Warrant records in Steele County, North Dakota are considered public records pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which establishes the state's open records law. Members of the public may access warrant information once it has been issued by a judicial authority and entered into the official court record system. This transparency measure serves to maintain accountability within the judicial system and provides citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction.
The North Dakota Open Records Law stipulates that government agencies must make records available for public inspection during reasonable office hours. Exceptions to public disclosure exist for certain types of warrants, particularly those related to ongoing investigations or those sealed by court order under North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41.
Warrant information becomes accessible after formal issuance by the appropriate judicial authority. The East Central Judicial District, which encompasses Steele County, maintains these records in accordance with state statutes governing judicial transparency and public information access.
Warrant records maintained by Steele County authorities contain specific information as required by North Dakota Century Code § 29-06-15. Standard warrant documentation includes:
Pursuant to North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure, warrant records may also contain supplementary documentation such as affidavits supporting probable cause determinations. The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the nature of the case and applicable privacy statutes.
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in Steele County may utilize several no-cost resources established under North Dakota's public access provisions:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Steele County Clerk of District Court's office located at 201 Washington Avenue West, Finley, ND 58230. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding legal holidays.
The North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry system provides online access to court records, including warrant information, through the state's public portal at https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/
Telephone inquiries may be directed to the Steele County Sheriff's Office at (701) 524-2742 during regular business hours. Verification of identity may be required when requesting information by telephone.
Public access terminals are available at the Steele County Courthouse for individuals without internet access to conduct searches of the court's electronic records system.
When conducting searches, individuals should be prepared to provide full legal name and date of birth to ensure accurate results.
The Steele County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction as authorized under North Dakota Century Code § 29-06-03. Sheriff's warrants fall into several categories:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants and coordinates with other law enforcement agencies for execution of these judicial orders. Warrant service is conducted in accordance with procedural requirements established in North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4.
Steele County Sheriff's Office
201 Washington Avenue West
Finley, ND 58230
(701) 524-2742
Steele County Sheriff's Office
Individuals seeking to determine warrant status in Steele County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established under North Dakota's public records provisions:
The North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry system provides 24-hour online access to court records, including warrant information. Users must navigate to the East Central Judicial District and select Steele County to conduct searches.
In-person verification is available at the Steele County Clerk of District Court office during regular business hours. Proper identification is required when making in-person inquiries.
Written requests may be submitted to the Clerk of District Court with required identifying information. Responses are typically processed within 5-7 business days pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.
Legal counsel may conduct warrant searches on behalf of clients through professional access channels.
When conducting searches, individuals should provide complete legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers to ensure accurate results. The North Dakota Court System updates warrant information daily to maintain current records.
Verification of outstanding warrant status in Steele County requires accessing official judicial records through authorized channels. Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.7, the following methods are available:
The North Dakota Courts public access portal provides searchable records of outstanding warrants. Users must select the appropriate jurisdiction (Steele County) and enter identifying information to conduct searches.
The Clerk of District Court maintains official warrant records and can verify status during regular business hours at the Steele County Courthouse, 201 Washington Avenue West, Finley, ND 58230.
Criminal history checks, which may reveal outstanding warrants, can be requested through the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation for a statutory fee.
Legal representatives may access warrant information through attorney-specific channels established by the North Dakota Court System.
Individuals with concerns about possible warrants are advised to utilize these official channels rather than unofficial third-party websites that may contain outdated or inaccurate information. All searches conducted through government agencies are logged in accordance with state record-keeping requirements.
Steele County warrant records are maintained as part of the official court record system and are accessible through multiple channels established by the North Dakota Court System. The North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry system serves as the primary electronic repository for public court records, including warrant information.
Searches may be conducted using various identifiers as outlined in the Criminal Case Records Search guidelines established by the North Dakota Court System. Available search parameters include:
The Steele County District Court maintains the official record of all warrants issued within its jurisdiction. Physical records may be examined at the courthouse during established public access hours.
Steele County District Court
201 Washington Avenue West
Finley, ND 58230
(701) 524-2533
North Dakota Court System - Steele County
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, standard fees may apply for copies of warrant records. Current fee schedules are available from the Clerk of District Court.