Warrants are public record in McHenry County, North Dakota, pursuant to the North Dakota Open Records Statute (N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18). This statute establishes that all government records are open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The North Dakota Century Code mandates transparency in governmental operations, including judicial proceedings and law enforcement activities.
McHenry County warrant records are maintained as public documents to ensure governmental accountability and to uphold citizens' right to information. Under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(1), "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, or expending public funds, shall be public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours."
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by court order during active investigations, pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1, which allows for confidentiality when disclosure would impair an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals involved.
Warrant records in McHenry County contain specific information as required by North Dakota law. These official documents typically include:
The level of detail in warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant and the circumstances of issuance. Search warrants may contain additional information regarding the specific location to be searched and items to be seized, as required by the Fourth Amendment and N.D.C.C. § 29-29-01.
Members of the public may access warrant information in McHenry County through several no-cost methods established by the county to facilitate public access to judicial records:
Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(2), agencies may charge reasonable fees for making copies of public records, but viewing records in person typically incurs no cost. When conducting warrant searches, individuals should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to ensure accurate results.
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are issued under the authority granted by N.D.C.C. § 29-06-03, which empowers peace officers to execute warrants throughout the county.
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of:
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office processes warrant information in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 29-06-15, which establishes procedures for warrant execution. The office coordinates with other law enforcement agencies when warrant subjects may be located outside county boundaries.
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
407 Main Street S
Towner, ND 58788
Phone: (701) 537-5633
Official Website
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in McHenry County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by the county for public information access:
When checking warrant status, individuals should be prepared to provide their full legal name, date of birth, and other identifying information as required by N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1(2), which governs identification requirements for public records requests.
The North Dakota Courts system has implemented enhanced digital access protocols for 2025, allowing more comprehensive online searches while maintaining compliance with privacy protections established in N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7.
Verification of outstanding warrants in McHenry County is facilitated through multiple channels established by county authorities pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18:
Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.3, certain warrant information may be redacted if it contains confidential criminal investigative information. However, basic warrant status is generally available to the public.
For third-party searches, requestors should note that N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1 requires proper identification when requesting records about other individuals. The county may require verification of identity to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.