Van Buren County Warrant Search

Thank you for coming to this page. We aim to give you the best help for your Van Buren County Warrant Search. Our goal is to provide clear facts and guide you to the right places. We want this process to be as simple as can be for you.

If you want to begin a search right now, you can visit https://michiganwarrantrecords.com/van-buren-county-warrant-search/. This site offers a way to look for warrant information. It may help you find the details you need quickly. Please note that using external sites involves their own terms. Always check official sources too for full peace of mind. This is just one path you might take in your search today.

Key Offices for Warrant Information

Finding warrant details in Van Buren County means knowing who to ask. Two main offices handle this type of information. The Sheriff's Office deals with arrests and holding people. The County Courts issue some types of warrants and keep case files. You may need to speak with both. Each place has set ways to give out public data. It helps to know their roles before you call or go there. This saves time and gets you facts fast.

Van Buren County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office plays a big part in warrants. They serve warrants given by the court. They arrest people who have active warrants. They also run the county jail where people may be held. If you need to know if someone has an arrest warrant handled by the Sheriff, this is the main place to ask. They have deputies who work just on warrants. These are called Warrant Officers. You can try to reach them directly for some questions. Keep in mind, they might not share all details over the phone. Some facts are kept private to keep people safe or not harm a case.

To contact the Sheriff's Office:

• Address: 205 S Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079

• Administration Phone: (269) 657-2006

• Jail Information Phone: (269) 657-2171

• Fax: (269) 657-5161

• Warrant Officer Mentink: (269) 657-7734 Ext. 1509

• Warrant Officer VanBrussel: (269) 657-7734 Ext. 1532

• Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Administration)

The Van Buren County Sheriff does not seem to offer a public online list of active warrants on their main site. This means you will likely need to call them or visit in person. You might also ask about making a formal request for information. This sometimes uses a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) form for related police reports. But active warrant data access might be limited. Call the admin line first to ask the best way to check for a warrant. Be ready to give the full name and date of birth for the person you ask about.

Van Buren County Courts

The county courts are also key spots for warrant checks. This is true mostly for bench warrants. A judge issues a bench warrant. This often happens if someone fails to show up for court. Or they did not follow a court order. These warrants stay linked to the court case file. Van Buren County has both District and Circuit Courts. Both can issue warrants based on the cases they handle. The 7th District Court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and the start of felony cases. The 36th Circuit Court handles felonies and large civil cases. Court records might show if a warrant was issued in a case.

You can search some Michigan court case records online. Use the MiCOURT Case Search tool from the Michigan Courts website. This tool lets you search by name or case number across many state courts. It might show case actions like a warrant being issued.

• Michigan Courts Case Search: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/

• Van Buren County Courts Case Search Page: https://www.vanburencountymi.gov/198/Case-Information-Calendars

For official records or help with the search:

• Court Complex General Location: Near 212 E Paw Paw St, Paw Paw, MI 49079 (Verify specific court location if visiting)

• General Court Hours: Usually Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Check specific court for exact times)

• Contacting the Court Clerk: You can call or visit the Clerk of the Court for the District or Circuit Court. They manage court files. Ask them how to look up case details or check for warrants linked to a case. There might be fees for copies of documents.

Understanding Warrant Types in Michigan

Not all warrants are the same. Knowing the type can help your search. In Michigan, you mainly hear about two kinds. These are arrest warrants and bench warrants. Each one starts in a different way. Law enforcement or a judge issues them for set reasons. The goal is often to bring a person to court.

Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant comes from a judge or magistrate. Law enforcement must show they have good cause. They need proof that a crime likely took place. And that the person named likely did it. Once signed, any police officer can arrest the person named. These are often for new criminal charges. The police actively look for the person then. The warrant allows them to make the arrest. This type of warrant is serious. It starts the court process for a crime.

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant comes straight from the judge (the "bench"). This type is not usually for a new crime. It is often for failing to do something the court ordered. For example, not showing up for a court date. Or not paying a fine or child support. It tells police to arrest the person and bring them to court. Bench warrants are common. They can result from traffic cases too. They often link directly to an existing court case file. Checking court records can help find these.

Other Public Records Resources

Your Van Buren County warrant search might lead to other records. These records can give more context or needed details. You might want to know if someone is in jail now. Or you might need a copy of a police report. State agencies also keep some crime data.

Finding Someone in Jail (Inmate Information)

If you think someone was arrested on a warrant, check the jail. The Van Buren County Jail holds people arrested in the county. They also hold those waiting for court. The Sheriff's Office runs the jail. They do not seem to have an online inmate search tool on their county page. The best way is to call the jail information line. Be ready to give the person's full name. They can tell you if the person is there now.

• Van Buren County Jail Information: (269) 657-2171

Accessing Police Reports

Sometimes a police report has data linked to a warrant. You can ask for copies of police reports. This is done using Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You need to make a formal request. You should state clearly what report you need. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you know them. There might be a fee for copies. Some information might be blacked out to protect privacy. The Van Buren Township website has a FOIA form example, which may guide you. Contact the Sheriff's records division or the county clerk about the FOIA process for county-level reports.

• Michigan FOIA Law: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(fbygh5qivfg5f2g0dwf05vlv))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Act-442-of-1976

Statewide Offender Information (MDOC OTIS)

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) has a tool called OTIS. This stands for Offender Tracking Information System. It lists people in state prison. It also lists those on parole or probation under MDOC watch. It does not usually show local arrest warrants or bench warrants from county courts. It only shows data for offenders MDOC has supervised in the last three years. So, OTIS is good for state prison info, but not local warrants.

• MDOC OTIS Search: https://mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.html

Contact Summary

Here are the key contacts for a Van Buren County warrant search:

Van Buren County Sheriff's Office

• Address: 205 S Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079

• Admin Phone: (269) 657-2006

• Jail Phone: (269) 657-2171

• Hours: M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Van Buren County 7th District Court

• Location: Van Buren County Courthouse Complex, Paw Paw, MI 49079 (Verify specific building/room)

• Phone: Check county directory or website for direct line.

• Hours: Check county directory or website for specific hours.

Van Buren County 36th Circuit Court

• Location: Van Buren County Courthouse Complex, Paw Paw, MI 49079 (Verify specific building/room)

• Phone: Check county directory or website for direct line.

• Hours: Check county directory or website for specific hours.

Michigan Courts Online Portal

• Case Search Website: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/