Burlington County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Burlington County?
A search warrant in Burlington County is a legal document issued by a judge or judicial officer that authorizes law enforcement officials to search a specifically designated location and seize particular items described in the warrant. Search warrants are fundamental legal instruments that balance the government's interest in investigating crimes against citizens' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Pursuant to New Jersey Court Rule 3:5-3, search warrants must be based on probable cause supported by oath or affirmation. The legal foundation for search warrants stems from the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I, Paragraph 7 of the New Jersey Constitution, both of which protect citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Search warrants in Burlington County differ from other types of warrants in several important ways:
- Search Warrant: Authorizes the search of a specific location and seizure of specific items
- Arrest Warrant: Authorizes law enforcement to take a person into custody
- Bench Warrant: Issued by a judge when someone fails to appear for a court date or violates court orders
Under N.J.S.A. § 2A:84A-21.6, search warrants must particularly describe both the place to be searched and the items to be seized, ensuring that law enforcement's authority to search is appropriately limited in scope.
Are Warrants Public Records In Burlington County?
Warrants in Burlington County have a complex status regarding public accessibility. Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., government records are generally accessible to the public. However, warrants are subject to specific limitations and exemptions.
The public record status of warrants depends on several factors:
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Active vs. Executed Warrants: Active warrants (those not yet served) are typically not public records as their disclosure could impede law enforcement operations and potentially endanger officers executing the warrant.
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Sealed vs. Unsealed Warrants: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:84A-21.4, courts may seal warrant materials if disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, reveal confidential information, or endanger individuals.
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Criminal Investigatory Records Exemption: Under OPRA, records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations are exempt from public disclosure.
Once a warrant has been executed and the related investigation has concluded, the warrant and supporting documents may become accessible through the Burlington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, unless specifically sealed by court order.
Burlington County Superior Court
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-518-2600
New Jersey Courts
How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Burlington County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an outstanding warrant in Burlington County may utilize several official channels. The Burlington County Sheriff's Office maintains warrant information and provides verification services to the public.
To check for outstanding warrants:
- Contact the Burlington County Sheriff's Office directly by phone or in person.
Burlington County Sheriff's Office
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5127
Burlington County Sheriff
- Visit the Burlington County Courthouse and inquire at the Criminal Division Records Office.
Burlington County Superior Court, Criminal Division
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-518-2600
New Jersey Courts
- Check the New Jersey Judiciary Public Access System for certain warrant information that may be available online.
The New Jersey Judiciary provides limited public access to court records through its Public Access System. However, not all warrant information is accessible through this system, particularly for active warrants.
When making inquiries about warrants, individuals should be prepared to provide personal identifying information, including full legal name, date of birth, and possibly a Social Security number for verification purposes.
How To Check for Warrants in Burlington County for Free in 2026
Members of the public may check for warrants in Burlington County without incurring fees through several official channels. The following methods provide free access to warrant information:
- Burlington County Sheriff's Office Warrant Search:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Provide proper identification
- Request a warrant check
Burlington County Sheriff's Office
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5127
Burlington County Sheriff
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New Jersey Judiciary Electronic Portal:
- Access the New Jersey Courts Public Access portal
- Navigate to the case search function
- Enter required personal information
- Review any listed cases or warrants
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Municipal Court Inquiries:
- Contact the municipal court where the alleged violation occurred
- Provide personal identifying information
- Request information about any outstanding warrants
When utilizing these free resources, individuals should understand that certain limitations apply. Not all warrant information may be publicly accessible, particularly for recently issued warrants or those related to ongoing investigations. Additionally, pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:161A-8, some warrant information may be restricted to protect the integrity of investigations.
What Types of Warrants In Burlington County
Burlington County courts issue several distinct types of warrants, each serving a specific legal purpose within the criminal justice system:
Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody. Arrest warrants are typically issued after a formal complaint has been filed or an indictment returned.
Bench Warrants: Judicial orders issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates court orders. Common reasons include:
- Failure to appear for arraignment, trial, or sentencing
- Non-compliance with court-ordered programs
- Failure to pay court-ordered fines or fees
Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified premises and seize particular items described in the warrant. These require probable cause and judicial approval.
Child Support Warrants: Issued when an individual is significantly delinquent in court-ordered child support payments.
Fugitive Warrants: Issued when an individual is wanted in another jurisdiction and is believed to be in Burlington County.
Material Witness Warrants: Rarely issued orders to secure testimony from witnesses who are deemed crucial to a case but unwilling to appear voluntarily.
Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements established under New Jersey law and court rules. The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office and local law enforcement agencies coordinate the execution of these various warrants according to established protocols and priorities.
What Warrants in Burlington County Contain
Warrants issued in Burlington County contain specific information mandated by New Jersey law and court rules. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:161A-1, warrants must include particular elements to be legally valid.
A standard Burlington County warrant contains:
- Case Number: Unique identifier assigned to the case
- Defendant Information: Full legal name, date of birth, and last known address
- Issuing Authority: Name and title of the judge or judicial officer who issued the warrant
- Date of Issuance: When the warrant was signed and became effective
- Charges: Specific criminal statutes allegedly violated, including degree of offense
- Factual Basis: Brief description of the alleged criminal conduct
- Bond Information: Amount and type of bail, if applicable
- Return Information: Instructions for law enforcement regarding execution and return of the warrant
For search warrants specifically, additional required elements include:
- Location Description: Detailed description of the premises to be searched
- Items to be Seized: Particular description of evidence or contraband sought
- Time Restrictions: Any limitations on when the search may be conducted
- Probable Cause Statement: Summary of facts establishing probable cause
The New Jersey Supreme Court has established that warrants must be specific enough to guide law enforcement officers in their execution while protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures. Warrants lacking required elements may be challenged in court as legally deficient.
Who Issues Warrants In Burlington County
In Burlington County, the authority to issue warrants is vested in specific judicial officers as prescribed by New Jersey law. The following officials possess the legal authority to issue warrants:
Superior Court Judges: Judges of the Burlington County Superior Court have broad authority to issue all types of warrants, including arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants. These judges preside at the Burlington County Courthouse.
Burlington County Superior Court
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-518-2600
New Jersey Courts
Municipal Court Judges: Judges presiding over the 40 municipal courts in Burlington County have authority to issue warrants related to matters within their jurisdiction, including disorderly persons offenses, traffic violations, and certain preliminary matters in indictable offenses.
Court-Authorized Judicial Officers: In certain circumstances, court rules permit designated judicial officers, such as certain court administrators, to issue specific types of warrants, particularly for failure to appear.
The issuance of warrants follows strict procedural requirements. For search warrants, pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 33:1-58, the judicial officer must find probable cause based on sworn testimony or affidavits before authorizing the warrant. This determination typically occurs after review of an application submitted by law enforcement or prosecutors.
The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office often works with law enforcement agencies to prepare warrant applications, ensuring they meet legal standards before presentation to the appropriate judicial authority.
Burlington County Prosecutor's Office
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5035
Burlington County Prosecutor
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Burlington County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Burlington County may utilize several official channels to conduct their search. The following methods provide access to warrant information:
Burlington County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains records of active warrants and can provide verification upon request.
Burlington County Sheriff's Office
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5127
Burlington County Sheriff
To check for outstanding warrants through the Sheriff's Office:
- Visit in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Call the warrant division directly
- Provide proper identification and personal information
Burlington County Superior Court: The Criminal Division Records Office can provide information about outstanding warrants issued by the Superior Court.
Burlington County Superior Court, Criminal Division
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-518-2600
New Jersey Courts
Municipal Courts: For warrants related to municipal ordinances, traffic violations, or disorderly persons offenses, contact the specific municipal court where the alleged violation occurred.
When conducting a warrant search, individuals should be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name (including any aliases or former names)
- Date of birth
- Address history
- Social Security number (for verification purposes)
For third-party searches, access may be limited due to privacy considerations. Attorneys, bail bondsmen, and other authorized parties may have greater access to warrant information through professional channels.
How To Check Federal Warrants In Burlington County
Federal warrants operate under a separate system from county and state warrants in Burlington County. These warrants are issued by federal judges or magistrates for violations of federal law and are executed by federal law enforcement agencies.
To check for federal warrants:
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey: The federal court serving Burlington County maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction.
U.S. District Court, Camden Vicinage
Mitchell H. Cohen Building & U.S. Courthouse
4th & Cooper Streets
Camden, NJ 08101
856-757-5021
U.S. District Court of New Jersey
Individuals may:
- Contact the Clerk's Office during business hours (8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday)
- Provide proper identification
- Request information about possible federal warrants
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies: Agencies that execute federal warrants include:
U.S. Marshals Service - Camden Office
Mitchell H. Cohen Building & U.S. Courthouse
4th & Cooper Streets
Camden, NJ 08101
856-757-5026
U.S. Marshals Service
The U.S. Marshals Service maintains the federal warrant database and is the primary agency responsible for executing federal arrest warrants.
Important considerations regarding federal warrant searches:
- Federal agencies typically do not provide warrant information over the phone
- In-person inquiries require proper identification
- Active federal warrants may not be disclosed if doing so could compromise an investigation
- An attorney can often obtain more complete information about possible federal warrants
Under federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 3142, certain information about federal warrants becomes public record once the warrant has been executed, unless sealed by court order.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Burlington County?
Warrants issued in Burlington County remain valid and enforceable until they are executed, recalled by the issuing court, or otherwise resolved through legal processes. Unlike some legal documents, warrants do not have built-in expiration dates under New Jersey law.
The duration of different warrant types follows these general principles:
Arrest Warrants: Remain active indefinitely until the named individual is apprehended or the warrant is withdrawn by court order. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:160-7, there is no statutory time limit on arrest warrants in New Jersey.
Bench Warrants: Continue in effect until the court recalls them or the individual appears before the court to address the underlying issue.
Search Warrants: While the warrant itself does not expire, N.J.S.A. § 33:1-61 requires that search warrants be executed within 10 days of issuance. After this period, the warrant is considered stale and must be reissued if the search is still necessary.
Important considerations regarding warrant duration:
- The statute of limitations for the underlying offense does not affect the validity of an issued warrant
- Warrants remain in law enforcement databases indefinitely
- Interstate warrants (for fugitives who have left New Jersey) remain active across state lines
- Federal involvement may be sought for long-standing warrants in serious cases
The Burlington County Sheriff's Office periodically reviews outstanding warrants and may prioritize execution based on factors including the severity of the alleged offense, public safety considerations, and available resources.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Burlington County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Burlington County varies based on several factors, including case urgency, judicial availability, and the complexity of the investigation. The process follows a structured sequence established by New Jersey court rules and statutes.
Under normal circumstances, the search warrant process includes:
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Preparation Phase: Law enforcement officers prepare an affidavit establishing probable cause, typically requiring several hours to compile evidence and draft the necessary documentation.
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Review by Prosecutor: The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office reviews warrant applications before submission to ensure legal sufficiency, which may take several hours to a full business day.
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Judicial Review: A judge or judicial officer reviews the application and supporting affidavits, which may occur within hours during regular court hours.
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Issuance: Upon finding probable cause, the judge signs the warrant, making it immediately executable.
The total timeframe typically ranges from several hours to several days, depending on:
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Emergency Circumstances: In urgent situations involving imminent danger or risk of evidence destruction, expedited procedures may be employed.
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Electronic Warrant System: Burlington County utilizes the electronic warrant system authorized under New Jersey Court Rule 3:5-3(b), allowing for remote submission and approval in certain circumstances.
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After-Hours Availability: Designated judges remain available for after-hours warrant applications in emergency situations.
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Complexity: Investigations involving multiple locations, technical evidence, or specialized circumstances may require additional preparation time.
Law enforcement agencies in Burlington County coordinate with the Prosecutor's Office and the courts to ensure warrant applications are processed efficiently while maintaining constitutional protections and procedural requirements.