Cole County Bench Warrants
Cole County bench warrants are issued by the circuit court in Jefferson City, Missouri's state capital. When someone misses a court date or breaks a court order, the judge issues a bench warrant for their arrest. The Cole County Sheriff's Office handles warrant enforcement in the county. Because Jefferson City is the state capital, Cole County also provides easy access to statewide criminal justice resources like the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Department of Corrections. This page covers how to find, check, and resolve bench warrants in Cole County.
Cole County Quick Facts
Cole County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff John Wheeler leads the Cole County Sheriff's Office from 350 East High Street in Jefferson City. The office handles all bench warrant enforcement in the county. Call 573-634-9160 for warrant inquiries. Fax goes to 573-634-2336. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours. Bring photo identification if you are asking about your own warrant status.
Cole County does not have a dedicated online warrant search tool on the sheriff's website. The best ways to check for bench warrants are calling the sheriff's office directly and searching Missouri Case.net. Because Jefferson City is the state capital, you also have easy access to state-level resources that can help with warrant searches.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol headquarters is in Cole County. The MSHP website at mshp.dps.missouri.gov has information about criminal history checks and warrant-related resources. Below is a screenshot of the Highway Patrol website.
| Office | Cole County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | John Wheeler |
| Address | 350 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
| Phone | 573-634-9160 |
| Fax | 573-634-2336 |
| Emergency | 911 |
Cole County Circuit Court
The Cole County Circuit Court is at 301 East High Street in Jefferson City. Call 573-634-9100 for questions about court cases and bench warrants. The circuit court handles criminal cases, civil matters, traffic violations, and family court proceedings. A bench warrant can come from any of these case types when someone fails to comply with a court order.
Search Cole County court records on Missouri Case.net. This free online tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Docket entries show when bench warrants were issued, served, or recalled. The screenshot below shows Case.net, which covers Cole County and all other Missouri courts.
Because Jefferson City is the state capital, the Cole County courthouse is near many other state government buildings. The Missouri Department of Corrections and the State Highway Patrol CJIS Division are both located in Jefferson City, making it convenient to access statewide criminal records.
Bench Warrants in Cole County
Bench warrants from Cole County work the same as in every other Missouri county. The judge issues the warrant when someone does not appear for court or violates a court-ordered condition. Deputies and police officers can arrest the person at any time once the warrant is active. Missouri bench warrants do not expire. A Cole County warrant from years past is just as valid as one issued this week.
Common reasons for bench warrants in Cole County include failure to appear for a hearing, not paying court-ordered fines or restitution, breaking probation terms, and not completing court-ordered community service or programs. The warrant goes into both local and statewide databases. Any law enforcement officer in Missouri can serve it.
Because Cole County is home to Jefferson City, there is a large state employee population and significant traffic through the area. A bench warrant in Cole County can come up during interactions with any state-level law enforcement agency housed in the capital city.
Resolving Cole County Warrants
Start by looking up your case on Case.net or calling the circuit court at 573-634-9100. Get the case number and find out what the warrant is for. A lawyer can file a motion to recall the bench warrant and request a new court date. For simple matters like unpaid fines, you may be able to pay the balance and clear the warrant.
You can turn yourself in at the Cole County Sheriff's Office at 350 East High Street. Call 573-634-9160 ahead of time to ask about the process. Judges tend to view voluntary surrender more favorably than having deputies bring you in. This can affect bail or bond decisions.
- Check your case on Case.net or call the court
- Contact a lawyer about filing a recall motion
- Pay outstanding fines for minor cases
- Turn yourself in at the sheriff's office
- Appear before the judge on your new court date
Note: Jefferson City has its own municipal court for city ordinance violations. Municipal bench warrants must be resolved through the city court, not the Cole County circuit court.
State Resources in Cole County
Cole County has a unique advantage because of its location in the state capital. The Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS Division is at P.O. Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102-9500. Call 573-526-6153 for criminal history information. MACHS name-based searches cost $14 and fingerprint-based searches cost $20.
The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search is free and shows people under state supervision. The Missouri Department of Corrections headquarters is located right in Jefferson City. VINELink tracks inmate custody status at the Cole County jail and throughout Missouri. The DPS Crime Victim Services Unit provides resources for crime victims in Cole County and across the state.
Nearby Counties
Cole County is in central Missouri. These neighboring counties each have their own court systems for bench warrant matters.