Warrants are public records in Cass County, North Dakota, pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which establishes the state's open records law. This statute mandates that all government records shall be open and accessible for inspection by any person, except those specifically exempted by law. The North Dakota Open Records Statute ensures transparency and accountability within public offices by allowing citizens to inspect and obtain copies of public records, including warrants.
The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains warrant records as part of its official duties in accordance with North Dakota Century Code § 11-15-07, which outlines the responsibilities of county sheriffs. These records are subject to public disclosure under state law, with certain limitations regarding active investigations as specified in § 44-04-19.1.
Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental and societal interests, including:
Residents seeking warrant information may contact:
Cass County Sheriff's Office
1612 23rd Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: (701) 241-5800
Cass County Sheriff's Office
Warrant records maintained by Cass County authorities contain specific information as required by North Dakota Century Code § 29-06-15. These records typically include the following elements:
Pursuant to North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4(a), arrest warrants must be signed by a magistrate upon a showing of probable cause. The warrant must contain the defendant's name or description and must command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the nearest available magistrate.
Bench warrants, issued under Rule 46(g) for failure to appear, contain similar information but specifically reference the underlying case and the nature of the court appearance that was missed.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Cass County through several no-cost methods established under North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18(2), which prohibits excessive fees for accessing public records. Free warrant verification options include:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to ensure accurate results. Pursuant to § 44-04-18.1, certain warrant information may be redacted if it contains confidential information or relates to an ongoing investigation.
The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants issued by judicial authorities within the county pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 11-15-06, which authorizes sheriffs to execute all processes and orders directed to them by legal authority. Sheriff warrants in Cass County fall into several categories:
The Sheriff's Warrants Division processes approximately 500 warrants monthly and maintains a database of active warrants in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements under § 11-15-12. The division operates from:
Cass County Sheriff's Office - Warrants Division
1612 23rd Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: (701) 241-5800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Law enforcement officers throughout Cass County have access to the warrant database through the county's integrated justice information system. Pursuant to § 29-06-15, officers may execute warrants at any time of day or night, though certain restrictions apply to the execution of search warrants as specified in § 29-29-10.
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Cass County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established under North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18. The following methods provide authorized access to warrant information:
Pursuant to North Dakota Administrative Rule 41, certain court records may be accessed electronically, though some limitations apply to sensitive information. Individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to resolve the matter in accordance with North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Cass County is available through multiple channels as authorized by North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18. Members of the public may access this information through:
Pursuant to § 44-04-18.7, certain identifying information may be redacted from public warrant records if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The Sheriff's Office processes warrant verification requests during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM).
For third-party inquiries, the requesting party must provide the full legal name and, if possible, the date of birth of the subject to ensure accurate results. Under North Dakota Administrative Rule 41(5)(b), bulk requests for warrant information may require special processing and additional fees.