Warrants are public records in Pierce County, North Dakota, pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which establishes the state's Open Records Statute. Under this statute, all records maintained by public entities are presumed open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. Warrant records, as components of the criminal justice information system, fall within this category of accessible public documents.
The North Dakota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access judicial records, including warrants, once they have been executed and returned to the court. This transparency serves multiple public interests, including:
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by court order during active investigations, pursuant to North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41(g), but generally becomes available for public inspection once the warrant has been executed or the investigation has concluded.
Warrant records maintained by Pierce County authorities contain specific information as required by North Dakota Century Code § 29-29-02. These records typically include the following elements:
The level of detail in warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant issued (arrest, bench, search) and the nature of the underlying offense. All warrant records must comply with North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4(a) regarding content requirements.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Pierce County without charge through several official channels. The following methods are available for conducting free warrant searches:
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.3, certain identifying information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy interests while still providing access to the substantive content of the warrant.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the county's jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are issued under the authority granted by North Dakota Century Code § 29-06-03, which empowers peace officers to execute warrants throughout their jurisdictions.
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of:
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office, located at 240 2nd Street SE, Rugby, ND 58368, can be contacted at (701) 776-5245 for general inquiries regarding warrant procedures. The office maintains coordination with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to ensure proper execution of warrants across jurisdictional boundaries.
Additional information about Sheriff's Office operations can be found on the Pierce County Sheriff's Office website.
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Pierce County in 2025 have several official methods available. The North Dakota Unified Court System maintains current warrant information that can be accessed through the following channels:
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 29-06-15, individuals with active warrants may be subject to arrest. Therefore, addressing any outstanding warrants promptly is advisable to avoid potential legal complications.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Pierce County can be accomplished through several official channels. Members of the public seeking this information may utilize the following resources:
When conducting a warrant search, individuals should be prepared to provide the full legal name of the person in question and, if possible, additional identifying information such as date of birth to ensure accurate results. Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.7, certain law enforcement records may have restricted access if they pertain to active investigations.