Criminal Records
How To Find Wanted Criminals
Search public wanted-person bulletins and warrant listings, verify court docket indicators, and request confirmation from the issuing agency, using name, DOB, aliases, and location filters to narrow results.
Trending:
Warrants
Most Wanted
Fugitives
Arrest Records
Page Guide:
Quick Overview
locate active wanted listings or warrant status
First Source To Check
Public wanted-person pages from local police or sheriff and state police; use federal wanted lists for major or interstate cases.
Commonly Searchable Online
Wanted bulletins with photos and identifiers, some sheriff warrant rosters, and many trial court dockets showing warrant issuance indicators.
Usually Requires Agency Response
Definitive active/served/cancelled warrant status, pickup radius or extradition, and arrestability confirmation; often requires contacting the issuing agency or court.
Not the Same as Criminal History
Wanted postings and warrants are pre-arrest or pre-adjudication indicators and are not conviction records or certified court dispositions.
Start Here
- Start with identifying whether you need a wanted-person bulletin, an active arrest warrant entry, or a court docket warrant flag.
- Search public wanted lists from local police or sheriff, state police, and applicable federal agencies.
- Check trial court portals for case and warrant indicators by name or case number where available.
- Verify status with the issuing agency before relying on any bulletin or third-party listing.
- Use offense category and location filters to narrow common-name results.
Record To Source Routing
- Wanted-person bulletin → Law-enforcement wanted/Most Wanted pages (local, state, federal).
- Active arrest warrant status → Sheriff or police warrant lookup or records unit.
- Bench/arrest warrant tied to a case → Trial court docket or clerk records portal.
- Federal fugitive case → Federal agency wanted lists and tip lines.
Search Inputs
- Record category: Wanted Person or Active Warrant
- Jurisdiction filter: Federal / State / Local
- Full name and known aliases
- Date of birth or age range
- Case or warrant number
- Offense category or charge keyword
Source Map
| Where To Check | Best For | How To Search | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law-enforcement wanted-person bulletin pages (local/state) | Current wanted notices, photos, identifiers, and contact instructions | Public browse/search | Directly maintained by the agency; updates originate there; not a conviction record |
| Sheriff or police warrant lookup / records unit | Open local arrest warrants and service/recall status | Public search where offered; otherwise phone or written request | Issuing agency controls execution details and current enforceability |
| Trial court docket or clerk portal | Warrant issuance entries, case numbers, and calendar status | Name or case number search; some require account or on-site access | Court record confirms whether a warrant was authorized in a case |
| Federal agency wanted lists (e.g., FBI, U.S. Marshals) | Federal fugitives and interstate or violent offense cases | Public browse/search with filters | Separate channel from local postings; may include interstate apprehension notes |
| Commercial people-search/background tools | Identity resolution, prior addresses, and alias discovery to target the correct jurisdiction | Paid search; aggregates public-record datasets | Reduces false matches before contacting an agency or court |
Questions and Answers
What exact record should I search for first?
Decide between a wanted-person bulletin, an active arrest warrant entry, or a court docket warrant flag. These differ from arrest records and conviction histories.
Can I confirm an active warrant online?
Some jurisdictions publish warrant rosters or show warrant indicators in court dockets. Final confirmation of active, served, or recalled status usually requires the issuing agency or court.
Are wanted lists national?
No single nationwide list covers all cases. Check federal lists for federal fugitives, then state police and local police or sheriff pages for jurisdiction-specific postings.
Does a wanted posting mean the person was convicted?
No. A wanted listing or arrest warrant is a pre-adjudication step and is not proof of conviction.