Warrant Search

If you live, work, or travel through Maricopa County and think there might be a warrant in your name, it’s natural to feel anxious and unsure what to do next. This guide walks you through how a Maricopa County AZ warrant search works, how to use official online tools, where to call for confirmation, and what steps to take if a warrant exists. You’ll also find information on self-surrender, probation-related warrants, common warrant scams, and key offices that handle these issues in Maricopa County.

Why a Maricopa County warrant search matters before trouble finds you

A warrant does not disappear on its own. Once a judge signs it, it usually remains active until the court formally resolves or cancels it. That means you could be stopped for a minor traffic violation and suddenly be taken into custody on a warrant you didn’t even know existed.

Doing a Maricopa County warrant search ahead of time helps you:

Confirm whether law enforcement or the courts show an active warrant connected to your name.

Understand which agency issued the warrant (the Sheriff, a police department, or a court).

Take steps to resolve the situation in a controlled way instead of waiting for a surprise arrest.

Avoid falling for scams where someone pretends to be law enforcement and demands money to “clear” a warrant.

In Maricopa County, warrant information is handled mainly by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. Each plays a different role, and using both correctly will give you the clearest picture.

Know the basics: how warrants are issued and tracked in Maricopa County

Before you start any warrant search, it helps to know what kind of warrant you might be dealing with and who controls it.

Bench warrants vs. arrest warrants

The Superior Court explains two key warrant categories:

Bench warrants

Typically issued when a defendant does not appear for a scheduled court hearing.

This “failure to appear” (often called an FTA) prompts the judicial officer to authorize law enforcement to arrest the individual listed.

Bench warrants can also be issued when a person on probation violates the conditions of that probation.

Arrest warrants

Often issued after a case is filed and law enforcement or prosecutors ask the court to authorize an arrest.

In practice, for many people, an arrest warrant may come to their attention only when they fail to appear, violate probation, or have contact with law enforcement.

In both cases, the core point is the same: a judge issues the warrant, and law enforcement (such as the Sheriff’s Office) is authorized to carry it out.

Who maintains warrant records in Maricopa County

Within the county, warrant information can involve several official entities:

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) – executes warrants, operates the jails, and provides an online name-based warrant lookup.

Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County (Criminal Department) – oversees many felony cases, issues warrants, and provides official guidance on how to respond to them.

Probation and other court units – handle warrants related to probation violations and supervise court orders.

A complete Maricopa County warrant search usually means using:

The Sheriff’s online warrant lookup tool.
The Superior Court’s warrant information and criminal case search tools.
Contact with the appropriate court or probation office if you discover a warrant.

Go online: use the Sheriff’s warrant search to look up a name

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office operates an official online tool that lets you search for warrants using a person’s name.

Accessing the online MCSO warrant lookup

To start, use the Sheriff’s official online warrant search tool provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office:

Visit the Sheriff’s online warrant search tool.

This page is designed to let you search by:

Last name and first name.

Agency (for example, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or other participating law enforcement agencies).

Sometimes city or ZIP code options, depending on what’s available in the interface at the time.

Because the tool connects to a broader law enforcement system, you may see warrants from many agencies. When your concern is specifically about Maricopa County, pay close attention to the agency listed in the results.

Tips for using the online warrant search effectively

When you use the warrant search tool:

Enter full legal name if possible. Use the name that appears on court documents, IDs, or citations. Nicknames can cause missed matches.

Check spelling carefully. A misspelled last name can hide a warrant from the results.

Review agency details. If you see an entry, confirm which agency issued or is holding the warrant (for example, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office versus another city’s police department).

If you find a possible match, treat the information seriously, but remember the tool is for information only. The Sheriff’s site notes that online tools and mapping functions can be subject to data entry or processing errors and should not be your only source of information when something important is at stake. When in doubt, follow up directly with the relevant court or department.

Use Superior Court warrant information when your case is in felony court

The Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County provides dedicated guidance for people who suspect they have a warrant stemming from a felony criminal case.

Where to find official court warrant guidance

For official information and instructions from the court itself, use the Superior Court’s warrant information page.

On that page, the court explains:

How to contact the Criminal Department to find out if you have a warrant issued by the Superior Court.

Types of warrants you might face, such as bench warrants and arrest warrants.

What to do if your warrant is related to a probation violation.

Why the court recommends getting legal representation as soon as you learn of a warrant.

The court emphasizes that an arrest warrant remains in effect until you are arrested or the issuing court takes action to quash or cancel it. Only the court that issued the warrant can resolve it. Neither the Sheriff’s Office nor another law enforcement agency can cancel a court-issued warrant on its own.

Contacting the court about your warrant

The Superior Court’s warrant information lays out clear guidance:

If your warrant was issued by a Superior Court judicial officer in Maricopa County, you are directed to contact the Criminal Department Information Desk for the phone number of the specific division that issued the warrant.

If your warrant relates to a Maricopa County probation violation, you are instructed to contact the Probation Violation court directly for additional information.

Remember that when you call, court staff cannot give you legal advice. Their role is to verify basic information about the warrant and connect you with the proper division or resources so you can take the next step—usually with the help of an attorney.

Search your criminal case record to confirm warrant status

If you know you have a criminal case in Maricopa County, you can often learn more about your situation by checking your court case record.

Using the Superior Court’s criminal case search

The Superior Court offers an online tool for looking up felony criminal cases. This can help you understand the status of your case and sometimes see entries related to warrants, hearings, and other actions.

You can reach this tool through the Maricopa County Superior Court criminal case search.

On that page, you can:

Search by name and date of birth.
Search by case number if you have it.
View case details such as upcoming hearings, status, and other docket entries.

While the case search is not a dedicated warrant search tool, it is a key part of a thorough Maricopa County warrant search because:

It confirms that you have an active criminal case in the Superior Court.

It may reflect that a warrant was issued due to a missed hearing or other issue.

It helps your attorney or you understand where the case stands and what the court is expecting from you next.

If you can’t find your case online but believe you have one, or you are unsure what you’re seeing in the docket, contacting the Criminal Department for clarification is a sensible next step.

Take action: what to do if a Maricopa County warrant shows up

Discovering that your name appears in a warrant search is stressful, but it is better to know and act than to be surprised during a routine traffic stop or at your workplace.

Get legal representation as soon as possible

The Superior Court repeatedly stresses that if you learn you have a warrant, it is always recommended that you seek legal representation right away. An attorney can:

Confirm the details of the warrant with the court.

Advise you on the safest way to address it, including whether to request a hearing or self-surrender.

File a motion to quash or resolve the warrant when appropriate.

Help negotiate your release conditions or other terms.

If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney, you may be entitled to a court-appointed lawyer. The county provides information about public defense services, which you can access through Maricopa County’s public defense services page.

Confirm which court or agency issued the warrant

Not all warrants in Maricopa County come from the same place. Your next steps depend on:

Whether the warrant is a Superior Court felony warrant, a probation violation warrant, or a warrant from another court.

Whether it is connected to a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office case or another law enforcement agency.

Use a combination of:

The Sheriff’s online warrant search.
The Superior Court’s warrant information page.
The criminal case search for Superior Court felonies.

If the warrant is from another state, the Superior Court’s guidance is clear: you must deal with the state and court that issued the warrant, and you could be extradited if you are picked up in Arizona on that out-of-state warrant.

Follow court instructions for responding to the warrant

Depending on what your attorney advises and what the issuing court requires, resolving a warrant could involve:

Appearing in court on a specific date set by the judge.

Self-surrendering at a designated time and location.

Addressing underlying issues such as unpaid fines, missed probation appointments, or other conditions.

Importantly, a warrant does not “time out.” Ignoring it only increases the risk of being arrested in a situation you cannot control.

Plan a safe self-surrender through the Sheriff’s Office

In some situations, especially when a sentence has already been imposed or when the court orders it, you may be told to self-surrender at a jail facility operated by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

When self-surrender is required

The Superior Court notes examples such as:

You have been ordered by the court to report to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to serve your sentence.

You have been assigned a Work Release sentence and need to coordinate with the Sheriff’s Office regarding when and how to report.

To prepare, you should follow the court’s instructions very closely and bring any paperwork the court provided.

For details about the Sheriff’s procedures and locations for self-surrender and related sentences, review the official Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office self-surrender information.

Why self-surrender is often safer than waiting for arrest

If you know about a warrant and simply hope you are not stopped or contacted by law enforcement, you risk:

Being arrested at home, work, or in front of family members.

Having less control over what happens to your property, your vehicle, or your children at that moment.

Facing a court that sees continued failure to appear or respond as disrespectful or irresponsible.

By contrast, a planned self-surrender (especially when coordinated through your attorney) shows the court that you are taking the matter seriously and may help in arguing for more favorable release conditions or sentencing terms, depending on your case.

Work with probation and court-appointed counsel on warrant issues

Some warrants in Maricopa County are tied directly to probation violations rather than new criminal charges.

Probation violation warrants

The Superior Court’s warrant information explains that:

If your warrant was issued because of a Maricopa County probation violation, you should contact the Probation Violation court for more information.

Your attorney may be able to file motions to address the violation, request hearings, or otherwise work with the court to resolve the warrant.

In addition to the specific probation violation court contact, the Adult Probation Department is a key player in supervising probationers, providing information, and implementing court orders related to probation.

Even if the situation feels overwhelming, staying in contact with probation and following instructions is one of the most important ways to avoid additional warrants or sanctions.

Finding and working with your court-appointed attorney

If you already have a criminal case in Superior Court and qualify for appointed counsel, the county provides a way to identify your lawyer through public defense resources. The public defense services page can help you determine which office represents you and how to get in touch.

Once you know there is a warrant:

Contact your court-appointed attorney as soon as possible.

Ask what steps they recommend to address the warrant.

Provide accurate, up-to-date contact information so the attorney and court can reach you about upcoming hearings.

If you do not know who your attorney is, the court’s criminal case search and Criminal Department can help you identify that information.

Spot and avoid warrant payment scams pretending to be law enforcement

Unfortunately, people who are worried about warrants are a prime target for scammers. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office specifically warns the public about impersonation scams involving fake warrants.

How the impersonation scam usually works

MCSO reports a common scam pattern:

You receive a phone call from someone who claims to be an employee of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

The caller tells you there is a warrant for your arrest, often tied to something like missing jury duty.

They insist that you can “quash” or get rid of the warrant only by paying money immediately.

The payment methods they demand may include:
Gift cards.
Wire transfers.
Cryptocurrency.
Providing cash, jewelry, gold, or other valuables to a courier who will come to you.

If you refuse, they threaten you with immediate arrest or additional penalties.

The Sheriff’s Office is blunt about this: THIS IS A SCAM.

No legitimate law enforcement or government agency will:

Call, email, or text you and demand immediate payment to resolve a warrant.
Insist that you pay in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other hard-to-trace methods.
Send a courier to pick up cash or valuables at your home or workplace.

How to protect yourself from warrant scams

To reduce your risk:

Hang up if someone calls demanding payment to clear a warrant.

Do not disclose personal or financial information to anyone claiming to be from law enforcement over an unsolicited call, email, or text.

Use official channels—like the Sheriff’s online warrant search, the Superior Court’s warrant information page, or published court phone numbers—to verify your status.

If you are unsure whether something is a scam, contact the relevant office using a number from an official site you find yourself, not a number the caller gives you.

For broader guidance on scams and frauds, the Sheriff’s Office provides educational material through its common frauds and scams information page.

Reach out to the Criminal Department when you can’t find answers online

Sometimes online searches and tools don’t give you everything you need. Names may be common, dates may be entered incorrectly, or you may simply not understand what you’re seeing.

In these situations, the Superior Court directs you to the Criminal Department for help with warrants and criminal case questions, including:

Confirming whether a Superior Court warrant exists.
Getting the contact details for the division that issued the warrant.
Understanding where you might need to appear and what type of case is involved.

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County also publishes central contact information for the courts and an information center to help route your questions. For department-specific contact details, you can use the court’s department contact information page.

Coordinate your warrant search with the Clerk of the Superior Court

Warrants often appear in connection with specific cases and filings. While the Sheriff executes warrants and the Superior Court issues them, the Clerk of the Superior Court maintains the official records for many related documents.

The Clerk’s official website offers information about:

Filing information for cases.
Access to case records and other court documents.
Practical details for people with ongoing court matters.

If your warrant stems from a case with pending filings or unresolved motions, checking the Clerk of the Superior Court website, along with the Superior Court’s resources, can help you and your attorney understand the procedural history of your situation.

Key warrant-related departments and offices in Maricopa County

Below is a list of official departments and offices that are directly involved in warrant searches, warrant information, or resolving warrants in Maricopa County. These are taken from official county and court resources.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
550 West Jackson, Phoenix, Arizona 85003, United States
Phone: (602) 876-1000

Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County – Central Court Building
201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Information Center Phone: (602) 506-3204

Superior Court – Criminal Department (Information Desk)
Phone: (602) 506-8575

Probation Violation Court (Maricopa County)
Phone: (602) 372-0427

Adult Probation Department – Maricopa County
Mailing Address: PO Box 3407, Phoenix, AZ 85030
Phone: (602) 372-5300

Maricopa County Warrant Search FAQs

How do I look up a possible warrant through the sheriff’s office website?

To check for a warrant through law enforcement, start with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office online lookup. From the sheriff’s site, use the “Look Up Warrant” option, which takes you to the name-based search tool where you enter first and last name and can narrow by agency. When you are focused on Maricopa County, make sure the agency is set to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office before reviewing any results. You can access this tool directly from the sheriff’s official “Look Up Warrant” page at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office site: Look Up Warrant.

What should I do if the online sheriff’s warrant search doesn’t show anything?

A clean result on the sheriff’s site doesn’t automatically mean there is no warrant connected to you. Records may be tied to a court case that you need to check separately. A common next step is to review your case history through the Superior Court’s criminal case search, which lets you look up felony criminal cases by name, date of birth, or case number. That tool is available under “Find a Maricopa County Superior Court Criminal Case” on the court’s site: Criminal Court Case Search.

How can I confirm details of a felony warrant with the Superior Court?

If you believe any warrant is tied to a felony case in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County, use the court’s official Warrant Information page. There, the Criminal Department explains how warrants are handled, how they can be quashed or resolved, and which court division you may need to work with. This page is the court’s central hub for warrant-related instructions and is the most direct place to start on the court side: Warrant Information | Maricopa County Superior Courts.

How do court records and the Clerk of the Superior Court fit into a warrant search?

Many warrants are tied to specific filings and docket entries. While the sheriff executes warrants and the Superior Court issues them, the Clerk of the Superior Court maintains the official case records and filings. When you are trying to understand how a warrant fits into your case history—hearings, prior orders, or pending motions—it can help to review information provided by the Clerk, including filing details and access to case records. You can reach those resources through the official Clerk of the Superior Court website.

Where can I get official guidance if I’m not sure how to move forward?

If you are confused by online results or unsure which division is handling your situation, the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County provides centralized information and department contacts. From the Department Contact Information page, you can locate the Criminal Department, Adult Probation, and other relevant offices that are directly involved in criminal cases and warrant issues, all in one place. This page is a useful starting point when you need authoritative directions on who to talk to next: Department Contact Information.