Connecticut Warrant Search

In the second quarter of 2023, Connecticut had 38,594 active arrest warrants in circulation. These warrants were issued following applications made by prosecutors as well as local and state law enforcement agencies. Upon establishing probable cause and creating a warrant, copies of the document are provided to the petitioner and the court liaison, who forwards them to the records management staff for entry into the "in-house" RMS system and manual storage of paper copies. Once the warrant is served, a copy will be filed with the Court's Record Unit and maintained on public-access databases, making warrant searches possible.

A Connecticut warrant search is the process by which warrant information is sought out from law enforcement agencies and the state judiciary. In Connecticut, warrant records are maintained by City Police Departments, Superior Courts, and the Department of Correction's Parole Fugitive Investigations Unit. These agencies make warrant information available to the public online, by phone, mail, or in person. 

Are Warrants Public Records in Connecticut?

Yes. According to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, all warrant records maintained by or kept on file by any law enforcement agency are public records. Therefore, anyone can inspect or copy such records during the agency's regular office or business hours. Generally, juvenile and unexecuted search warrants are not open to the public in Connecticut. Per Connecticut Code Sec. 54-33c(b), a judge will not disclose copies of affidavits supporting a warrant application if:  

• The safety of a confidential informant would be at risk;
• The search is part of an ongoing investigation;
• If it would require disclosure of information or material deemed confidential by Chapter 959a.

Types of Warrants in Connecticut

The Connecticut judiciary issues different types of warrants in the state. Warrant types generally vary with the purpose of the warrant application. The common types of warrants in Connecticut are: 

• Arrest Warrants: The Connecticut Judicial Branch defines an arrest warrant as an order authorizing the apprehension of an individual for an offense specified in the warrant.
• Search Warrants: This is a written order authorizing the search and/or confistication of the designated items or location in the warrant.  
• Bench Warrants: Per Connecticut Code Sec. 54-2a, a judge issues a bench warrant of arrest when an indiviudal fails to appear in court. 
• Capias: A judge issues capias for witnesses and defendants who violate a court order relating to any court appearance.
• Governor's warrant (Connecticut Code Sec. 54-163): This type of warrant is signed by the governor so that someone who has committed a crime in another state may be arrested and returned to that state.

What is a Search Warrant in Connecticut?

Connecticut search warrants are writs that authorize the search of an individual, their personal property or premises. All search warrant applications must be filed alongside supporting affidavits with the clerk of the court (Connecticut code Sec. 54-33c). Subsequently, a Superior court judge or judge trial referee issues the warrant on the basis of the complaint (on oath) presented by any state's attorney, their assistant, or by any two credible persons. 

Per Connecticut Code Sec. 54-33a, a judge will issue a search warrant to a police officer if they have probable cause to believe that any property: 

• Is used or intended to be used for committing any criminal offense;
• Contain stolen or embezzled items;
• Constitutes evidence of an offense, or a particular person who participated in the commission of an offense is on the premises. 

After executing a search warrant, the police officer must return the warrant and a written inventory of all property seized to the issuing judge. Unless otherwise stated by the judge, a copy of the warrant application and affidavits must be given to such owner, occupant, or person within 48 hours of the search. Every search warrant must state the date and time of its issuance, the grounds or probable cause for its issuance, and a directive that the officer should search the specified place, property, or person. 

Connecticut law strictly warns against assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with any law enforcement officer authorized to execute a search warrant. Per Connecticut Code Sec. 54-33d, persons who resist legal searches will be penalized with a maximum fine of $1,000, a year of imprisonment, or both. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant?

Getting a search warrant in Connecticut can take a few hours, several days or weeks. The length of time it takes depends on the petitioner, issuance and the nature of probable cause. Typically, the process involves:

• Gathering evidence to present to the judge;
• Submitting a warrant application;
• The application being reviewed by the judge to determine probable cause. 

What is an Arrest Warrant in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, an arrest warrant authorizes an individual's apprehension and/or detention following their alleged involvement in criminal activity. Arrest warrants are generally not issued in Connecticut until an affidavit is completed. The affidavit must contain the facts of the incident, which would help determine probable cause for issuing the arrest warrant. The applicants and witnesses must complete the affidavit, which should then be submitted to the assigned detective and forwarded to the court. A prosecutor will review the warrant, and if probable cause is found, it will be forwarded to the judge. Arrest warrants are always issued to police officers for execution. Typically, an arrest warrant contains the date of issuance, the judge's signature, the accused's name (if known), and charges. 

Arrest Warrant Lookup in Connecticut

Connecticut maintains a state-wide search portal that can be queried to find arrest warrants. A Connecticut arrest warrant lookup can be conducted by name, town, court location, or all the parameters. Other ways of conducting arrest warrant lookups in Connecticut include: 

• Searching Most Wanted lists or arrest logs maintained by local police departments;
• Contacting the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) by phone at (877)312-7807 or by email;
• Visiting local police departments or superior courts in person. An ID is usually required for in-person searches;
• Requesting criminal history records from local police departments or Connecticut State Police. For example, the Newtown Police Department Records Division performs local criminal record checks by name and date of birth. A Criminal History Check request form must be submitted to initiate the search. The Division charges a search fee of $10.00 for this service, and copies attract 0.50 cents per page. This amount is payable by cash, check, or credit card (additional fees apply). The criminal history check will return arrest and warrant information of the subject of the record. 
• Contacting the Department of Correction's Parole Fugitive Investigations Unit in person, by phone at (203) 937-2400, or by fax at (203) 397-2414. All requests should be made during regular business hours. 

How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Connecticut

There are four primary options for finding out if you have a warrant in Connecticut:

• Online via the Connecticut Judicial Branch Portal: Inquirers can find out if they have active arrest warrants for violating probation or for a failure to appear through this portal. To search with this portal, the user will have to provide their name, town, court location, or any combination of the three. 
• In-Person at The Issuing Court: Queries may also be directed to the court where the warrant was issued. Typically, the clerk of the issuing court will enter the warrant information into their database before providing the warrant to a police officer and after the officer returns the warrant. In this case, the requester will need to present their ID and any other information needed to facilitate the search. 
• Online and in-person at the local police office where the warrant was executed: Warrant-related queries may also be directed to the executing law enforcement officer or agency. 
• Connecticut State Police: Inquirers may mail a completed Criminal History Record Request Form to the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification alongside the required fees. A criminal records search by name costs $36, and a criminal conviction history record search by name or date of birth costs $75. A criminal conviction history search by fingerprint also costs $75. Completed applications should be addressed to: 

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

State Police Bureau of Identification

1111 Country Club Road

Middletown, CT 06457

Phone: (860) 685-8480

Free Warrant Search in Connecticut

Connecticut law enforcement agencies provide various free options for conducting warrant searches within the state. Most city police departments offer free access to warrant information online or in person during business hours. In-person requesters must provide an ID to search. Online requesters can also check the Most Wanted section or Arrest logs to find warrant information. For example, the Enfield Police Department maintains a Most Wanted list for free, while the Hartford Police Department includes warrant information in its Arrest Logs. 

How to Find Out If Someone Has A Warrant Online

To find out if someone has a warrant online in Connecticut, search for active warrants in their name on the Connecticut Judicial Branch portal. The search result will reveal warrant information of everyone bearing the search name in the selected town or court location. For further information, users may click a name to view specific details like last and first name, birth year, last known address, city, state, Zip, warrant issuance date, and docket number. Also, click the docket link to retrieve more information about the case. 

A free Connecticut warrant search can also be conducted through third-party sites. The search parameters required to facilitate these searches are the first and last names of the warrant subject. Most third-party sites will provide access to basic warrant information for free. However, a comprehensive warrant report comes with a small fee. Generally, third-party vendors charge between between $2.95 and $4.95 for a 7-day unlimited warrant search access. Monthly subscription costs between $19.95 and $24.95. Record seekers are advised to verify information retrieved from third-party sites with government sites to ensure authenticity and completeness.

How Long Do Warrants Last in Connecticut?

Warrants do not expire in Connecticut, excluding search warrants. They remain active until the person named on the warrant dies or appears in court. Per Connecticut Code Sec. 54-33c, a search warrant must be executed within 10 days. The search warrant becomes void when the ten (10) days elapse. Law enforcement agencies and officers are required to return unexecuted search warrants to the issuing judge.