Find Bench Warrants in Flagler County

Bench warrants in Flagler County are issued by judges in the 7th Judicial Circuit, which is based in Bunnell. The county has a growing population of about 136,744 people, with Palm Coast as the largest community. The Flagler County Clerk of Court and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office are the two main agencies that manage bench warrant records. This page explains how to search for active bench warrants in Flagler County, what happens when one is issued, and how to resolve it if you have one outstanding.

Flagler County Clerk Warrant Records

The Flagler County Clerk of Court is at 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 1, in Bunnell. The phone number is (386) 313-4400. This office files and stores all court records from the 7th Judicial Circuit, including bench warrant orders. You can visit in person during business hours or call to ask about a specific case. The clerk can search by name or case number.

The Flagler County Clerk of Court website is shown below.

Use this site to start your search for court records in Flagler County. The clerk maintains both current and historical case files.

Court records in Flagler County are public under the Sunshine Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can request to see bench warrant records. You do not have to be the person named on the warrant. Copy fees follow the standard Florida court schedule. Certified copies cost a bit more than plain copies. The Flagler County Clerk handles requests in person, by mail, or by phone.

Flagler County Sheriff Bench Warrants

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is at 901 E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell. The main phone line is (386) 313-4911. The sheriff serves all bench warrants issued by 7th Judicial Circuit judges in Flagler County. Under Florida Statute § 901.04, any sheriff in the state can serve a bench warrant. A Flagler County bench warrant can lead to your arrest in Volusia County, St. Johns County, or anywhere else in Florida.

The sheriff enters active bench warrants into local, state, and national databases. The FDLE picks up this data for its statewide system. When an officer runs your name during a traffic stop, a Flagler County bench warrant will show up. Fresh pursuit rules under Florida law allow officers to cross county lines to make arrests on active warrants. The arrest can happen at any time, any day.

Note: Flagler County shares the 7th Judicial Circuit with Volusia, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.

How Flagler County Bench Warrants Work

A bench warrant in Flagler County starts when a judge decides someone has failed to follow a court order. Failure to appear is the most common trigger. Under Florida Statute § 88.3051, the court can issue a bench warrant, capias, or writ of bodily attachment when a person does not show up after proper notice. Missing a criminal hearing, a traffic date, or a civil proceeding can all lead to a Flagler County bench warrant.

Under Florida Statute § 901.02, probable cause is required. For bench warrants, the person's failure to appear provides that basis. The judge signs the warrant and it is active immediately. Electronic signatures have been valid on Florida warrants since July 2013. A Flagler County bench warrant does not expire. It remains active until the person is arrested, the judge recalls it, or the person dies. Search warrants expire after 10 days under Florida Statute § 933.05, but bench warrants carry no such time limit.

Flagler County has grown quickly in recent years. More people means more court cases and more bench warrants. The clerk and sheriff work together to make sure warrants get entered into the system and served. The county's proximity to Daytona Beach and St. Augustine means that law enforcement from those areas also crosses into Flagler County regularly.

Search for Flagler County Bench Warrants

You have a few options for checking whether a bench warrant is active in Flagler County. The FDLE statewide database at fdle.state.fl.us is free and covers all 67 Florida counties. You can search by name or date of birth. The database updates every 24 hours but may not show every warrant right away due to processing delays.

For the most current local data, call the Flagler County Clerk at (386) 313-4400 or the sheriff at (386) 313-4911. These offices have direct access to their records and can confirm whether a bench warrant is still outstanding. You can also visit the clerk's office in Bunnell during business hours to search in person.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney is the most private way to search. A lawyer can look up Flagler County bench warrants without putting you at risk of arrest. They can also advise you on next steps if a warrant is active.

The statewide Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association links all county clerk systems, including the Flagler County clerk's records.

Flagler County Bench Warrant Penalties

Florida Statute § 843.15 makes failure to appear a separate criminal offense. If you were released on a felony charge and missed your court date, it becomes a third-degree felony. Missing court on a misdemeanor case is a first-degree misdemeanor. These charges come on top of the original case. A Flagler County bench warrant doubles your legal problems.

Arrest on a bench warrant can happen anywhere at any time. Officers do not need a separate reason to pick you up once the warrant is active. During a routine traffic stop in Palm Coast, during a call for service, or even at your front door. The Flagler County Sheriff handles these arrests locally, but officers from other agencies can also act on the warrant thanks to fresh pursuit rules.

Resolve a Flagler County Bench Warrant

Start by confirming the warrant is real. Check with the clerk or use the FDLE database. Then call a criminal defense attorney. A lawyer can arrange a voluntary surrender at the courthouse in Bunnell. Judges in Flagler County tend to treat people who turn themselves in more favorably than those who are arrested on the street. A voluntary appearance shows the court you take the matter seriously.

Your attorney may file a motion to quash the Flagler County bench warrant. This can work for old warrants, minor offenses, or cases where you had a good reason for missing court. Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730, the clerk or prosecuting attorney can prepare a direct capias to bring the defendant before the court for sentencing or adjudication. Working with a lawyer gives you the best chance at a good outcome in Flagler County.

The FDLE database can help you check statewide warrants. The homepage is shown below.

Remember that FDLE data is for reference and should not be used as legal proof. Always confirm with local Flagler County offices.

Be careful of phone scams. Real law enforcement in Flagler County will never call and demand payment to clear a bench warrant. If someone calls asking for money, hang up and call the sheriff at (386) 313-4911.

Note: Flagler County bench warrant records are public and open to anyone under the Florida Sunshine Law.

Cities in Flagler County

Flagler County includes Palm Coast, Bunnell, Flagler Beach, Marineland, and Beverly Beach. All bench warrants for these areas are handled by the 7th Judicial Circuit Court. Palm Coast is the only city with a dedicated page.

Other communities in Flagler County, including Bunnell and Flagler Beach, file all court cases through the county system in Bunnell.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Flagler County along the northeast Florida coast and inland. Make sure your case was filed in Flagler County before searching here.