catch up to you. The question is when and under what circumstances.
What Happens If You’re Arrested on a Warrant?
If police arrest you on an active warrant, you’ll be booked into jail. What happens next depends on the warrant type and whether bail was set.
If Bail Was Already Set:
You (or someone on your behalf) can post bail immediately. You’ll be released once bail is processed, usually within 4 to 12 hours.
If No Bail Was Set:
You’ll remain in custody until your initial appearance, which must occur within 24 hours (or the next business day). The judge will set bail at that hearing.
If It’s a No-Bail Warrant:
Some warrants (probation violations, serious felonies, failure to appear on a felony) are issued with no bail. You’ll stay in custody until a hearing, which could take days or weeks.
Should You Turn Yourself In?
If you discover an active warrant, turning yourself in is almost always better than waiting to be arrested.
Voluntary surrender gives you control over:
- Timing (go when you have childcare arranged, time off work, etc.)
- Legal representation (bring an attorney with you)
- Bail arrangements (arrange bail in advance)
- Perception (judges view voluntary surrender more favorably than forced arrest)
How to Turn Yourself In on a Warrant
Before you turn yourself in, hire a criminal defense attorney. They can:
- Verify the warrant is real
- Contact the court or prosecutor to negotiate terms
- Arrange for you to surrender at a specific time
- Have bail ready, so you’re released quickly
- Attend your initial appearance and argue fora lower bail
Once you have an attorney, the process typically works like this:
- Attorney confirms the warrant and reviews the case
- Attorney contacts the court to schedule a voluntary surrender
- You appear at the jail or courthouse at the scheduled time
- You’re booked and processed
- Bail is posted (if already set), or you wait forthe initial appearance
- You’re released
The entire process can take 4 to 12 hours if bail is already set.
Can an Attorney Quash the Warrant Without You Being Arrested?
Sometimes, yes.
In certain situations, a criminal defense attorney can file a motion to quash (cancel) the warrant without you being taken into custody.
This typically works for:
- Bench warrants for missed court dates (if you had a valid reason for missing court)
- Old warrants where charges are weak or witnesses are unavailable
- Warrants issued in error
If the motion is successful, the warrant is recalled and you’re ordered to appear in court voluntarily. You avoid arrest entirely.
This doesn’t work for all warrants. Serious felony arrest warrants or probation violation warrants are rarely quashed without surrender.
What If the Warrant Is From Another State?
If you have a warrant from another state and you’re in Arizona, that state can request extradition.
Whether Arizona will extradite you depends on:
- The severity of the charges
- The distance to the other state
- Whether the other state is willing to pay the extradition costs
Misdemeanor warrants from faraway states are often not extradited. Felony warrants usually are.
Even if Arizona won’t extradite you, the warrant still exists. If you travel back to that state or through it, you can be arrested.
Can a Warrant Affect Your Job or Professional License?
Yes. Many employers run background checks that reveal active warrants. If you hold a professional license (law, medicine, real estate, finance), an active warrant can trigger:
- License suspension or revocation
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Loss of employment
Addressing the warrant quickly minimizes these risks.
Don’t Wait for Police to Find You
If you have an active warrant in Maricopa County, it’s only a matter of time before you’re arrested. The smarter move is to handle the warrant on your terms. Hire an attorney, turn yourself in voluntarily, and resolve the issue before it disrupts your life at the worst possible moment.
At Matthew Lopez Law, we help clients with active warrants every week. We verify the warrant, negotiate with the court, arrange voluntary surrender, and fight to get bail set at a reasonable amount. We make sure the process is as quick and painless as possible.
Contact us right now for a free consultation. If you have a warrant, waiting only makes it worse. Let’s handle it today.