Thank you for visiting our page. We strive to give you the best help for your Camden County NJ Warrant Search needs. Our aim is to offer clear facts and direct ways to check for warrants in this area. We hope this guide makes your search much less hard.
If you need to begin your Camden County NJ Warrant Search right now, a helpful place to start is https://camdencountyjails.org/camden-county-nj-warrant-search/. This site offers tools and links that can aid your search right away. Using official or linked county resources is often the surest way to get current facts. Check there if you want quick access before reading more details below. It provides a path to look into warrant status now.
Finding out if there is a warrant in Camden County takes some steps. There are official ways to check. You do not need to guess. Knowing the right places to look helps a lot.
Contact Local Police: You can call your local police department in Camden County. Ask them if they can check for warrants in your name. Be ready to give your full name and date of birth. Some towns may help you over the phone.
Camden County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office plays a big role in warrants. They have units that handle warrant information. You can call their main line or specific bureaus.
Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI): This bureau holds a large database of criminal files. They enter many types of warrants. They can check for outstanding warrants. Call them at (856) 225-7661 for some information. Law enforcement uses their systems all day, every day. Public access may have set hours.
Special Investigations Bureau (Fugitive Unit): This unit deals with people wanted on warrants. They track fugitives. They have info on active criminal and domestic warrants. You can give tips here at (856) 225-5283 or [email address removed]. Do not try to catch anyone yourself.
New Jersey Judiciary Website: The NJ Courts site has tools.
Municipal Court Case Search (MCCS): Look up traffic tickets or town complaints online. You need a ticket number, complaint number, driver's license, or name. Find it at the NJ Courts portal. This can show failures to appear that led to bench warrants.
Superior Court Records: For more serious crime records, check the main NJ Courts site. Use the 'Find a Case' section. You might find info on cases that led to arrest warrants.
To search well, you need key facts. Have this ready when you ask:
Full Name: Use the complete legal name.
Date of Birth: This helps tell people apart.
Address: The last known address might help.
Social Security Number (SSN): If known, this can help too. But it is often not needed for a first check.
Not all warrants are the same. They are issued for different reasons by a judge. Knowing the type helps you know what it means. New Jersey law outlines how and why warrants are issued.
An arrest warrant allows police to arrest you. A judge issues it based on probable cause. This means police showed good reason to think a crime was done. These are often for more serious crimes. If police have an arrest warrant, they can arrest you at home, work, or in public. The warrant is based on a complaint or indictment filed with the court. Police must show facts to the judge to get one. It must list the person and the crime.
A bench warrant comes straight from a judge (the "bench"). It is usually for not following a court order. The most common reason is Failure to Appear (FTA). This means you missed a court date you had to attend. It can also be for not paying fines or child support. Or for violating terms of probation or bail. While police may not actively hunt for you on a bench warrant like an arrest warrant, it still means you can be arrested. If you are stopped for any reason, like a traffic stop, the bench warrant will show up. The police must then arrest you. Ignoring a bench warrant is a bad idea. It can lead to more problems. A lawyer might help clear it without an arrest. You can learn more about bench warrants on the NJ Courts Glossary.
A bench warrant might seem less scary than an arrest warrant. But it still allows police to take you into custody at any time. If you miss a court date for a traffic ticket or a minor offense in a municipal court, the judge can issue a bench warrant. If you are ordered to pay child support and fail to do so, a judge in the Family Division might issue a bench warrant. If you are on probation and miss a meeting with your officer or fail a drug test, the judge supervising your probation could issue a bench warrant. The police might not come to your house the next day. But the warrant stays active. It will appear if your name is run through police systems. This could happen during a traffic stop, at the airport, or even when applying for certain jobs or benefits. An outstanding bench warrant can lead to immediate arrest and being held in jail until you see the judge, which could be up to 72 hours. It is best to deal with it fast. Contacting the court or an attorney is wise. They may arrange for you to appear without being arrested first. Resolving the original issue, like rescheduling the court date or paying the fine, is key.
A search warrant lets police search a specific place. This could be your home, car, or office. They must show a judge probable cause. They must believe evidence of a crime is in that place. The warrant must be very specific. It must list the exact place to be searched. It must list the items or evidence they expect to find. Police cannot search beyond what the warrant allows. Getting a search warrant has strict rules under the law.
Several county and state offices handle warrants in Camden County. Knowing who does what helps you find information.
The Sheriff's Office is central to warrant processes. They serve warrants and manage related records.
Location: 520 Market St, Camden, NJ 08102 (This is the Courthouse address where some Sheriff functions are located).
Main Phone: (856) 225-5470
Key Units:
Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI): This unit is vital. It runs 24/7 for law enforcement needs. They keep a huge database of criminal files for adults and youth. This includes photos, prints, and addresses. They enter thousands of warrants each year. This includes probation and domestic relation warrants. They use systems like the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), state police systems, and court databases (Promis Gavel). They check inmates for warrants before release from jail. They provide warrant info checks for police departments in the county. They also help with background checks and photo lineups. For public inquiries about certain records like accident reports, contact BCI at (856) 225-7661. For specific reports, contact Officer S. Beach at (856) 850-5909 (Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 2 PM) or [email address removed].
Special Investigations Bureau (Fugitive Unit): This unit focuses on finding people with active warrants. They handle both criminal bench warrants and domestic relations warrants. They track and arrest fugitives. They also handle extraditions. Camden County has thousands of active warrants they manage. If you have information on a fugitive's location, you can call them at (856) 225-5283 or email [email address removed]. They state all tips are kept confidential. Never try to apprehend someone yourself. Their work helps ensure people answer for charges or court orders.
The Prosecutor's Office handles the legal side of criminal cases. They work with police to investigate crimes. They may request arrest warrants based on investigations. They prosecute cases in Superior Court.
Address: 200 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey 08103
Phone: (856) 225-8400
Records Request Email: [email address removed]
Hours: Likely standard business hours (e.g., 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri). Call to confirm.
Functions: Reviews criminal complaints, presents cases to grand juries, prosecutes felony cases. They manage records for cases they handle. If you need records from a case handled by them (like a victim or defendant needing discovery), you must use their specific Records Management Request Form. They cannot provide records for cases handled only in municipal court.
Judges issue all types of warrants. The courts manage the cases linked to these warrants.
Camden Vicinage (Superior Court): Handles serious criminal cases, family matters (like child support warrants), and civil cases.
Address: 101 South 5th Street, Camden, NJ 08103
Phone: 856-650-9100
Website: Camden Vicinage Page on NJ Courts
Municipal Courts: Handle traffic offenses, town ordinance violations, and minor crimes. They issue many bench warrants for failure to appear. Find your case using the Municipal Court Case Search (MCCS) on the NJ Courts website.
Having a warrant out for you is serious. It can affect many parts of your life. It does not go away on its own. Taking action is important.
Ignoring a warrant can lead to big problems. These problems can grow over time. It is best to face the issue head-on.
Arrest: Police can arrest you anywhere, anytime. This could be during a traffic stop. It could be at your job or home. An arrest is often public and can be quite bad.
Jail Time: You may be held in jail until you see a judge. This could be days.
License Suspension: An outstanding warrant, especially for traffic matters or failure to appear, can lead to your driver's license being suspended by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.
Background Checks: Warrants often show up on background checks. This can stop you from getting a job. It can affect renting a home. It can impact loan applications.
Added Charges: If you fail to appear in court, you might face new charges. These could include "Bail Jumping" under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-7. These charges bring more fines and possible jail time. Penalties depend on the original charge's level. It can be a third or fourth-degree crime itself.
Impact on Cases: A warrant hurts your standing in court. A judge may see you as unreliable. This can affect bail decisions. It can impact sentencing if you are found guilty later. It shows disrespect for the court process.
The effects of a warrant can ripple through your life. You might be denied entry to some places or programs. It can make travel hard, especially air travel. Your car could be impounded if you are arrested during a stop. Fines and court costs can add up quickly. The stress of looking over your shoulder is large. It affects mental health and family life. If the warrant is for child support, it can impact your relationship with your kids and lead to large debts. Dealing with the warrant, even if scary, is usually better than letting these consequences pile up. Facing it gives you a chance to fix the root problem and move on. A lawyer can guide you through this process and protect your rights.
If you think there might be a warrant for you:
Confirm: Use the methods above to check for sure. Call the Sheriff or use the NJ Courts online tools. Don't rely on rumors.
Seek Legal Counsel: This is very important. Talk to a criminal defense lawyer right away. They can confirm the warrant. They can explain why it was issued. They can advise you on the best steps. They know the system in Camden County.
Discuss Turning Yourself In: Talk with your lawyer about surrendering. Sometimes, arranging surrender with a lawyer present makes things smoother. It shows you are taking it seriously. Your lawyer can plan the best way to handle this. Do not just walk into a police station without talking to a lawyer first.
If police confront you with a warrant:
Stay Calm: Cooperate physically. Do not resist arrest.
Right to Remain Silent: You do not have to answer questions about the alleged crime. You can say you wish to remain silent.
Right to an Attorney: Clearly state you want a lawyer. Police must stop questioning you once you ask for one. Do not talk more until your lawyer is there.
Use official sources for the most accurate information.
New Jersey Judiciary: https://www.njcourts.gov/ - Find court information, case search tools (including MCCS), forms, and location details for Camden County courts.
New Jersey State Police: https://www.nj.gov/njsp/ - Provides information on state laws, criminal history checks (CHRI), and has resources like the Sex Offender Registry.
New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.): https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=Publish:10.1048/Enu - Access the official text of New Jersey laws, including those related to warrants, arrests, and court procedures (like Title 2C - Code of Criminal Justice).
Camden County Official Website: https://www.camdencounty.com/ - Links to county services including the Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor's Office pages.
Camden County Sheriff's Office: https://www.camdencounty.com/service/sheriffs-office/ - Direct link to Sheriff's services, including BCI and Special Investigations details.
Camden County Prosecutor's Office: https://www.camdencounty.com/service/prosecutors-office/ - Information about the office and contact details.