Montgomery County Warrant Search

Warrants are documents permitting law enforcement officers to carry out actions that would otherwise violate a person's rights, such as a search, seizure of property, or an arrest. A warrant search in Montgomery County is the process of gathering information on existing warrants, whether in person or online. These searches are necessary for background checks, getting information for legal proceedings, employment verification, or when an individual is concerned about their safety. Depending on the type of warrant required, there can be various agencies from which to get warrant information, so conducting a warrant search in Tennessee typically begins with identifying the agency that is the record custodian of the warrant.

In Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the local courthouse are valuable resources for finding warrants issued locally. Law enforcement agencies may be queried to find active warrants and other Montgomery County arrest records, as they are primarily responsible for maintaining peace in the county.

Are Warrants Public Records?

Yes. Per the Tennessee Public Records Act, warrants are public documents accessible through public record databases, law enforcement agencies, and other government agencies mandated to provide public records. There are some limitations to accessing the information on warrants to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and the privacy and safety of parties involved in a case. Warrants from juvenile cases, ongoing cases, and cases that the court has restricted are not publicly available. This limitation is governed by Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-504, which limits the public right to access due to confidentiality, and Tenn. S. Ct. R. 34, which limits the public right of access for ongoing investigations.

Types of Warrants in Montgomery County

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Warrants stats for 2021-2022, there were 5732 active warrants in the county as of March 2022. The most common types of warrants in Montgomery County include arrest warrants, bench warrants, search warrants, fugitive warrants, administrative inspection warrants, and alias warrants.

Do I Have a Warrant in Montgomery County?

There are several methods for conducting a warrant search in Montgomery County. These options include the following:

• Montgomery County Sheriff's Office: Individuals can visit the warrants division of the sheriff's office in person or use their online warrant search tool
• Local police departments
• Third-party databases
• The Montgomery County Clerk's office

Active Warrant Search in Montgomery County

Depending on the type of warrant being inquired about, the resource or location for searching for active warrants can differ. The sheriff's office typically handles active arrest warrants, while the clerk's office handles things like bench warrants. The process for conducting a warrant search from these different resources generally includes the following steps:

• Approach the custodian's office and request a search of their active warrants. These agencies may also offer an online tool for conducting warrant searches through their websites.
• To facilitate a search, provide basic information about the case, such as the first and last name.

Individuals shouldn't conduct an in-person search for arrest warrants if they suspect they may have one. If a warrant is found in their name, they may be immediately arrested.

Arrest Warrant Search

An arrest warrant is a court- or magistrate-issued document that grants law enforcement officers the right to take a person into custody after probable cause is established that they broke the law. As Montgomery's local law enforcement agencies, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office or local police departments are the best places to conduct an arrest warrant search. The Sheriff's Office warrants division can be visited on-site or contacted by telephone to facilitate a search, and they also provide a warrant search tool through their website. First and last names are required to conduct a name-based search for warrant information using this tool. Individuals are advised to contact the warrant division to verify warrant information obtained online. The contact information of the sheriff's office is as follows:

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
120 Commerce St,
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-0611

Bench Warrant Lookup

A bench warrant is a warrant issued by a judge during an ongoing legal process against a person who fails to show up after being summoned to court. To conduct a bench warrant lookup, individuals would need to contact the court clerk's office or visit the local courthouse, as they oversee all court-related records. The contact information of the clerk's office is as follows:

Montgomery County Clerk's Office
350 Pageant Ln #502,
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5711

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) also offers a statewide database for finding bench warrants. Details of the individual being searched for, such as their name, date of birth, and known address, are required to facilitate a search for a bench warrant through any avenue.

Free Warrant Search

To conduct a free warrant search in Montgomery County, individuals can use any of the following resources:

• Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
• County Court Clerk's Office
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
• Third-Party Websites

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes, inquirers may check for warrants online in Montgomery County. In addition to the resources provided by government agencies, third-party websites also provide access to public records, including warrants. They offer a user-friendly interface and often allow individuals to search for warrants using the name, address, and date of birth of the person they are searching for. Online warrant searches are, however, limited, as some information may be excluded from the results of the search. This includes information on ongoing investigations, sealed records, and warrant information of cases that have not been updated by the agency, resulting in inaccuracy.

Do Warrants Expire?

No. In Montgomery County and other counties in Tennessee, warrants do not expire once issued. A warrant remains active indefinitely until it is executed or a court recalls it, meaning that it can be carried out whether or not the individual named on it is aware. Factors, such as new evidence or developments in the case, amnesty programs, or procedural errors, can result in the warrant being recalled or canceled, thereby affecting its execution.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

As warrants remain active until they are executed, it often means that for warrants like arrest warrants, the individual named on it can be arrested at any time or has to turn themselves in for the warrant to be satisfied. It is, however, possible to address warrants without turning oneself in in some cases. The process for doing this includes the following:

• Consult a qualified criminal defense attorney to verify the details of the warrant, provide personalized advice based on the specific situation, and represent the named individual in proceedings.
• The attorney files a motion to quash or recall the warrant if the situation allows it.
• The attorney negotiates with the prosecutor to resolve or dismiss the warrant and may be able to appear on behalf of the individual if a court hearing is needed.

An individual needs to find out if they have an active warrant and promptly address it to avoid a jail term, especially for arrest warrants.