Warrants are public records in Colton, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that government documents, including warrants, must be accessible to the public to maintain transparency and accountability within public institutions. The Act specifically mandates that records created, used, or maintained by public agencies shall be available for inspection, unless explicitly exempted by law.
In Colton, as throughout San Bernardino County, individuals have the legal right to access warrant information, including arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants. This accessibility serves multiple public interests, including:
The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b)(1) further reinforces this right by stating: "The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business."
Several official resources are available for locating warrant information online in Colton:
Colton Police Department: The department maintains records of local warrants and may provide limited online access through their official website.
Colton Police Department
650 N. La Cadena Drive
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 370-5000
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department: As the primary law enforcement agency for San Bernardino County, the Sheriff's Department maintains a comprehensive database of warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
655 E. Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 387-3545
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino: The court system maintains records of all judicial proceedings, including issued warrants.
San Bernardino Justice Center
247 West Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 384-1888
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, electronic access to court records must be provided to the extent feasible, though certain limitations may apply to criminal proceedings.
To determine whether a warrant has been issued in your name in Colton as of 2025, the following official channels are available:
Online Verification Systems: The Colton Police Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintain searchable databases that may be accessed through their respective websites. These systems typically require personal identifiers such as full name and date of birth.
Direct Inquiry with Law Enforcement: Individuals may contact the Colton Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to inquire about warrant status.
Colton Police Department Records Division
650 N. La Cadena Drive
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 370-5000
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Court Records Search: The San Bernardino County Superior Court maintains a case information system that includes warrant data. Pursuant to California Government Code § 68150, court records must be maintained in accessible formats.
Inmate Locator Service: If a warrant has resulted in an arrest, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Inmate Locator service can confirm detention status.
Under California Penal Code § 980, warrants remain in effect until executed or recalled by the issuing court, regardless of time elapsed since issuance.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Colton may be accomplished through several authorized channels:
In-Person Records Request: Citizens may submit a formal records request at the Colton Police Department headquarters. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, the department must respond to requests within 10 days.
Colton Police Department
650 N. La Cadena Drive
Colton, CA 92324
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
County-Level Search: The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains a comprehensive warrant database for all jurisdictions within the county, including Colton.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Records Division
655 E. Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 387-3545
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Court Records Division: The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino provides access to warrant information through its Records Division.
San Bernardino Justice Center
247 West Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 384-1888
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Public Records Request: Formal requests may be submitted through the City of Colton's public records portal in accordance with Government Code § 6253.
California Penal Code § 1541 requires that all warrants be executed with due diligence and returned to the issuing court, creating an official record that becomes available for public inspection.
Warrant records maintained by Colton authorities and San Bernardino County typically contain the following information as required by California Penal Code § 815:
Subject Identification: Full legal name of the individual for whom the warrant is issued, along with other identifying information such as date of birth, physical description, and last known address.
Case Number: The unique identifier assigned to the case by the issuing court.
Warrant Classification: Designation of the warrant type (arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant) as defined in California Penal Code §§ 813-817.
Issuing Authority: The judicial officer and court that authorized the warrant, including date of issuance and judicial signature.
Statutory Violation: Citation of the California Penal Code section or municipal code allegedly violated.
Bail Information: If applicable, the predetermined bail amount set by the court in accordance with the San Bernardino County Bail Schedule.
Service Status: Indication of whether the warrant remains active or has been executed.
Jurisdictional Limitations: Geographic boundaries within which the warrant may be executed, as specified in California Penal Code § 816.
Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1534, search warrants and their supporting affidavits become public records after execution and return to the issuing court.
Individuals seeking warrant information in Colton may utilize the following official resources:
Colton Police Department Wanted Persons: The department maintains a database of individuals with active warrants within city jurisdiction.
Superior Court of California, San Bernardino County 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 384-1888
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 655 E. Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 387-3545
Colton City Clerk's Office 650 N. La Cadena Drive Colton, CA 92324 (909) 370-5191
California Government Code § 6254(f) establishes that certain law enforcement records, including warrant information, shall be disclosed to the public unless specific exemptions apply. The California Public Records Act further requires that agencies assist requestors in making focused and effective requests that reasonably describe identifiable records.