Franklin County Bench Warrants

Franklin County bench warrants are issued by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in Union when a person does not appear for a court hearing or violates a court order. As one of Missouri's more populous counties, Franklin County processes a large volume of warrant cases each year. You can search for bench warrants in Franklin County by calling the Sheriff's Office at (636) 583-2560, visiting the courthouse in Union, or using the state's Case.net system to look up court records online. This page covers how to check, understand, and deal with bench warrants in Franklin County.

Franklin County Sheriff Warrant Search

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is the main agency that serves bench warrants in the county. Sheriff Steven Pelton leads the department from their location at #1 Bruns Drive in Union. The phone number is (636) 583-2560. Call during business hours to ask about active bench warrants. Give the full name and date of birth of the person you are checking on. The staff will run a search and tell you if a warrant is on file.

Franklin County is one of the larger counties in the St. Louis metro area, so it sees more warrant activity than many rural counties. The sheriff's office handles a steady stream of bench warrant inquiries. Walk-in requests are accepted at the front desk. You can also call the main line and ask to speak with someone in the warrant division. Bench warrant records are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, so any person can ask about them without giving a reason.

The Franklin County Adult Detention Facility holds inmates who have been arrested on active warrants. If someone with a Franklin County bench warrant is picked up by any law enforcement agency, they can be transported to this facility. You can contact the sheriff's office to check on an inmate's status.

Franklin County Court Warrant Records

The Franklin County Circuit Court is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit and handles all bench warrant cases in the county. When a judge signs a bench warrant, the clerk enters the warrant into the case file with the date, the charge, and the bond amount. You can visit the courthouse in Union during business hours to request information about a warrant or case. The circuit clerk's office keeps all court records on file and can provide certified copies for a fee.

To search Franklin County court records online, use Missouri Case.net. This is Missouri's free public court records system. You can search by litigant name, case number, or filing date. When you pull up a case, look under the docket entries section for bench warrant information. The system shows when the warrant was prepared, when it was issued, the warrant ID number, and bond details. Case.net is the most convenient way to check for Franklin County bench warrants without making a phone call or driving to Union.

Note: Case.net may not immediately reflect newly issued warrants in Franklin County. Always confirm with the court or sheriff for the most current status.

Bench Warrants in Franklin County

A bench warrant in Franklin County means a judge has ordered law enforcement to bring you to court. These warrants come from the judge's bench, which is why they are called bench warrants. The most common reason one gets issued is failure to appear at a scheduled court hearing. If you had a date in the Franklin County courthouse and did not show up, chances are a bench warrant was signed that day. Other triggers include not paying court-ordered fines, violating probation conditions, failing to complete community service, or ignoring a subpoena.

Franklin County bench warrants do not expire. Missouri law keeps them active until the person is arrested, surrenders to law enforcement, or gets the warrant recalled by the judge. The warrant goes into the statewide database maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Every law enforcement officer in Missouri can see it when they run a name check. That includes police in the St. Louis area, Kansas City, Springfield, and everywhere in between. A bench warrant from Franklin County can lead to an arrest anywhere in the state.

Clearing Franklin County Bench Warrants

If you have a bench warrant in Franklin County, you need to act on it. The longer you wait, the more risk you carry. Here is how to get started.

Steps to resolve a Franklin County bench warrant:

• Call the circuit clerk in Union to get the case number and bond amount
• Consult with a lawyer about filing a motion to recall the warrant
• Turn yourself in at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at #1 Bruns Drive
• Post bond to secure your release until the next court date
• Attend every future hearing and follow all court orders

Many people with bench warrants in Franklin County are able to resolve them quickly. If the underlying charge is minor and the warrant was issued for a missed court date, the judge often sets a new hearing and releases you on bond. Getting an attorney involved can speed things up. A lawyer can sometimes get the warrant recalled without you having to go through booking at all. The key is to take action. Franklin County bench warrants do not go away on their own.

Missouri Warrant Search Resources

These state-level tools help you search for warrants across Missouri, including Franklin County. Case.net covers court records from all 114 counties. VINELink tracks inmates and provides custody status alerts. The Missouri DOC offender search shows people serving time in state prison. The Highway Patrol CJIS division at (573) 526-6153 can run background checks that include warrant information from across the state.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County sits west of St. Louis County along the Interstate 44 corridor. Check these neighboring counties if you may have warrants in multiple jurisdictions.