Arrest warrants are no fun. They can disrupt a person’s life and their job and generally just cause a whole lot of stress.

If you or someone you know is facing an arrest warrant, the best course of action is to contact an attorney, as well as an experienced bail bond agency.

Your attorney is your legal protector, and your bail bond agent is your go-to resource for getting out of jail FAST.

No one wants to sit in jail while they wait for their trial to conclude, so call us today at (901) 523-2245. We are available 24/7.

To learn more about how to perform a TN warrant search, keep reading.

TN Warrant Search: How To Find Out If You Have A Tennessee Arrest Warrant

The best ways to find out if you or someone you know has a warrant in Tennessee are to:

  • Visit your county’s law enforcement website. In Shelby County, you’ll need to go to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Information System here. You’ll need to provide the first name, last name, and address of the person you are trying to find.
  • Contact the sheriff’s department, although we strongly recommend retaining a lawyer before you do so.
  • Get your criminal history checked by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
  • Contact your local court clerk or the court clerk in the county where the warrant was issued.
  • Contact us, and we can help you with your Tennessee warrant search.

Tennessee Warrant Roundup

In the state of Tennessee, regular “roundups” are performed by law enforcement to arrest people who have outstanding warrants.

When and where these roundups take place varies depending on where you live in Tennessee.

One of the best ways to avoid getting surprised by a roundup is to perform an online search at your local county’s law enforcement website.

To perform a warrant search, go to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Information System.

Do Arrest Warrants Expire?

Search warrants expire, but other types of warrants do not.

The Different Types of Warrants

1. Active Warrants

These types of warrants are ones that have been newly issued.

When you have an active warrant, it means that it’s possible for you to be taken into police custody at any time.

Active warrants put you in police computers, so it’s a very good idea if you believe you have a warrant out for your arrest to have access to the appropriate resources, which include both an attorney and a skilled bail bondsman.

2. Outstanding Warrants

Outstanding warrants are active warrants that have been around for a long time (months or even years) with no resolution.

These types of warrants are valid despite their age because arrest warrants do not expire.

If you’re wondering how likely it is that you’ll end up with an outstanding warrant that lasts for months or years, the answer is not very…although it is possible.

Some people take active measures to avoid law enforcement, but in the vast majority of cases, people aren’t really looking to break the law like this.

Usually, outstanding warrants exist because law enforcement agencies have failed to serve them, which means that the intended recipients of the warrants don’t even know they exist.

Another reason why it’s unlikely to have an outstanding warrant that lasts for months or years is that law enforcement agencies have access to advanced databases.

All police cruisers come equipped with computers that make it very hard for criminals or even well-meaning people with outstanding warrants to avoid arrest.

3. Search Warrants

When a search warrant is issued against you, this gives law enforcement officers the go-ahead to search your property. This includes your home, vehicle, business, boat, etc.

The purpose of search warrants is to obtain evidence related to a crime. Although this is an important part of the legal process, there are restrictions enshrined in US law that protect citizens from unlawful searches and seizures.

Law enforcement officers cannot simply barge into your home and take what they believe to be evidence of a crime just because. Search warrants are required before law enforcement officers can enter your home or third-party residence.

A unique feature about search warrants is that they have a limited time frame.

If a Tennessee search warrant is issued, and a search is NOT made in a reasonable amount of time, then a new search warrant must be obtained.

This rule is extremely important and is in place to protect US citizens from abuse by law enforcement agencies.

Without this rule, judges could easily issue search warrants that last indefinitely, giving law enforcement agencies carte blanche to search your property at any time.

As you can imagine, this would lead to a lot of human rights abuses.

As an aside, if someone flees from law enforcement and hides at a third-party property, a search warrant can be used to detain them.

Search warrants are used in a wide number of situations, ranging from capital murder to fraud to drug trafficking investigations.

The main difference between a search warrant and a normal arrest warrant is that search warrants generally only lead to an arrest if convicting evidence is found during the search.

What Can Make a Tennessee Search Warrant Invalid?

A search warrant requires a judge’s signature, as well as a description of the suspect and their property. These are essential requirements without which a search warrant could be invalidated.

Search warrants also require probable cause. If a search warrant is issued without a good reason, then the warrant will again likely be invalidated.

Other Search Considerations

Other reasons why search warrants may be considered invalid include but are not limited to there being an insufficient affidavit, there being a failure to deliver the warrant to the defendant, or a warrant request that is sparsely detailed or even blatantly inaccurate.

4. Bench Warrants

Bench warrants are issued when a person fails to appear in court. If this happens, they will need to be tracked down and arrested again, and obviously, a warrant will be needed for this process.

One of the key differences between arrest warrants and bench warrants is that judges determine when bench warrants are issued, whereas law enforcement agencies have to request arrest warrants and get a judge’s approval before they can be issued.

The Two Types Of Bench Warrants

The two types of bench warrants are civil and criminal.

In the vast majority of cases, only criminal bench warrants lead to imprisonment. Civil bench warrants mostly result in fees or settlements, which take place during the court case.

In civil cases, if you have a strong reason for not complying with the requirements of the court, then you may be able to resolve the situation without facing a warrant.

Unlike search warrants, bench warrants in Tennessee do not expire.

More About Warrants In Tennessee

The purpose of warrants is to provide protection to citizens against unlawful arrests, searches, and seizures.

But keep in mind that law enforcement officers CAN arrest someone without a warrant if they see that the person is committing a crime or if they have probable cause.

This tension between citizens’ rights and the need for law enforcement officers to be able to enforce laws has led to debates from the local to national level about where the United States should draw the line.

It can be difficult for lawmakers to know where to draw the line and what arresting authority police officers should have. But one thing is for certain, arrest warrants are a good thing—or at least, they are a necessary inconvenience.

One of the good things about Tennessee is that the state has information about outstanding warrants publicly available, which means you can avoid surprises by performing a simple online search.

What To Do If You Have An Arrest Warrant In Your County?

If a warrant has been issued for your arrest, the best thing you can do is contact an attorney, as well as a bail bond agency and ask for their help.

It’s best that you act fast.

Arrest warrants are a big deal, and ignoring them can lead to all sorts of problems. The last thing you want to do is ignore the warrant and then have law enforcement come knocking on your door or even arrest you at work.

Today, it’s harder than ever to avoid law enforcement, especially if there is a warrant out for your arrest. Police cruisers have license plate scanners and computers with access to police databases that allow them to find out who you are quick.

Since running isn’t really a viable option in today’s world, coming forward with the right team behind you will help you tremendously when facing the legal process.

When Are Arrest Warrants Issued?

Arrest warrants are issued when there is probable cause. What constitutes probable cause is a complex issue that has been debated in local, statewide, and even federal courts.

Probable cause does not necessarily need to be substantiated by hard evidence. If a credible source claims that someone is committing a crime, it will likely be held in interest by the court.

Credible eyewitnesses certainly meet the standard of evidence demanded by courts in the United States.

Courts may also issue a criminal summons, which is quite different from an arrest warrant.

The major difference between a criminal summons and an arrest warrant is that the former only demands that you appear in court.

When you receive a criminal summons, you are NOT considered a threat to the public.

Upon receiving a criminal summons, either by a law enforcement officer or via certified mail, you’ll have to get your fingerprints and photograph taken, go to court for your arraignment, and learn what crime(s) you’ve been charged with.

Please keep in mind that receiving a criminal summons does not mean that you’re guilty.

Your Court Hearing During A Criminal Summons

During your court hearing, you and your attorney will obviously have to answer questions.

Before your court hearing concludes, the conditions of your release will also be established, so it’s very important to show up. Failing to show up for a criminal summons will lead to a bench warrant being issued for your arrest.