Access Cedar County Bench Warrants

Cedar County bench warrants are issued by judges in the 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Stockton when a person misses court or breaks a court-ordered agreement. Sheriff James McCrary and his deputies enforce these warrants across the county. Cedar County offers an online inmate roster through Jail Tracker, and you can also search the Missouri Case.net system for bench warrant records. This page covers how to check for bench warrants in Cedar County and what it takes to resolve them.

Cedar County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff James "Jimbob" McCrary runs the Cedar County Sheriff's Office from 202 South High Street in Stockton. The office is open for administrative business Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can call 417-276-5133 for warrant inquiries. The jail extension is 251 at the same number.

One notable detail about Cedar County is that there is no charge for warrant service. Deputies sign off on warrants at no cost, which is different from some other Missouri counties that charge fees for criminal process service. Criminal summons cost $35 plus mileage, and subpoenas cost $25 plus mileage, but the warrants themselves carry no fee.

The Cedar County Jail at 202 South High Street has an online inmate roster available through Jail Tracker. The roster shows full names, charges, booking information, bond details, and mugshots. If someone was recently arrested on a bench warrant in Cedar County, they may appear on this roster.

The Cedar County Government website at cedarcountymo.gov provides general county information and office contacts. Below is a screenshot of the site.

Cedar County Circuit Court

The 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Cedar County is at the Cedar County Courthouse, 113 South Street in Stockton. Circuit Clerk Sarah Turner manages the office. You can reach her at 417-276-6700 Extension 234 or email sarah.turner@courts.mo.gov. The court office is open 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

Deputy clerks Stacie Spurgeon, Niki Wood, and Marla Gettys assist with court records. Presiding Judge James R. Bickel handles bench warrant matters in this circuit. Cedar County has used electronic filing since July 2014, which means newer court documents and warrant records are filed digitally.

Search Cedar County court records on Missouri Case.net. This free tool shows all case activity, including docket entries noting bench warrants. Enter the person's name or case number to find relevant records. Case.net covers all Missouri courts and is available around the clock.

Bench Warrants in Cedar County

When a judge in Cedar County issues a bench warrant, it goes into the law enforcement system right away. Deputies and other officers can serve it at any time. There is no waiting period and no expiration date. The warrant stays active until the person is brought before the court or the judge recalls it.

Missing a court date is the most common reason for bench warrants here. But judges also issue them for not paying fines, breaking probation rules, and not finishing court-ordered programs. The judge does not need to give you advance warning. If you were told to be in court on a specific date and did not show up, the warrant can be issued that same day.

The prosecuting attorney for Cedar County is Ty Gaither. His office is at 113 South Street in Stockton. Call 417-276-6700 Extension 235 for questions about criminal bench warrants. The victim advocate, Jessica Nelson, is at Extension 267 and helps people affected by criminal cases in the county.

Clearing a Cedar County Warrant

To resolve a bench warrant in Cedar County, check your case first. Call the circuit clerk at 417-276-6700 Ext. 234 or look it up on Case.net. A lawyer can then file a motion to recall the warrant and set a new hearing date. For unpaid fines in minor cases, you may be able to pay the balance and clear the warrant.

Turning yourself in at the Cedar County Sheriff's Office is also an option. Call 417-276-5133 ahead of time to ask about the process and what to bring. Voluntary surrender is viewed positively by most judges and may help when it comes to setting bond or conditions of release.

• Check your case on Case.net or call the circuit clerk
• Talk to a lawyer about a motion to recall
• Pay outstanding fines for minor matters
• Turn yourself in at the sheriff's office
• Appear before the judge on your new court date

Note: Cedar County warrant service is free, so there is no fee charged when a bench warrant is executed.

Missouri Warrant Search Tools

Beyond Cedar County, statewide tools can help with warrant searches. The Missouri State Highway Patrol provides criminal background checks through MACHS for $14 per name search. The DOC offender search is free and shows people under state supervision. VINELink tracks custody status at the Cedar County Jail and across Missouri.

Cedar County Record Fees

Cedar County has published specific fees for criminal process service. Criminal summons cost $25 plus a $10 fee for a total of $35, plus mileage at the current IRS rate of $0.56 per mile. Criminal subpoenas cost $15 plus $10 for a total of $25, plus mileage. Warrants carry no charge in Cedar County, which means the sheriff's office serves bench warrants at no cost to the requesting party. This is a notable feature because some Missouri counties do charge for warrant service.

For public records copies, standard Missouri Sunshine Law fees apply. Contact the circuit clerk at 417-276-6700 Ext. 234 or the county clerk at Extension 221 for specific pricing. The recorder of deeds, Melissa Heskett, handles property-related records at Extensions 246 and 247.

Nearby Counties

Cedar County is in southwestern Missouri. These neighboring counties each have their own circuit court and sheriff's office for bench warrant matters.