Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), warrants are considered public records in Duval County, Texas. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including judicial documents such as warrants, unless specifically exempted by statute. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the presumption that government records are open to public inspection.
Warrant records maintained by the Duval County Sheriff's Office and the Duval County Clerk's Office are generally accessible to members of the public. These records serve as official documentation of judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to perform specific actions, such as arrests or property searches. The maintenance of these records as public documents promotes governmental transparency and accountability within the judicial system.
Under Texas law, certain warrant information may be temporarily restricted from public access during active investigations to preserve the integrity of law enforcement operations. However, once a warrant has been executed or is no longer active, the information typically becomes available through standard public records request procedures.
Warrant records maintained by Duval County authorities typically contain comprehensive information related to the judicial order. Standard elements included in Duval County warrant records are:
The specific information available may vary depending on the type of warrant and the policies of the issuing authority. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.02, arrest warrants must "command that the person against whom the complaint was made be arrested and brought before the proper magistrate to answer the accusation."
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in Duval County may utilize several no-cost methods to access this information:
When making inquiries, individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification and specific information about the person for whom they are checking warrant status. Under Texas Government Code § 552.023, individuals have a special right of access to records that contain information relating to themselves.
The Duval County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Duval County are official documents issued by a judge or magistrate that authorize law enforcement officers to take specific actions, including:
The Duval County Sheriff's Office maintains records of all active warrants issued within its jurisdiction and coordinates with other law enforcement agencies for warrant service. The Sheriff's Office is located at:
Duval County Sheriff's Office
401 E. Collins Avenue
San Diego, TX 78384
Phone: (361) 279-6328
Official Duval County Sheriff's Office Website
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.16, upon executing an arrest warrant, the officer must "take the person arrested before the magistrate without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested."
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Duval County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for warrant verification:
When making inquiries about personal warrant status, individuals must provide proper identification to confirm their identity. Under Texas law, specifically the Texas Public Information Act, individuals have enhanced rights to access information about themselves, though certain procedural requirements must be followed.
For warrants related to failure to appear in court or unpaid fines, the Justice of the Peace courts maintain separate records that can be accessed through their offices. These courts have jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors and certain civil matters as outlined in Texas Government Code § 27.031.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Duval County requires accessing official records maintained by county law enforcement and judicial authorities. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to check for outstanding warrants:
When conducting a warrant search for another individual, requestors should note that while warrant information is generally public record, certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy provisions of the Texas Public Information Act. The Act provides that "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body" (Texas Government Code § 552.021).
For comprehensive warrant searches, individuals may need to check with multiple agencies, as warrants may be issued by different courts within the county, including district courts, county courts, and justice courts.