Warrants don't expire in Florida. If there's one with your name on it in St. Lucie County, it's not going away on its own. The good news? You can check, and you have options. Here's how.
Warrants in St. Lucie County
In St. Lucie County, a warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest an individual. The St. Lucie County Clerk of the Court and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office maintain these official records. There are two primary types of warrants: arrest warrants, which are issued when law enforcement presents probable cause of a crime, and bench warrants, which are issued directly by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates a court order.
Once a warrant is active in Florida, it is entered into statewide and federal databases, such as the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC). This means the warrant is accessible to law enforcement officers across the country. Any routine interaction with police, such as a minor traffic stop in or outside of St. Lucie County, will reveal the active warrant and likely result in an immediate arrest.
What to Do If You Have an Active Warrant
If you discover you have an active warrant in St. Lucie County, addressing it proactively is your best option. Contacting a bail bond agent allows you to arrange a "walk-through" bond in advance. This process coordinates your surrender with a bondsman so that your bail is pre-arranged, significantly minimizing your time spent in custody during booking.How to Check for Warrants in St. Lucie County
1. St. Lucie County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court maintains all case records including active warrants. Search their online portal by name to see if there are any open cases or bench warrants. Bench warrants are issued when someone misses a scheduled court date.
2. St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Some sheriff's offices publish active warrant lists online. You can also call the non-emergency line and ask if there's a warrant for a specific person. They'll need the full legal name and date of birth.
3. FDLE Statewide Database
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at offender.fdle.state.fl.us shows criminal records statewide. While it doesn't always show active warrants in real-time, it shows prior arrests and open cases that might indicate a warrant.
4. Hire a Lawyer to Check
This is the smartest option if you think YOU might have a warrant. A criminal defense attorney can check confidentially and, if a warrant exists, arrange for you to turn yourself in under controlled conditions — during business hours when bail can be posted immediately so you spend minimal time in jail.
Types of Warrants in St. Lucie County
Bench Warrant
Issued when you miss a court date. These usually have a preset bail amount — often $500 to $5,000. You can usually post bail right away without seeing a judge.
Arrest Warrant
Issued when law enforcement has probable cause that you committed a crime. These result from police investigations. Bail may or may not be preset — for serious felonies, you'll need to wait for a judge at first appearance.
Capias Warrant
Similar to a bench warrant but issued by the court for various reasons — failure to pay fines, probation violations, or contempt of court. Bail varies.
What to Do If You Have a Warrant
- Don't panic — Having a warrant doesn't mean SWAT is coming to your door tomorrow.
- Get a lawyer — They can research the warrant details and advise on next steps.
- Consider turning yourself in — Judges look more favorably on voluntary surrender. Your lawyer can arrange it during business hours.
- Arrange bail in advance — Call QuickBail at (941) 477-6888 before turning yourself in. We can have a bondsman ready to post bail immediately so you spend hours in jail instead of days.
Don't Ignore It
The worst thing you can do is pretend the warrant doesn't exist. You'll get arrested eventually — at a traffic stop, during a background check, at the airport, or even when a cop runs your plates in a parking lot. Handle it on your terms, not theirs.
Related: St. Lucie County Jail | Arrest Records | First Appearance