Warrants are public records in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, pursuant to the North Dakota Open Records Statute (N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18). This statute establishes that governmental records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The North Dakota Century Code mandates transparency in judicial proceedings to maintain accountability within the legal system.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by Grand Forks County authorities. This accessibility serves multiple public interests, including community awareness of law enforcement activities and individual rights to information regarding potential legal matters affecting them. The statute specifically provides that "all records of public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state or any political subdivision of the state, or organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, are public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours."
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order in cases where premature disclosure could compromise an ongoing investigation or public safety, as provided under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1.
Warrant records maintained by Grand Forks County typically contain the following information:
Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 29-06-15, warrants must contain sufficient particularity regarding the alleged offense and the identity of the individual to satisfy constitutional requirements. The records are maintained in accordance with the North Dakota Records Retention Schedule as established by the State Records Management Division.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Grand Forks County through several no-cost methods established under North Dakota's public access provisions:
Visit the Grand Forks County Clerk of District Court Grand Forks County Courthouse 124 S 4th Street, 3rd Floor Grand Forks, ND 58201 Phone: (701) 787-2700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office 122 S 5th Street, Suite 210 Grand Forks, ND 58201 Phone: (701) 780-8280 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the North Dakota Courts Public Search portal, which provides case information including warrant status for participating counties
Utilize public access terminals located at the Grand Forks County Courthouse during regular business hours
Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.3, certain identifying information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy interests while still providing essential information regarding the warrant status.
The Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants issued by judicial authorities within the county jurisdiction. These official documents are categorized according to their purpose and scope as defined in N.D.C.C. § 29-06:
The Sheriff's Office processes warrants in accordance with procedural requirements established in N.D.C.C. § 29-06-15, which governs the execution of warrants by peace officers. Deputies are required to identify themselves, state their purpose, and present the warrant upon request when executing these judicial orders.
Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office 122 S 5th Street, Suite 210 Grand Forks, ND 58201 Phone: (701) 780-8280 Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Grand Forks County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by the North Dakota Court System:
Access the online case search system through the District Court Case Search portal, which provides real-time information on active warrants
Contact the Grand Forks County Clerk of District Court directly at (701) 787-2700 during business hours
Submit a written request for records check to: Grand Forks County Clerk of District Court 124 S 4th Street, 3rd Floor Grand Forks, ND 58201
Consult with legal counsel who can access case information through official channels
Pursuant to N.D.R.Crim.P. 4(c), warrant information is entered into state and national databases, making verification possible through authorized agencies. Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when requesting warrant information in person to ensure accurate results.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Grand Forks County is facilitated through multiple official channels in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18. Members of the public may:
Conduct a criminal case records search through the North Dakota Courts website
Visit the Grand Forks County Courthouse Records Division during regular business hours: Grand Forks County Courthouse 124 S 4th Street Grand Forks, ND 58201 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division at (701) 780-8280
Request a criminal history check through the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation for a comprehensive statewide verification
The North Dakota Century Code requires that warrant information be maintained in accordance with established records retention schedules. Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 12-60-16.6, certain criminal history information may require fingerprint verification for complete accuracy.