How to Conduct a Kansas Warrant Search

Criminal laws in the various states have been modeled on the dictates of the U.S. Constitution. This holds true for the laws governing search and arrest warrants in the states. The rules laid down in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution have shaped the warrant laws in the states and encompass these facets: who is authorized to issue the warrant, the information that shall be contained in the warrant, the powers that the warrant imparts on law enforcement officials, when can the warrant be issued, when it is valid, and exceptions to the warrant.

Like all other states, in Kansas a search or arrest warrant can be issued only if there exists a probable cause. A probable cause is a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed or is underway and that the suspected individual was or is involved in it. This belief must be proven by tangible facts.

You may need to carry out a Kansas warrant search for quite a few reasons: to confirm if any search or arrest warrant has been issued against you; to run a background criminal check if you are suspicious of any person; to ensure your safety and that of your family members and your belongings from the intrusions of little known persons–your new employee, a dinner date with a casual acquaintance, your new neighbor, or the new gardener. Before you allow people to enter your life or your property, it is always safe to check if they have ever had warrants issued against them and how serious the offense was.

A Kansas warrant search is easy; most records are hosted online by government agencies, unless ordered sealed by the court.

Accessing Kansas Warrant Records

Many Kansas cities and counties post warrant information on their official websites, which may be accessed by the public. For instance, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office maintains and updates information on active arrest warrants on this site: https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/SheriffWarrants/WarrantNameSearchForm.aspx. However, the office cautions against using this information for legal purposes, as they do not lay claim to the fidelity and completeness of the information. If you have any queries regarding the warrants or possess information on the whereabouts of someone you have identified from the warrant search, get in touch with the Sheriff’s Office at (316) 383-7464 or (800) 874-6449.

The city of Wichita posts warrant information on this site: http://services.wichita.gov/services/warrant.asp.

Information in the Warrants

Most public databases containing information on warrants also provide mugshots of the individuals on record. However, when you are carrying out a Kansas warrant search, do keep in mind that the actual physical characteristics of a person may be quite different from that depicted in the mugshot. These differences may have resulted for a number of reasons: the person may have deliberately altered his hair color and style, may have started wearing colored contact lenses or sporting facial hair, or has a new tattoo. The lapse of time may also mean that the person may have gained in height and weight.

It is a good idea to conduct a Kansas warrant search on dubious individuals, but you should remember that this information is issued only in the interest of public safety.