Vermont Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant is a court order signed by a judge or magistrate that lets law enforcement arrest a person, search property, or require someone to appear in court. Warrants are meant to protect constitutional rights by making sure there is judicial approval and probable cause before these steps are taken. Although warrants are used across the country, every state, including Vermont has its own rules and procedures.

What Is a Warrant in Vermont?

In Vermont, a warrant is a court order that authorizes law enforcement to take action. Warrants can:

• Approve the arrest of someone accused of a crime..
• Allow the search and seizure of property connected to an investigation.
• Require the appearance of a person who has not followed court orders

Types of Warrants in Vermont

Vermont courts identify numerous forms of warrants, with each serving a unique purpose:

1. Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is issued by a judge when police can establish a probable cause that an offense was being perpetrated. A warrant gives police legal power to arrest the person by name.

2. Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is issued if an individual fails to appear in court for a hearing or fails to comply with a court order. Police officers may arrest the person and bring him or her before the judge.

3. Search Warrants

Search warrants give law enforcement agents the power to search specific places for evidence of a crime. Probable cause is reviewed by the court before authorizing such searches. Search warrants run out after a specified time (usually ten days)

4. Child Support Warrant

Child support warrant is an arrest warrant against one who has not paid child support as ordered by the court. Police can detain the person until the debt is paid.

5. No-Knock Warrant

This is a special search warrant permitting the police to enter a residence without first announcing their presence. Judges issue no-knock warrants only if telling them that police are present could place them in danger or cause loss of evidence.

How to Search for Warrants in Vermont

There is no public warrant database statewide in Vermont, but warrant records can be obtained from different official sources:

1. Vermont Judiciary Public Portal: Case information is publicly available online, and in a few instances, warrants related to pending cases can be accessed through this source.
2. County Sheriff’s Departments: Sheriffs keep warrant records and make warrants. There could be warrant inquiry services in bigger counties like Chittenden (Burlington), Rutland, and Washington (Montpelier).
3. Clerk of Court Offices: Clerks keep case files, and these typically contain information about warrants.
4. Municipal Police Departments: These issue warrants for misdemeanors and for city ordinance infractions within their own municipal jurisdiction.
5. Vermont State Police (VSP): The VSP does have statewide law enforcement records, but warrant data is not usually available.
6. Third-Party Background Check Providers: Commercial databases do have Vermont warrant information, but legitimate verification must be from courts or sheriffs.

Warrant Records in Major Vermont Counties and Cities

Because Vermont uses a county-based system, procedures vary:

• Burlington (Chittenden County): The Chittenden County Sheriff's Department and Superior Court process warrants. The Judiciary Public Portal can also be used to obtain case information.
• Rutland (Rutland County): Rutland County Sheriff's Office processes warrants, while the clerk office keeps the case files.
• Montpelier (Washington County): Washington County Sheriff's Department processes warrants, while the Superior Court handles court records.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Vermont?

The process depends on the warrant type:

• Arrest Warrants: Police may arrest the subject at any time. After booking, the individual must appear before a judge, where bail or release conditions are determined.
• Bench Warrants: Failure to appear in court or comply with orders typically results in immediate arrest and possible fines or jail.
• Search Warrants: Officers must execute searches within 10 days, seizing only items described in the warrant. Evidence may be used in court proceedings.

Clearing a warrant in Vermont usually involves:

• Appearing voluntarily in court.
• Retaining an attorney to secure a surrender or negotiate bail.
• Pay any outstanding fines or obeying prior court orders.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Vermont?

In Vermont, most warrants remain valid until resolved:

• Arrest and bench warrants do not expire. They remain active until served or recalled by the court.
• Search warrants expire within 10 days of issuance if not executed. They must be reissued if additional time is required.

A warrant may be quashed if it was issued in error, recalled if the individual meets court requirements, or cleared once it has been executed or resolved in court.

Warrants are an integral part of Vermont's justice system to provide assurance that arrests, searches, and legal orders are made under judicial approval only. They include arrest warrants for serious crimes, bench warrants for non-appearance at hearings, and civil warrants in landlord tenant or debt proceedings, all with dire consequences.

Vermonters can look for warrants through the Judiciary Public Portal, sheriff departments, or local court clerks, though the processes vary by county. Warrants do not expire and remain active until they are paid. Anyone suspecting that there is an active warrant should notify the court or contact an attorney to attend to it without delay.