Find Ramsey County Bench Warrants

Ramsey County bench warrants are issued by the 2nd Judicial District Court when a person misses a court appearance or fails to follow a court order. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Bob Fletcher runs an online warrant search tool that covers active warrants going back ten years. You can also check bench warrants by calling the warrant helpline at 651-266-9320 or by using Minnesota Court Records Online. Ramsey County is the second most populated county in the state and includes St. Paul, the state capital. If you need to look up a bench warrant in Ramsey County, you have more search options here than in most Minnesota counties.

Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office handles all bench warrant service in the county. Sheriff Bob Fletcher leads the office from 425 Grove Street in St. Paul. When a judge in the 2nd Judicial District issues a bench warrant, it goes to the sheriff's office for execution. Ramsey County is one of the few counties in Minnesota with its own online warrant search tool, which makes checking for bench warrants much easier than calling in.

The sheriff's office also runs the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center at 425 Grove Street. This is where people are booked after a bench warrant arrest. The jail entrance is open 24 hours a day, so you can turn yourself in at any time. The detention center phone number is (651) 266-9500. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody when you provide a full name and date of birth.

Ramsey County handles several types of warrants. Bench warrants come from the judge for failure to appear. Arrest warrants are based on probable cause. Probation violation warrants are for people who break the terms of supervised release. The sheriff's online search tool shows all of these categories along with the charge level, whether it is a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor.

How to Search Ramsey County Bench Warrants

The Ramsey County Sheriff Online Warrant Search is the fastest way to check for bench warrants. The tool lets you search by name and shows active warrants issued within the last ten years. Results include the person's full name, photo, warrant type, issue date, charges, and bail information. This is a free tool available around the clock.

You can also call the warrant helpline at 651-266-9320. Give the full name and date of birth of the person you are checking on. Staff can tell you right away if there is an active bench warrant and what the bail amount is. This line is available during regular business hours.

The Minnesota Court Records Online system is another option. It covers all cases in the 2nd Judicial District. Search by name or case number to find court filings, hearing dates, and case status. A failure to appear entry in the case history usually means a bench warrant was issued. Some pending criminal cases have limits on what appears in remote searches, so the online system is not always complete for active criminal matters.

The Ramsey County Criminal and Traffic Court handles all criminal cases in the 2nd Judicial District. The courthouse is at 15 W Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul. You can call (651) 266-8266 for court information or visit in person to use the public access terminals during business hours.

Ramsey County Bench Warrant Records

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office keeps detailed records of all bench warrants issued in the county. Under Minnesota Statute Section 13.82, most warrant and arrest data is public government data. Anyone can request information about active bench warrants without needing special clearance. The Ramsey County arrest warrant search page provides direct access to the database along with safety notices about contacting individuals with active warrants.

The online warrant search results include photos, charges, and bail amounts for each active warrant. This is more detail than most counties provide. Ramsey County also publishes booking reports through the Adult Detention Center, which you can access on the county website.

Court record copies are available at the 2nd Judicial District Court. Certified copies cost $10 and plain copies are $8. The court clerk's office at 15 W Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul handles these requests during regular hours.

Consequences of Ramsey County Bench Warrants

A bench warrant in Ramsey County means arrest can happen at any time. Law enforcement runs names through the warrant system during traffic stops, police contacts, and booking at the jail. An active bench warrant shows up immediately. You can be taken into custody and brought to the Adult Detention Center at 425 Grove Street in St. Paul.

Under Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 3.01, the court must issue a warrant when a defendant does not appear after receiving a summons. There is no discretion. The warrant stays active until you show up in court or the judge recalls it. There is no expiration date. Ramsey County bench warrants from years ago are just as enforceable as new ones. The sheriff's online search covers warrants going back ten years, but some older warrants may still be active even if they do not appear in that system.

Missing court also brings separate penalties. Under MS 609.49, a felony defendant who skips court intentionally can face up to half the maximum sentence for the original crime. For gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor cases, the failure to appear is a separate misdemeanor charge. Petty misdemeanor no-shows can count as a guilty plea under MS 609.491. If you have tips about someone with an active warrant, call 9-1-1 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Resolving Bench Warrants in Ramsey County

The best approach is to deal with a Ramsey County bench warrant before getting arrested. Talk to a lawyer first. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant and set a new court date. This sometimes works without an arrest. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court can appoint a public defender.

You can turn yourself in at the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center at 425 Grove Street in St. Paul. The jail entrance is open 24 hours a day. Bring valid photo ID and cash for bail if you know the amount. Call the warrant helpline at 651-266-9320 to find out the bail amount before you go. Some bench warrants allow for sign and release under MS 629.415, which means you get a notice with a new court date instead of being held. The officer checks the warrant type and acts accordingly.

• Call the warrant helpline at 651-266-9320 for bail amount and warrant type
• Go to 425 Grove Street in St. Paul with photo ID and bail money
• Get a new court date from the clerk after processing
• Show up for the new hearing date or another warrant will issue
• Do not attempt to contact individuals with active warrants on your own

Ramsey County Bench Warrant Legal Help

Several organizations provide free or low cost legal help with bench warrants in Ramsey County. LawHelpMN has self-help guides on warrant issues, public defender services, and fee waivers. The site covers what to do if you have a warrant and how to prepare for court.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Centers have staff who can help you find forms, understand the court process, and connect with legal aid. They are not lawyers, but they know where to send you. For custody tracking, VINE lets you sign up for alerts when someone is booked or released from the Ramsey County jail. The service is free and available 24 hours a day.

Cities in Ramsey County

Ramsey County includes St. Paul and several suburbs. Bench warrants for all of these cities go through the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and the 2nd Judicial District Court. Select a city below for local bench warrant resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ramsey County. Each has its own sheriff's office and bench warrant procedures.