# Is there a free online warrant search system?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 12, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161 "2006-11-12T23:01:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161/1 "2006-11-12T23:01:42Z")

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Can I see if someone I know has a warrant for their arrest in the state of Maryland \*\*for free \*\*anywhere online?

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161/2 "2006-11-13T00:33:07Z")

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It appears that the [Maryland Judiciary Case Search](http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/processDisclaimer.jis) only returns cases that have gone to trial.

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**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161/3 "2006-11-13T02:36:15Z")

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Yeah, I checked there earlier, but no luck. ☹

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**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161/4 "2006-11-13T03:08:44Z")

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[QUOTE=diggleblop]  
Can I see if someone I know has a warrant for their arrest in the state of Maryland \*\*for free \*\*anywhere online?  
[/QUOTE]

My WAG is that the police’s computerized database information as to outstanding warrants is confidential because they don’t want suspects to flee, even if the warrant itself may be public information, as happens when a criminal defendant doesn’t show up for a court date and the court issues a bench warrant for his arrest.

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**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-free-online-warrant-search-system/380161/5 "2006-11-13T04:19:35Z")

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Good point.