Warrant records are public documents in Butte County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). Under California law, warrants are classified as judicial records that fall within the scope of public information accessible to citizens. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b) further reinforces the public's right to access information concerning governmental proceedings.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by the Butte County Superior Court and the Butte County Sheriff's Office. This transparency in the judicial system serves multiple purposes, including maintaining accountability of law enforcement agencies and ensuring citizens can verify the existence of warrants that may affect their legal status.
The public nature of warrant records is subject to certain limitations established by statute. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1534(a), search warrants and supporting affidavits may remain sealed for a period of 10 days after execution, or longer if ordered by the court. Additionally, certain warrants related to ongoing investigations or those involving juvenile offenders may have restricted access in accordance with California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.
Warrant records maintained by the Butte County Superior Court and Sheriff's Office typically contain the following information as required by California Penal Code § 813-817:
The level of detail in publicly accessible warrant records may vary based on the type of warrant and stage of the judicial process. Bench warrants, arrest warrants, and search warrants each contain specific information relevant to their purpose as outlined in the California Penal Code.
Residents and interested parties may verify warrant status in Butte County through several no-cost methods established by local authorities:
The Butte County Superior Court provides public access terminals at the courthouse where individuals may search for warrant information during regular business hours. These terminals are available at:
Butte County Superior Court
One Court Street
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 532-7002
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The Criminal Division of the Butte County Superior Court maintains records of all criminal proceedings, including active warrants. Individuals may request warrant information by providing proper identification at the clerk's office.
Additionally, the Butte County Sheriff's Office maintains a public records unit that processes warrant inquiries in accordance with Government Code § 6253:
Butte County Sheriff's Office
5 Gillick Way
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 552-5200
Email: BCSOrecords@buttecounty.net
Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253(f), agencies must provide assistance to members of the public seeking to inspect public records, including helping to identify records and information responsive to the request.
The Butte County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within unincorporated areas of Butte County. Sheriff warrants are issued under the authority of the Butte County Superior Court in accordance with California Penal Code § 813 for arrest warrants and § 1523 for search warrants.
The Sheriff's Warrant Division maintains a database of active warrants and coordinates with other law enforcement agencies for warrant service. Types of warrants executed by the Sheriff's Office include:
Individuals with questions regarding Sheriff's warrants may contact the Warrant Division directly at (530) 538-7321. The Sheriff's Office also maintains a warrant database that is updated regularly in compliance with California Penal Code § 850.
As of 2025, Butte County has implemented enhanced digital systems for warrant verification in accordance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, which governs electronic access to court records. Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status have multiple options:
The Butte County Superior Court offers an online case information portal where members of the public may search for case information, including active warrants. This system provides access to non-confidential, non-sealed case types including criminal matters.
For those unable to access online resources, the following in-person options remain available:
Pursuant to California Penal Code § 980(a), individuals with outstanding warrants are encouraged to address them promptly. The Traffic Division of the Butte County Superior Court notes that failure to respond to citations may result in the issuance of arrest warrants or driver's license holds.
Outstanding warrants in Butte County may be verified through established procedures that comply with California Government Code § 6253. The verification process requires specific identifying information to ensure accurate results:
To conduct an outstanding warrant search, individuals must provide:
Methods for conducting outstanding warrant searches include:
The California Judicial Council, pursuant to Rules of Court 10.500, has established that court records, including warrant information, shall be made reasonably accessible to all persons. However, certain limitations may apply to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations.