District of Columbia County, District of Columbia Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in District of Columbia County, District of Columbia?

Warrant records are public in the District of Columbia pursuant to the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act (DC FOIA), D.C. Code § 2-531 et seq. This legislation ensures transparency and accountability by making such records accessible to members of the public. The act is founded on the principle that citizens have the right to be informed about governmental proceedings, including law enforcement activities.

The District of Columbia Superior Court maintains warrant records to provide a clear record of legal actions taken by the authorities. These records include the issuance of arrest warrants, which are documented and made available for public scrutiny through the Active Warrant List maintained by the DC Courts. The availability of these records helps to uphold the integrity of the justice system and ensures that law enforcement actions are conducted in accordance with established legal procedures.

Members of the public should note that while warrant records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with exemptions outlined in DC FOIA § 2-534.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in District of Columbia County?

Warrant records in the District of Columbia typically contain the following information as mandated by D.C. Code § 23-561:

Full legal name of the individual subject to the warrant
Date of issuance by the judicial authority
Nature and classification of the alleged offense
Jurisdiction where the warrant was issued
Physical description of the individual, when available
Case number associated with the warrant
Name of the issuing judge or magistrate
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Warrant status (active, served, or recalled)

The DC Superior Court maintains these records in accordance with established protocols to ensure accuracy and accessibility.

How to Check For Warrants in District of Columbia County For Free

Free searches of warrant records are available to the public in the District of Columbia through several official channels:

Visiting the District of Columbia Superior Court located at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
Accessing the Active Warrant List on the DC Courts website
Utilizing the eAccess portal for online case information
Contacting the Criminal Division of the Superior Court at (202) 879-1373 during business hours (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday)

Individuals seeking information about warrants should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate search results.

District of Columbia County Sheriff Warrants

In the District of Columbia, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) performs functions typically assigned to sheriff's offices in other jurisdictions. Warrants in the District are legal documents issued by the Superior Court that authorize law enforcement officers to perform specific actions, such as arresting an individual.

These warrants contain essential details as required by D.C. Code § 23-561(b), including:

The individual's name and identifying information
The alleged offense and relevant statute
The legal basis for the warrant's issuance
The signature of the issuing judicial officer

The Metropolitan Police Department is located at 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, and can be reached at (202) 727-9099. The MPD works in conjunction with the Superior Court to execute warrants within the District's jurisdiction.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in District of Columbia County in 2025

To determine whether a warrant has been issued in one's name in the District of Columbia in 2025, individuals may access warrant records through the following official channels:

Conducting an online search through the DC Courts Case Information System
Visiting the District of Columbia Superior Court Clerk's Office at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 during business hours (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday)
Contacting the Criminal Division of the Superior Court at (202) 879-1373
Reviewing the Active Warrant List published by the DC Courts

Pursuant to D.C. Code § 23-562, individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to address the warrant.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in District of Columbia County

Searches for outstanding warrants in the District of Columbia are available through several official methods:

Checking with the Metropolitan Police Department at 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, or by calling (202) 727-9099
Accessing the DC Courts online case information system
Visiting the Superior Court Clerk's Office at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
Reviewing the publicly available Active Warrant List

The District of Columbia Department of Corrections also maintains information related to warrants and can be contacted for verification purposes:

DC Department of Corrections
2000 14th Street NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7316
Official Website

Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants should be prepared to provide proper identification to ensure accurate search results.