El Paso County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In El Paso County?
A search warrant in El Paso County is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specified location for evidence of a crime. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.01, search warrants must be based on probable cause, supported by an affidavit, and must particularly describe the place to be searched and the items to be seized.
Search warrants in El Paso County typically authorize:
- Entry into private property
- Seizure of specific evidence, contraband, or property
- Limited timeframes for execution (usually within three days of issuance)
- Specific locations that may be searched
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 9 of the Texas Constitution protect citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring that warrants be issued only upon probable cause. Law enforcement agencies in El Paso County must adhere to these constitutional protections when obtaining and executing search warrants.
Are Warrants Public Records In El Paso County?
Warrants in El Paso County are generally considered public records with certain limitations. Texas Government Code Chapter 552, commonly known as the Public Information Act, governs access to government records including warrants. The public status of warrants varies by type:
- Active arrest warrants are public records but access may be restricted while investigations are ongoing
- Executed search warrants typically become public after execution and return to the court
- Sealed warrants remain confidential until unsealed by court order
- Juvenile warrants are subject to confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code
Members of the public seeking warrant information may access certain records through the El Paso County Clerk's Office or the El Paso Municipal Courts system. However, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, law enforcement agencies may withhold information if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
El Paso County Clerk's Office 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79901 Phone: (915) 546-2071 El Paso County Clerk
How Do I Find Out if I Have a Warrant In El Paso County?
Individuals may determine if they have an outstanding warrant in El Paso County through several official channels. The El Paso Municipal Courts maintain records of city ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor offenses.
To check for outstanding warrants:
- Contact the El Paso Municipal Court directly by phone or in person
- Access the online warrant search portal maintained by the City of El Paso
- Contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division
- Consult with a licensed attorney who can perform a records search
El Paso Municipal Courts 810 E. Overland Ave. El Paso, TX 79901 Phone: (915) 212-0215 El Paso Municipal Courts
El Paso County Sheriff's Office 3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, TX 79938 Phone: (915) 546-2280 El Paso County Sheriff
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.26, individuals with outstanding warrants may be subject to arrest. Addressing warrants promptly through proper legal channels is advisable.
How To Check for Warrants in El Paso County for Free in 2025
El Paso County residents may verify warrant status without cost through several government resources. The following methods are available for free warrant checks:
- Visit the El Paso Municipal Courts website and use the public access portal
- Utilize the FullCourt Enterprise system for municipal court warrants
- Call the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division at (915) 546-2214
- Visit the El Paso County Courthouse in person during business hours
For traffic violations and municipal ordinance infractions, the payment methods page provides information about resolving citations that may have resulted in warrants.
Public computer terminals are available at the El Paso County Law Library for individuals without internet access. The library is located at:
El Paso County Law Library 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 704 El Paso, TX 79901 Phone: (915) 546-2240 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What Types of Warrants In El Paso County
El Paso County courts issue several categories of warrants under Texas law. Each type serves a specific legal purpose:
- Arrest Warrants - Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime
- Bench Warrants - Ordered by a judge when someone fails to appear for a scheduled court date
- Search Warrants - Authorize law enforcement to search specific locations for evidence
- Capias Warrants - Issued for failure to comply with court orders or probation violations
- Alias Warrants - Reissued warrants when the original expires without being executed
- Municipal Warrants - Typically for unpaid traffic citations or city ordinance violations
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrants Division responsible for executing various types of warrants. According to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.01, arrest warrants must be issued in the name of "The State of Texas" and command that the person named be arrested and brought before the proper magistrate.
What Warrants in El Paso County Contain
Warrants issued in El Paso County must contain specific information as required by Texas law. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 15.02 and 18.04, warrants typically include:
- The name of the person to be arrested or location to be searched
- The specific offense charged (for arrest warrants)
- Date and time of issuance
- The signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
- The court from which the warrant was issued
- A description of items to be seized (for search warrants)
- The county where the warrant is to be executed
Search warrants additionally require an affidavit establishing probable cause and must particularly describe the place to be searched and items to be seized. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires that warrants be executed within specific timeframes, typically three days for search warrants unless otherwise specified.
Who Issues Warrants In El Paso County
Warrants in El Paso County are issued by judicial authorities with proper jurisdiction. The following officials have authority to issue warrants:
- District Court Judges for felony offenses
- County Court Judges for misdemeanor cases
- Justices of the Peace for certain misdemeanors and preliminary matters
- Municipal Court Judges for violations of city ordinances
The 34th, 41st, 65th, 120th, 168th, 171st, 205th, 210th, 243rd, 327th, 346th, 383rd, 384th, 388th, 409th, and 448th District Courts serve El Paso County and have authority to issue warrants for felony offenses. County Courts at Law numbers 1 through 7 handle misdemeanor cases.
El Paso County Courthouse 500 E. San Antonio Ave. El Paso, TX 79901 Phone: (915) 546-2000 El Paso County Courts
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.03, magistrates may issue arrest warrants when a sworn complaint is filed charging a person with an offense.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In El Paso County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in El Paso County may utilize several official resources. The process for locating warrant information includes:
- Checking the El Paso Municipal Courts online system for city violations
- Searching the FullCourt Enterprise database for municipal warrants
- Contacting the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division at (915) 546-2214
- Conducting a criminal history search through the Texas Department of Public Safety
- Reviewing driver license eligibility status which may indicate outstanding warrants
For third-party warrant searches, individuals must provide proper identification and may be subject to fees. Attorneys may conduct searches on behalf of clients through professional access to court systems.
How To Check Federal Warrants In El Paso County
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants and are issued by federal courts. To check for federal warrants in El Paso County:
- Contact the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division
- Consult with a federal defense attorney who can access federal court records
- Contact the United States Marshals Service, which is responsible for executing federal warrants
Federal warrant information is not typically available through local or state databases. The federal court serving El Paso County is:
United States District Court, Western District of Texas, El Paso Division 525 Magoffin Ave. El Paso, TX 79901 Phone: (915) 534-6740 Western District of Texas
Pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, federal arrest warrants must be signed by a judge and contain the defendant's name and the offense charged.
How Long Do Warrants Last In El Paso County?
Warrants issued in El Paso County remain valid until they are executed or recalled by the court. Under Texas law:
- Arrest warrants do not expire and remain active until served
- Search warrants must typically be executed within three days of issuance per Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.07
- Municipal warrants for traffic violations and minor offenses remain active indefinitely
- Statute of limitations may affect prosecution but not the validity of the warrant itself
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office maintains records of unexecuted warrants and periodically conducts warrant roundups to address outstanding warrants. Individuals with long-standing warrants may face additional penalties for failure to appear or comply with court orders.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In El Paso County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in El Paso County varies based on circumstances. Under standard procedures:
- Regular search warrants typically require 1-3 business days for processing
- Emergency situations may allow for expedited warrants within hours
- Electronic warrants may be processed more quickly than traditional paper warrants
- Judges must review affidavits establishing probable cause before issuance
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.01(b) requires that a search warrant be supported by a sworn affidavit setting forth substantial facts establishing probable cause. The review process by a magistrate or judge constitutes the primary factor in the timeline for warrant issuance.
Search Warrant Records in El Paso County
Check El Paso Municipal Court records
Access the FullCourt Enterprise system
Review payment options for citations