Missouri Bench Warrants
Missouri bench warrants are issued by judges when a person fails to show up for a court date or does not follow a court order. These warrants stay on file and do not go away on their own. If you want to search for bench warrants in Missouri, you can use the state's Case.net system to look up court records across all 114 counties and the independent City of St. Louis. Each county sheriff's office also keeps its own list of active warrants that you can check by phone or in person. This page covers how to find, check, and deal with bench warrants anywhere in the state of Missouri.
Missouri Bench Warrants Quick Facts
What Are Missouri Bench Warrants
A bench warrant in Missouri is a court order that tells law enforcement to bring a person before a judge. The term "bench" comes from the judge's bench, since the judge issues the warrant directly. Courts issue these warrants for several reasons, but the most common one is failure to appear. If you miss a court date in Missouri, the judge can sign a bench warrant that same day. That warrant goes into the Missouri State Highway Patrol's database and stays there.
Bench warrants differ from arrest warrants in one key way. An arrest warrant comes from a law enforcement investigation where probable cause exists that a crime took place. A bench warrant, on the other hand, comes from a court proceeding. The person already has a case in the system. Under Missouri law, courts can also issue bench warrants when someone violates probation terms or fails to pay fines that a judge ordered. Municipal courts across Missouri issue bench warrants too, often for unpaid traffic tickets or missed hearings on city code violations. The Missouri Case.net system tracks these warrants through docket entries that show the date a warrant was issued and its current status.
Missouri bench warrants do not expire. They stay active until the person is caught, the person dies, or a judge recalls the warrant. This means a bench warrant from years ago can still lead to an arrest during a routine traffic stop.
How to Search for Bench Warrants in Missouri
Missouri gives the public several ways to search for bench warrants. The best place to start is Case.net, the state's free court records portal run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. Case.net covers all Circuit Courts in the state. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. When you pull up a case, look at the docket entries tab. That section shows warrant preparation dates, issuance dates, identification numbers, and bond details. It is free to use and works around the clock.
To search bench warrants on Case.net, follow these steps:
- Go to courts.mo.gov/casenet and select Litigant Name Search
- Type in the last name and first name of the person
- Pick the county or judicial circuit if you know it
- Click on the case number that comes up
- Check the Docket Entries tab for any bench warrant records
You can also call the county sheriff's office directly. Most sheriff offices in Missouri will tell you over the phone if someone has an active bench warrant. This is often the fastest way to get current information since Case.net can have short delays. Some counties, like Greene County, post their active warrant lists on their websites. Others, like Boone County, run searchable warrant databases online.
Note: If you have an active bench warrant and visit a law enforcement office in person, you may be arrested on the spot.
Types of Bench Warrants in Missouri
Missouri courts use several types of warrants. Each one serves a different purpose and comes from a different situation. Knowing which kind you might be dealing with helps you figure out what to do next.
The standard bench warrant gets issued when someone misses a court date. This is the most common type. The judge signs it the same day or shortly after the missed hearing. An alias warrant is similar but applies specifically when a defendant fails to appear before entering a plea. Capias warrants come up when someone ignores a judge's order in a civil case. A capias pro fine warrant is for people who have not paid court fines after a judgment has been entered. Municipal warrants get issued by city courts for things like missing two hearings on a traffic ticket or code violation.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains the central database where all these warrants are entered. When a law enforcement officer runs your name during a traffic stop or any other encounter, active bench warrants from any Missouri jurisdiction will show up in their system. That is why even a bench warrant from a small town can lead to an arrest in any part of the state.
Missouri Laws on Bench Warrants
Missouri's warrant system is governed by state statutes and court rules. Under RSMo 544.180, a warrant gives law enforcement the authority to arrest a person and bring them before the issuing court. The warrant must name the person or describe them well enough for identification. It must also state the offense or the reason for the court's order.
The Missouri Sunshine Law, found in Chapter 610 RSMo, makes most warrant records open to the public. You do not need to be the person named on the warrant to ask about it. You also do not need to give a reason for your request. However, some warrants may be sealed if they are part of an ongoing investigation or involve a juvenile. Each county's custodian of records handles public access under this law. Written requests are preferred but not always required.
Court fees play a role in bench warrants too. Many bench warrants stem from unpaid fines or court costs. Filing fees for criminal cases in Missouri range from about $35 to over $200 depending on the county and the type of charge. When someone cannot pay, they can file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis asking the judge to waive the fees based on financial hardship.
How to Resolve a Bench Warrant
If you find out you have a bench warrant in Missouri, you have options. The safest approach is to hire an attorney. A lawyer can contact the court on your behalf and sometimes get the warrant recalled without you having to turn yourself in. They can also arrange for a new court date so you can appear voluntarily. This avoids the risk of an unexpected arrest.
You can also call the court directly. Contact the clerk of the court that issued the bench warrant and ask about the process for getting a new hearing date. Some courts will set a new date over the phone. Others may need you to come in. In some Missouri cities, the municipal court offers a way to resolve bench warrants with reduced penalties. Columbia Municipal Court, for example, has offered warrant amnesty programs where people could clear warrants during a set time window. St. Louis County runs a Fresh Start Fridays program where people with bench warrants can call (314) 615-8760 to get new court dates without the risk of being arrested.
Posting bond is another way to deal with a bench warrant. You can post cash bond for the full amount or use a bonding agent who charges a fee to post a surety bond on your behalf. The bond amount is set by the court when the warrant is issued.
Note: Working with an attorney is the safest way to resolve a bench warrant in Missouri since you avoid the risk of arrest during the process.
Missouri Bench Warrant Search Resources
Missouri provides a number of tools for looking up bench warrants and related court records. The Missouri Case.net portal is the primary tool and it is free. Beyond Case.net, the state has other systems that can help with warrant searches and background checks.
The Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search lets you look up people who are under state supervision, including those on probation or parole. This system is free and open to the public. The VINELink system tracks inmates across the country and includes Missouri jails. You can sign up for alerts that tell you when an inmate's custody status changes. This can be useful if you need to know when someone with a bench warrant gets booked into a county jail.
For a more thorough background check, the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) through the Missouri State Highway Patrol offers name-based searches for $15 and fingerprint-based searches for $20. These checks cover the full state and show open records including convictions, pending charges, and recent arrests. The Missouri Department of Public Safety also runs victim services programs in every county that can help people affected by crime navigate the court system.
Browse Missouri Bench Warrants by County
Each county in Missouri has a sheriff's office that maintains active bench warrants and handles warrant service. Select a county below to find local contact information and warrant search resources for that area.
Bench Warrants in Major Missouri Cities
Major cities in Missouri have their own municipal courts that issue bench warrants for city ordinance violations and missed court dates. Select a city below to learn about bench warrant procedures in that area.