Alaska Warrant Search

A warrant is a court order that directs a law enforcement (police) officer to conduct a specific task. These tasks are generally related to criminal justice processes such as arresting an individual for an alleged crime and searching a premises to locate a wanted person or due to suspected criminal activities. In Alaska, warrants are issued at the discretion of a judge, typically upon the request of a law enforcement officer.

An Alaska warrant search provides researchers with details about active warrants issued by the Alaska state court system. These details include the warrant’s subject personal information (e.g., full name, sex, and age), bail amount (if applicable), offense/charge description, warrant type (felony or misdemeanor), and warrant number.

Interested persons can conduct a warrant search in Alaska through Alaska State Troopers and local municipal or borough police departments. Alternatively, inquirers can review court records to check for warrants that may have been issued in a specific case. Record seekers can also conduct background checks through the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS). An Alaska DPS background check reveals a subject criminal history in the state, which includes warrants issued against them.

Are Warrants Public Records in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska warrants are subject to the provisions of the Alaska Public Records Act “APRA” (AS Sec. 40.25.100). Under the APRA, public agencies must make certain records they maintain, including warrants records, public. As a result, anyone can obtain warrant records by querying relevant public agencies in Alaska, such as local law enforcement agencies and courts.

However, certain exceptions outlined in the APRA and other applicable statutes may limit public access warrant records. For instance, per Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 37(e), a search warrant records remains sealed until the warrant is identified in a charging document or a notice filed by the prosecutor. Furthermore, per AS Sec. 40.25.120, a warrant record may be withheld from being public if the record pertains to a juvenile or if its disclose would:

• Interfere with enforcement proceedings
• Reveal the identity of a confidential source.
• Endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.
• Deprive an individual of their right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication
• Constitute an unwarranted invasion of a suspect, defendant, victim, or witness personal privacy.

Types of Warrants in Alaska

Some common types of warrants issued in Alaska include:

Arrest warrants: an arrest warrant is a court order that directs a law enforcement officer to arrest and bring an individual to court to answer for an alleged crime they are accused of committing.

Search warrants: a search warrant is a written order issued by a judge or magistrate that permits a law enforcement officer to search a specific place or person and seize any evidence of a crime.

Bench warrants: a bench warrant is a court order that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest individuals for specific offenses they have committed. These offenses are generally related to violations of court rules such as being in contempt of court, failing to appear for a summon, or failing to comply with a court order.

What is a Search Warrant in Alaska?

Per AS 12.35.120, a search warrant is a court order signed by a judge, magistrate, or at the direction of a judicial officer that directs a peace officer to search for personal property. Once found, the property would be seized and brought before a judge or magistrate.

In Alaska, search warrants are typically issued at the request of a peace officer provided probable cause (legally reasonable grounds for the search) for a search can be established. According to AS Sec 12.35.020, some legal grounds under which a search warrant may be issued in Alaska include the following:

• A property was stolen or embezzled
• A property was utilized to commit a crime
• The person in possession of a property intends to use it in facilitating a crime or has transferred it to another person to conceal it from being discovered
• A property can serve as evidence of a particular crime

Peace officers typically request search warrants by submitting a search warrant affidavit (a sample of the affidavit) to relevant authorities (i.e. a magistrate, judge, or judicial officer) with juridical authority over the matter. Per AS Sec. 12.35.015, search warrant requests can also made via sworn oral testimony. Regardless of the request method, probable cause for the warrant must always be established. Under AS Sec. 12.35.060, a person who issues and executes a search warrant without probable cause is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Once a search warrant has been issued, it must be executed within 30 days of its issuance date between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., unless the issuing authority states otherwise. Once executed, the warrant must be returned to the issuing authority.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant?

In Alaska, there is no definite timeframe for getting a search warrant. Per AS Sec. 12.35.010, appropriate authorities only issue a search warrant when the requester (typically a peace officer) shows probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation, for the warrant. Hence, the time it takes to get a search warrant is largely determined by how long it takes the requester to persuade the issuing authority that there is sufficient probable cause to justify the warrant's issuance. This can take mere minutes, hours, or days.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Alaska?

According to the Alaska Court System Glossary, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a court directing law enforcement officers to arrest a specific person and bring them to court. Like most types of warrants in Alaska, arrest warrants are typically issued at the request of law enforcement officers. They usually request an arrest warrant by submitting a complaint, wherein probable cause is established for the warrant’s issuance, to a local judge or magistrate. Upon reviewing the complaint, if the judge or magistrate is sufficiently convinced of the need for the warrant, they would grant the arrest warrant. Once issued, the arrest warrant can be executed anywhere within Alaska.

If an individual finds out that an arrest warrant has been issued against them in Alaska, the primary way to resolve the arrest warrant is to turn oneself over to law enforcement. In certain cases, the option to post bail may be provided. Alternatively, a warrant’s subject can have their arrest warrant quashed by petitioning a court with appropriate jurisdiction over their case. However, there is no guarantee that the court will grant their petition.

Arrest Warrant Lookup in Alaska

Relevant Alaskan authorities do not maintain a central database that interested persons can query to look up arrest warrants issued in the state. Rather, interested persons can look up arrest warrants in Alaska by individually querying relevant public agencies responsible for issuing and executing arrest warrants, such as local law enforcement agencies and courts. These agencies typically provide information about active arrests they have issued or are responsible for executing through different channels they maintain. Some of the most prominent ways to look up arrest warrants in Alaska include the following:

• Local law enforcement agencies: some law enforcement agencies in Alaska provide online resources that record seekers can use to look up arrest warrants they are responsible for executing. These resources are typically accessible through the agency’s official website. Some examples include the Alaska State Troopers Active Warrants page and the Fairbank Police Department Warrant list. In cases where an agency does not provide online resources inquirers can use to look up relevant arrest warrant information, interested persons may contact or visit the agency to make inquiries.
• Local courts: interested persons can look up arrest warrant records through local courts by reviewing a court case’s records to find out if an arrest warrant was issued in the case. Fortunately, the Alaska Court System provides a central online case search portal interested persons can use to find court records. Searches can be conducted on the portal using a subject’s name, case number, or ticket/citation number. Alternatively, inquirers can query local court clerk’s offices directly to find public information about arrest warrants their court may have issued.
• Third-party websites: Some third-party websites provide services that allow users to look up public arrest warrants complied from relevant Alaskan agencies. Note that these services are usually subject to certain fees or subscriptions.

How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Alaska

In Alaska, interested individuals can find out if any type of warrant has been issued against them through two government channels: the issuing court and the law enforcement agency responsible for executing the warrant.

To find warrants through issuing courts, interested persons can review court records of open court cases they have in the state to find out if a warrant has been issued in their court case. This can be done through the Alaska Court System Case Search portal or by querying a local court clerk’s office for court records.

On the other hand, Alaska law enforcement agencies usually maintain records of warrants they are responsible for executing. In line with the provisions of the APRA, local law enforcement agencies usually make warrant records they maintain publicly accessible. Some agencies publish their warrant records online on their official website. For instance, interested persons can find information about warrants the Alaska State Troopers are responsible for executing through the agency’s Active Warrants page. In situations where an agency does not provide online resources that can be used to look up information warrants they maintain, record seekers can contact or visit the agency in person to make inquiries.

It is worth noting that individuals who opt to visit a law enforcement agency to inquire about warrants risk being arrested if an active warrant is discovered against them.

Free Warrant Search in Alaska

Interested persons can conduct free warrant searches in Alaska through online resources provided by local law enforcement agencies and the Alaska court system. These resources are usually a searchable online database or a compiled list of warrants. For searchable databases, searches are conducted using an individual’s name, case number, location details, or ticket/citation number.

Alternatively, interested persons can contact or pay relevant agencies an in-person visit to conduct warrant searches.

How to Find Out If Someone Has A Warrant Online

As previously explained, interested persons can look up warrant information online in Alaska through online resources provided by the Alaska Court System and some local law enforcement agencies. These online resources are usually searchable using an individual’s name, case number, location details, or ticket/citation number. In some cases, these online resources are provided as a list containing information about active warrants.

Besides traditional government channels, interested persons can also conduct active Alaska warrant searches through certain third-party websites. These websites are maintained by private entities or individuals that compile public warrant information and records collected from relevant agencies in Alaska into a searchable database hosted on their website. Warrant searches on most third-party websites are conducted using an individual’s name. Note that searches are usually subject to a fee or subscription.

How Long Do Warrants Last in Alaska?

Other types of warrants do not have a statute of limitation in Alaska. Besides search warrants that must be executed within 30 days of their issuance, warrants can remain active until they are resolved, recalled by the issuing court, or their subject dies.