Kansas Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant is an official written order issued by a judge or magistrate that gives law enforcement the legal authority to take a specific action. To protect due process, warrants ensure that police actions are backed by probable cause and court oversight. While they exist nationwide, each state including Kansas has its own warrant rules and access procedures.

What Is a Warrant in Kansas?

In Kansas, warrants are issued by judges and magistrates in the state’s District Courts and Municipal Courts. The authority and procedure for issuing and executing warrants are outlined under Chapter 22, Article 25 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated. Typically, warrants are issued for several reasons such as:

• The arrest of a person accused of a crime.
• The search and seizure of property related to an investigation.
• The appearance of an individual in court after failing to comply with a prior order.

Types of Warrants in Kansas

The various types of warrants commonly issued in Kansas include:

1. Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants allow police to take a specific individual into custody based on probable cause. It lists the suspect’s name, charges, and issuing jurisdiction.

2. Bench Warrants

Bench warrants are created when someone fails to appear in court, ignores fines, or violates a court order. They authorize the individual to appear in court or to be brought before the court.

3. Search Warrants

Valid for four days under Kansas law, search warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate to search a person, place, or property and seize specific items described in the warrant. To issue them, a judge must be presented with an affidavit showing probable cause that evidence of a crime was found.

4. Civil Warrants

Civil warrants apply to civil court cases, such as evictions, debt collection, or small claims. They usually summon individuals to court but may result in garnishments or liens if ignored.

5. Fugitive or Out-of-State Warrants

If someone wanted in another state is caught in Kansas, a fugitive warrant permits the police to hold them until they are sent back. In the same way, Kansas may ask other states to detain an individual facing charges in Kansas.

How to Search for Warrants in Kansas

Kansas does not provide a single statewide public warrant database, however, interested parties can access them through the following channels:

• Kansas District Court Public Access Portal – The Kansas Judicial Branch provides online access to case records through its public access portal where individuals can find warrants tied to pending cases.
• County Sheriff’s Offices – Warrant records are often maintained by each county’s sheriff office. To promote transparency, large counties like Johnson County, Sedgwick County, and Wyandotte County allow the public to check for active warrants online.
• Clerk of the District Court Offices – The case files in each case heard in the state courts are maintained by the court clerks. Upon request, record seekers can view warrant information provided in a case in the clerk’s office.
• Municipal Courts – City courts, such as those in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City, issue warrants for misdemeanor and ordinance violations. Anyone can make inquiries through municipal clerks.
• Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) – The KBI maintains criminal history records, which may reflect warrant information. Individuals can request their own background check through the KBI website.
• Third-Party Search Tools – Commercial databases may include Kansas warrant records, but sheriff and court offices serve as the official sources for these records.

Public warrant records in Kansas include the subject’s name, case number, charges, type of warrant, issuing court, and bail or bond conditions.

Warrant Records in Major Kansas Cities

Kansas courts are county-based and access to warrant records may vary by county:

• Wichita (Sedgwick County) – To find warrant records in the 18th Judicial District Court, record seekers may visit the Records Department in person to use the public access computer. Also, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office maintains an active warrant search tool on its website.
• Overland Park (Johnson County) – Anyone can search for active warrants online through the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office warrant search.
• Kansas City, Kansas (Wyandotte County) – The 29th Judicial District Court maintains warrant records for Wyandotte County including Kansas City.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Kansas?

What happens after a warrant is issued depends on the type of warrant involved:

• Arrest Warrants – Police may arrest the person named on the warrant at any time. After booking, the defendant appears before a judge for arraignment and bail may be set.
• Bench Warrants – Missing court or ignoring fines leads to arrest and possible penalties such as fines or jail time.
• Search Warrants – Officers must execute searches within 96 hours and are only permitted to seize the items listed in the warrant.
• Civil Warrants – These warrants summon individuals to court. Ignoring them can result in default judgments, wage garnishments, or liens.

To resolve a warrant in Kansas, individuals can carry out the following actions:

• Appear voluntarily in court.
• Hire an attorney to arrange surrender or negotiate bail.
• Pay overdue fines or resolve outstanding obligations.

Failure to address a warrant may lead to arrest during traffic stops, employment screenings, or even travel checks.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Kansas?

• Arrest and bench warrants remain valid until executed, recalled, or quashed by a court.
• Search warrants must be executed and returned within 96 hours (4 days) of issuance.
• Civil warrants remain valid until the case is resolved or dismissed.

A warrant may be quashed if improperly issued, recalled if the person complies with court orders, or cleared after execution in court.

Since arrest and bench warrants do not expire, an individual can still be taken into custody years after.

In Kansas, arrest warrants, search warrants, and other court orders are issued under judicial authority. Each type of warrant carries its own consequences. Individuals who want to check warrant records may use the District Court Public Access Portal or the Sheriff’s online warrant search tool.

The District Court Clerk also maintains records of civil warrants, such as those involving debt or eviction, and can provide access to them upon request. Since warrants generally remain active until cleared by the court, anyone who suspects they may have an outstanding warrant should consider contacting an attorney or the issuing court to resolve the matter and avoid further penalties.