Franklin County Warrant Records
Franklin County warrant records are kept by the sheriff and the circuit court in Union, Missouri. If you need to search for an active warrant or check on a bench warrant tied to a missed court date, Franklin County has both online and in-person options for finding that information. The sheriff posts arrest warrant data on a public site, and the state court system lets you look up case files that include warrant details. This page covers how to search Franklin County warrant records and what you can expect from each source.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Sheriff Warrant Search
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency that serves warrants in this part of Missouri. Deputies carry out arrest warrants issued by the circuit court and handle new bookings at the jail. The office sits at 1 Bruns Dr in Union. You can call them at (636) 583-2560 to ask about a specific warrant or check the status of a case. The sheriff also runs an inmate search tool that shows who is held at the jail and why.
The sheriff maintains a list of active arrest warrants that you can find on their site. Visit franklincountydetentionmo.org to search for warrants in Franklin County. This page shows names, charges, and warrant types. It gets updated as new warrants come in and old ones get served or recalled. Not every warrant will show up here, though. Some sealed warrants or those tied to ongoing cases may not appear in the public list.
If you want to turn yourself in on a Franklin County warrant, call the sheriff first. They can tell you the bond amount and what to expect. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID with you.
| Office | Franklin County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Bruns Dr, Union, MO 63084 |
| Phone | (636) 583-2560 |
| Warrant Search | franklincountydetentionmo.org |
Franklin County Court Warrant Records
The Franklin County Circuit Court handles all felony and misdemeanor cases in the 20th Judicial Circuit. Judges issue arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants through this court. The circuit clerk keeps the files for every case and tracks warrant status from the time it is issued until it gets served or canceled. The courthouse is at 401 E Main St in Union, and you can visit in person to ask about warrant records tied to a specific case.
Missouri Case.net is the best free tool for searching Franklin County court records online. This state database covers all 114 counties and lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. When a judge in Franklin County issues a warrant, that information often shows up in the case file on Case.net. You can use Missouri Case.net to check for pending charges, court dates, and warrant details without leaving your home. The system is free and does not need an account for basic searches.
Under RSMo 542.040, a sworn complaint must be filed before a judge can issue an arrest warrant in Franklin County. The complaint needs to show probable cause that a crime took place and that the named person did it. This rule applies to all warrants in Missouri, and Franklin County courts follow it closely. Bench warrants work a bit differently. A judge can issue one on their own when someone fails to show up for court or breaks a condition of their release.
Note: Case.net does not show sealed cases or juvenile records from Franklin County.
Franklin County Circuit Clerk Office
The Franklin County Circuit Clerk manages all court documents in the 20th Judicial Circuit. This includes warrant records, case files, and court orders. The clerk processes new filings and keeps track of every document in a case from start to finish. If you need a certified copy of a warrant or court order from Franklin County, you request it through this office.
You can also reach the Franklin County Clerk at 400 E Locust, Room 201, Union, MO 63084 by phone at (636) 583-6355 or by email at clerk@franklinmo.gov. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Staff can help you pull records and answer questions about the status of warrants tied to cases in their system. Fees for copies vary, so ask when you call or visit.
Warrant Types in Franklin County
Franklin County courts issue several kinds of warrants. Each one serves a different purpose under Missouri law. The most common are arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants. Understanding which type you are dealing with matters because each has its own rules for how it gets issued and served.
An arrest warrant in Franklin County comes from a judge after a prosecutor files charges. Under RSMo 544.050, the warrant must name the person, describe the offense, and direct law enforcement to bring that person before the court. Arrest warrants do not expire in Missouri. They stay active until the person is found and brought in, or until a judge recalls the warrant. Franklin County deputies serve most warrants in the area, but any Missouri law enforcement officer can carry out the arrest.
Bench warrants get issued when someone misses a court date or violates a court order. The judge does not need a new complaint for this. Bench warrants in Franklin County lead to arrest and a hearing before the judge who issued the order. Bond may or may not be set, depending on the original charge and the reason for the missed appearance.
Search warrants allow officers to look through a specific place for evidence of a crime. Under RSMo 542.060, a judge in Franklin County must find probable cause before signing one. These warrants are usually sealed while the search is being carried out but become part of the public record after the case moves forward.
Clearing Franklin County Warrants
If you have an active warrant in Franklin County, there are a few ways to deal with it. The simplest option is to turn yourself in at the sheriff's office in Union. Call (636) 583-2560 ahead of time to find out the bond amount. You may be able to post bond right away and leave the same day, depending on the charge. For more serious cases, a judge may need to set bond at your first hearing.
Another option is to hire a lawyer to file a motion to quash the warrant. Under RSMo 543.210, a defendant can ask the court to withdraw a warrant if there is good cause. This sometimes works for bench warrants tied to minor offenses in Franklin County, especially if you can show that you missed court for a valid reason. Your attorney can appear on your behalf in some cases, which means you may not have to sit in jail while waiting for a hearing.
The Missouri State Public Defender can help if you cannot afford a lawyer. They serve Franklin County through the 20th Judicial Circuit office. Call (573) 636-3633 for their hotline.
More Franklin County Warrant Resources
Beyond the sheriff and the court, there are other tools that can help you search for Franklin County warrant records. The Missouri State Highway Patrol runs the MACHS system, which provides criminal history checks that may include warrant data. You can access it through the MACHS portal. Fees start at $14 for a name-based search. This is a statewide database, so it picks up records from Franklin County along with every other county in Missouri.
VINE Link is another useful tool. It lets you track inmates and get alerts when someone's custody status changes. You can search by name or ID number at vinelink.com. This works for people held at the Franklin County Jail or any other facility in Missouri. Victims of crime often use this service to stay informed about offenders tied to their case.
The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search covers people in state prison or on parole. It does not list county jail inmates, but if someone from Franklin County was sentenced to state time, you can find them here. The database shows sentence length, release dates, and current facility information.
Note: Always verify warrant information with the Franklin County Sheriff or Circuit Clerk before taking any action based on online search results.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Franklin County in Missouri. If you are not sure where a warrant was issued, check with the sheriff or circuit clerk in each neighboring county. Warrants are filed in the county where the alleged crime took place.