Warrants are public records in Walsh 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, including judicial documents such as warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The North Dakota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access judicial records as fundamental to maintaining transparency in governmental operations.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by the Walsh County judicial system. The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including promoting accountability within the criminal justice system and enabling citizens to remain informed about law enforcement activities within their community. However, certain sensitive information contained within warrant documents may be redacted in accordance with North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.7 to protect personal privacy or safeguard the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The Walsh County Clerk of District Court maintains the official repository of warrant records for the county and processes public requests for access to these documents in accordance with state regulations and judicial administrative procedures.
Warrant records maintained by Walsh County authorities typically contain the following information as prescribed by North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4:
The specific content of warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant issued (arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant) and the circumstances surrounding the case. All warrant records are maintained in accordance with the North Dakota Records Retention Schedule as established by the State Records Management Division.
Walsh County residents and interested parties may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by county authorities. The following official channels provide free access to warrant information:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full legal name, date of birth, and other relevant details to facilitate accurate record searches. The North Dakota Court System provides additional guidance on accessing public judicial records throughout the state.
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.1, certain administrative fees may apply for document copies or certified records, though the initial search process remains free of charge to the public.
The Walsh County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Walsh County are issued under the authority of the District Court and entrust the Sheriff's Office with specific legal powers to:
The Walsh County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend individuals with active warrants. This division operates under the direct supervision of Sheriff Ron Jurgens and follows established protocols for warrant service that prioritize public safety and constitutional rights.
Walsh County Sheriff's Office
638 Cooper Avenue
Grafton, ND 58237
(701) 352-2041
Walsh County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office regularly updates its warrant database and coordinates with the North Dakota Criminal Justice Information Sharing system to ensure accurate and current warrant information is available to all authorized law enforcement personnel throughout the state.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Walsh County may utilize several official verification methods established by county authorities. The following procedures are available for warrant status verification:
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 29-06-15, individuals with active warrants may be subject to immediate arrest. Therefore, those who believe they may have an outstanding warrant are advised to address the matter promptly through proper legal channels. The Walsh County District Court provides guidance on resolving warrant issues, including surrender procedures and bond requirements.
For individuals located outside Walsh County, remote verification options are available through the court's electronic systems or by telephone contact with the appropriate county offices.
Walsh County maintains systematic procedures for verifying outstanding warrant status in accordance with North Dakota judicial administrative policies. Members of the public may utilize the following methods to conduct outstanding warrant searches:
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should provide complete and accurate identifying information to ensure proper record matching. This typically includes full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers or identifiers. Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.10, certain identifying information may be required to fulfill public records requests related to criminal justice matters.
The Walsh County Sheriff's Office updates its warrant database daily to reflect current status changes, including newly issued warrants and those that have been served or recalled by judicial order. This information is synchronized with state and national law enforcement databases in accordance with established information sharing protocols.
Walsh County maintains comprehensive warrant records that are accessible through established public access channels. Interested parties may search warrant records through the following resources: