Kent County Warrant Search

We are glad you came to this page. Our aim is to give you the best help for your Kent County MI Warrant Search. We work hard to share clear facts and point you to the right spots for the info you seek.

If you need to start a search right now, you can find tools and links at https://kentcountyjails.org/kent-county-mi-warrant-search/. This site gathers links and information to help you begin your Kent County MI Warrant Search quickly. It may save you time as you look for ways to check for warrants in the area. Go there now if you do not want to wait.

Official Kent County Warrant Search Resources

Finding out if there is a warrant takes care. You need to use the right tools. Check with the main county offices first. They hold the real records.

Kent County Sheriff's Office

The Kent County Sheriff plays a big role. They serve warrants issued by the courts. They may keep a list of active warrants. You can ask them for info. Their main office is a key place to check. Staff there may help with your search. They handle law work for the whole county.

• Address: 701 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

• Phone: (616) 632-6100 (This is the main line; ask for Records or Warrants)

• Hours: Office hours are usually Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Jail operations run 24/7, but records access has limits. Call first to check the best time for warrant questions.

The Sheriff's Office website might offer some tools. Look for links to "Warrant Check" or "Inmate Lookup". An inmate lookup might show if some one is held on a warrant. Not all warrants are online. Some need a direct check. Call them to see if they can check by phone. Or go in person to the records desk. Bring your ID if you go there. They need to know who is asking. Be ready to give the full name and birth date for the search. This helps them find the right file.

Kent County Courts

Courts issue most warrants. Judges sign off on them. So, court records are key for a search. Kent County has district courts and a circuit court. Each court handles certain case types. They keep their own files. A warrant could be from any of them. You may need to check more than one court. Their clerks can help you find case info. This info might show if a warrant is out.

63rd District Court

This court handles many case types. This includes traffic stuff and small crimes. It also handles the first steps for big crimes. Landlord and tenant cases are here too. Bench warrants for not showing up in court often come from here. Check their records if the case was in this court. They serve areas outside the big cities in Kent County. Their staff can guide you on how to search their files.

• Address: 1950 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

• Phone: (616) 632-7770

• Hours: Typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Check their site for exact times.

• Online Search: The 63rd District Court may have an online case search tool. Look on the Kent County website under Courts or search directly for the "63rd District Court Case Search". These tools let you search by name or case number. Find it here: https://www.accesskent.com/Courts/databases.htm (This page lists court database links for Kent County).

17th Circuit Court

The Circuit Court deals with big cases. This includes all felony cases. It also handles large civil suits and family law. Warrants for serious crimes often start here. Or they end up here after the first steps in district court. Warrants for not following child support rules may come from here too. Their clerk's office holds these files. You can search their records too.

• Address: 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

• Phone: (616) 632-5480 (Clerk's Office)

• Hours: Usually 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Always call or check online first.

• Online Search: The 17th Circuit Court also provides online access to case information. Check the same Kent County Courts database page linked above: https://www.accesskent.com/Courts/databases.htm. Use the name search function. Be sure to check both courts if you are not sure where the case was held.

Types of Warrants Encountered in Kent County

Not all warrants are the same. They are issued for different reasons. Knowing the type helps you know what to do next. Here are the main types you might find in a Kent County MI Warrant Search.

Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant tells police to arrest a person. A judge issues it. This happens when there is good cause to think the person broke the law. This could be for a small crime (misdemeanor). Or it could be for a big crime (felony). The warrant lists the charge. It allows police to take the person into custody. They must then see a judge. These are serious. They do not just go away. You must deal with them through the court. The police need this type of warrant to arrest you at home, most times.

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant comes straight from the judge (the "bench"). It is often used when some one does not do what the court told them to do. Common reasons include:

• Failure to Appear (FTA): You missed a court date you had to be at.

• Failure to Pay: You did not pay fines, costs, or support money the court ordered.

• Violating Probation: You broke the rules of your probation.

• Contempt of Court: You showed disrespect to the court or ignored its orders.

Bench warrants mean the judge wants you brought in. You must then explain why you did not follow the court's order. These can sometimes be fixed. You might pay a fine or set a new court date. But you must act fast.

Search Warrants

This type is different. It does not order an arrest of a person. It lets police search a place. This could be a home, car, or office. They look for proof of a crime. You usually would not search for these online for yourself. They are part of a police case. They are mentioned here just so you know they exist. They are not part of a normal personal warrant check.

How to Perform a Kent County MI Warrant Search

There are a few ways to check for warrants. You can use online tools. You can go in person. Or you can call the right office. Each way has good and bad points.

Utilizing Official Online Tools

Many courts and sheriff offices now offer online searches. These can be fast and easy. Kent County provides access through its website. Go to the court database page: https://www.accesskent.com/Courts/databases.htm. Select the Circuit Court or District Court case search. You usually need the full name. A date of birth helps make the search exact.

• Enter the name carefully. Check spelling.

• Look through the results. See if any case matches the person you search for.

• Check the case status. Look for terms like "Warrant Issued" or "Bench Warrant".

• Note the case number and court.

Keep in mind online data may not be instant. There might be a short delay. Not all warrants, like new ones, may show up right off. Always try to check with the court or sheriff if you need to be sure. Online tools are a good first step but may not be the full picture.

In-Person Inquiry Methods

Going in person is often the best way. You can talk to staff face to face. They can check the full record system.

• Sheriff's Office: Go to 701 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Go to the Records window or front desk. Ask for a warrant check. Bring your photo ID. They will likely need the full name and date of birth of the person. Be polite and clear.

• Courthouse Clerk: Go to the 63rd District Court (1950 East Beltline Ave NE) or 17th Circuit Court (180 Ottawa Ave NW). Find the Clerk of the Court's office. Ask them to search court records for warrants. Bring ID. They can check cases held in their specific court. You might need to visit both if you dont know the court.

This way gives you the most current info. Staff can explain what they find. It takes more time than online checks. But it is thorough.

Phone Inquiry Methods

You can also try calling. This saves a trip. But they may not give full details over the phone. This is for safety reasons.

• Sheriff's Office: Call (616) 632-6100. Ask for the records department or warrant division. Explain you need to check for a warrant. Give the name and date of birth. They will tell you their policy on phone checks.

• Court Clerks: Call the 63rd District Court at (616) 632-7770 or the 17th Circuit Court Clerk at (616) 632-5480. Ask if they can check for active warrants linked to their court cases over the phone.

Phone calls are quick. But the info might be limited. They might just say yes or no. Or they might tell you to come in person. It is worth a try though.

Understanding the Results of Your Warrant Search

When you check for a warrant, you might get some details. It helps to know what these mean. The info helps you figure out the next step.

Information Provided

If a warrant is found, you might learn:

• Case Number: The unique ID for the court case.

• Issuing Agency: Which court (like 63rd District) or judge issued it.

• Original Charge: What the person is accused of (e.g., traffic violation, theft).

• Date Issued: When the warrant was created.

• Bond Amount: Money that may need to be paid for release from jail after arrest. Not all warrants have a bond set right away.

• Status: If the warrant is still active or if it has been served or recalled.

Online searches might show less detail than an in-person check. The clerk or sheriff staff can often give more context. They can explain the status more clearly. They know the court process well.

Verifying Information

It is key to double check any warrant info. Mistakes can happen. Names can be similar. Make sure the warrant matches the right person. Check the name spelling. Check the date of birth if you have it. If you find a warrant online, call the court clerk or sheriff's office. Confirm it is still active before you act. Warrants can be cleared quickly sometimes. So the online data might lag behind. Do not rely only on one source if you can help it. Get direct word from the official source. This ensures you act on correct facts.

Addressing an Outstanding Warrant in Kent County

If you find out you have a warrant, deal with it soon. Do not wait. An active warrant can lead to arrest at any time. Here are steps you can take.

Confirm the Warrant is Active and Valid

First, be sure the warrant is real. And make sure it is still active. Call the court that issued it. Or call the Kent County Sheriff's Office Records Unit. Ask them to confirm the warrant status. Get the case number and the exact charge if you can. Make sure it is for you. Check the name and date of birth.

Options for Resolution

You have a few ways to handle a warrant. The best choice depends on the type of warrant. It also depends on the charge.

• Voluntary Surrender: You can turn yourself in. Go to the Kent County Sheriff's Office Intake at the jail (701 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids). It is best to go during daytime hours on a weekday if you can. This might speed up the process to see a judge. Bring your ID. Tell the officers you are there to turn yourself in on a warrant. They will process you. This often involves booking and maybe a court date set. Turning yourself in can look better than being arrested out in public. It shows you want to face the issue.

• Contacting Legal Counsel: Get a lawyer. An attorney can help you. They can check the warrant details. They can advise you on your rights. A lawyer might be able to arrange a time for you to turn yourself in. They may also be able to ask the court to recall a bench warrant. Especially if it was for missing court or not paying. They can represent you in court. This is wise for any arrest warrant, or complex bench warrants.

• Paying Associated Fines/Bonds: Some bench warrants are for unpaid fines or costs. Paying the full amount owed might clear the warrant. You need to pay at the court clerk's office that issued the warrant. Ask the clerk if paying will recall the warrant before you pay. Get a receipt. For arrest warrants, a bond amount might be listed. Paying the bond secures release after arrest. But it does not make the charge go away. You still have to go to court. Find payment options on the court's website or call the clerk. Some courts take online payments. Check the 17th Circuit and 63rd District court pages on the Kent County site for links.

Potential Consequences of Ignoring a Warrant

Doing nothing about a warrant is risky. The warrant stays active until dealt with. Police can arrest you during a traffic stop. They can arrest you if they come to your home for any reason. An old warrant can pop up years later. An outstanding warrant might cause your driver's license to be suspended. You could face extra charges, like Failure to Appear. It can make it hard to get a job or rent a place. It is much better to face the warrant head on. Take steps to clear it up the right way.

Relevant Michigan State Laws and Official Resources

State laws shape how warrants work. There are also state resources that can help. Knowing these can give you more context.

Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL)

The laws of Michigan are online. The Michigan Legislature website hosts them. You can search for laws about warrants, arrests, and court rules. The Code of Criminal Procedure is key here. It has rules on when and how warrants are issued and served. This site gives you direct access to the legal text. It helps you understand the basis for warrants in the state.

• Website: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(legislature))/mileg.aspx?page=home

Michigan State Police Resources

The Michigan State Police (MSP) offer some public tools. One is the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). This tool lets you search for public criminal conviction records in Michigan. It costs a small fee per search. Keep in mind, ICHAT shows past convictions. It does not usually show active warrants. But it can be useful for background checks.

• ICHAT Link: https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Home.aspx

Michigan Courts Official Website

The state runs a main website for all Michigan courts. It is managed by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). This site has tons of information. You can find links to all local courts in Michigan, including Kent County. It has court forms and guides on court processes. It explains court structure in the state. This is a great resource for understanding the wider court system that issues warrants.

• SCAO Website: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/administration/scao/

• Use their site to find court directories or learn about specific types of cases.