Lehigh County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Lehigh County?
A search warrant in Lehigh County is a legal document issued by a judicial authority that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specifically designated location and seize particular items or evidence related to criminal activity. Search warrants are fundamental legal instruments that balance the government's interest in investigating crimes against citizens' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Under Pennsylvania law, specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 5743, search warrants must be based on probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and must particularly describe the place to be searched and the items to be seized. This aligns with both the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Search warrants in Lehigh County differ from other types of warrants in several important ways:
- Arrest Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to take a person into custody
- Bench Warrants: Issued by a judge when someone fails to appear for a court date or violates court orders
- Material Witness Warrants: Allow detention of a witness who may have crucial information about a crime
The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically Pa.R.Crim.P. 200-211, govern the issuance, execution, and return of search warrants throughout the Commonwealth, including Lehigh County.
Are Warrants Public Records In Lehigh County?
The public accessibility of warrants in Lehigh County follows a nuanced framework governed by Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and judicial policies. Whether a warrant constitutes a public record depends on its type, status, and the stage of the associated criminal proceedings.
Active warrants are generally not considered public records in Lehigh County while investigations are ongoing. This restriction stems from exemptions in Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(16)) which protects records relating to or resulting in a criminal investigation.
However, once executed and returned to the court, search warrants typically become judicial records subject to a qualified right of public access. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has recognized this principle in cases such as Commonwealth v. Fenstermaker, which established that executed search warrants are presumptively open to public inspection unless sealed by court order.
Exceptions to public access include:
- Warrants sealed by judicial order
- Warrants in juvenile proceedings
- Warrants related to grand jury investigations
- Warrants where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation
The Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records maintains warrant records that have been returned to the court and are not under seal.
How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Lehigh County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Lehigh County may utilize several official channels. The Lehigh County Sheriff's Office maintains records of active warrants and provides verification services to the public.
To check for an active warrant:
- Contact the Lehigh County Sheriff's Office directly
- Visit the Lehigh County Courthouse to inquire with the Clerk of Courts
- Check the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal
- Consult with a licensed attorney who can access this information
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-782-3175
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-782-3077
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records
When inquiring about warrant status, individuals should be prepared to provide their full legal name, date of birth, and possibly other identifying information. For privacy and security reasons, warrant information is typically only provided to the named individual or their legal representative.
How To Check for Warrants in Lehigh County for Free in 2026
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Lehigh County without incurring fees through several official channels. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides free online access to certain court records, including some warrant information.
To check for warrants at no cost:
- Access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which provides free public access to court docket information
- Use the "Docket Sheets" search function and select "Criminal" as the docket type
- Enter the name of the person for whom you're checking warrant status
- Review any cases listed for warrant information
Alternatively, individuals may:
- Call the Lehigh County Sheriff's Warrant Division at 610-782-3175
- Visit the Lehigh County Courthouse in person during regular business hours
- Contact the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records office
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-782-3000
Lehigh County Government Center
When using these free resources, be aware that not all warrant information may be available online, particularly for recently issued warrants or those under seal. For the most current and complete information, direct contact with the Sheriff's Office is recommended.
What Types of Warrants In Lehigh County
Lehigh County courts issue several distinct types of warrants, each serving a specific legal purpose within the criminal justice system. Understanding these differences is essential for both legal professionals and members of the public.
The primary warrant types issued in Lehigh County include:
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Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime, authorizing law enforcement to take that person into custody. These warrants are typically requested by police officers or prosecutors and signed by a judge or magistrate.
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Bench Warrants: Issued directly by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing, violates probation terms, or fails to comply with a court order. Bench warrants in Lehigh County are governed by Pa.R.Crim.P. 150.
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Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specific premises or property for evidence related to criminal activity. These must describe with particularity the place to be searched and items to be seized.
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Material Witness Warrants: Allow for the detention of individuals who have crucial information about a crime but are unlikely to appear voluntarily to testify.
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Capias Warrants: Special warrants issued in civil matters, such as failure to pay court-ordered child support.
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Probation Violation Warrants: Issued when an individual on probation violates the terms of their supervision.
Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements under Pennsylvania law and must be properly executed according to established legal standards.
What Warrants in Lehigh County Contain
Warrants issued in Lehigh County contain specific information mandated by Pennsylvania law to ensure legal validity and proper execution. The content requirements vary slightly by warrant type, but all must meet constitutional standards for specificity and probable cause.
Search warrants in Lehigh County must contain:
- The issuing authority's name and official title
- Date of issuance
- Description of property to be searched with reasonable particularity
- Name or description of person or place to be searched
- Items or persons to be seized
- Probable cause statement or affidavit
- Signature of the issuing authority
Arrest warrants must include:
- Name of the defendant or description if name is unknown
- Criminal charges filed against the defendant
- Date of issuance
- Signature of the issuing authority
- Bail information, if applicable
According to Pa.R.Crim.P. 513, which governs arrest warrant requirements, warrants must be supported by written affidavits establishing probable cause. These affidavits become part of the warrant package and are sworn to before the issuing authority.
Bench warrants contain:
- Defendant's name and identifying information
- Case number and charges
- Reason for the warrant (e.g., failure to appear)
- Judge's signature and date of issuance
All warrants must comply with the Fourth Amendment's requirement that they "particularly describe the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Who Issues Warrants In Lehigh County
In Lehigh County, the authority to issue warrants is vested in specific judicial officers as prescribed by Pennsylvania law. This authority is carefully regulated to ensure proper oversight of law enforcement powers.
The following judicial officers have warrant-issuing authority in Lehigh County:
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Magisterial District Judges: These locally elected judicial officers handle preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings in criminal cases. They have authority to issue arrest warrants and search warrants within their jurisdictional boundaries in Lehigh County.
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Court of Common Pleas Judges: These higher-level judges preside over major criminal and civil cases in Lehigh County. They have broad authority to issue all types of warrants, including specialized warrants that may require greater judicial scrutiny.
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Pennsylvania Superior Court Judges: In limited circumstances, these appellate judges may issue warrants related to cases under their jurisdiction.
The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically Pa.R.Crim.P. 203, establishes that search warrants may be issued by "any issuing authority within the judicial district wherein the search is to be conducted."
For arrest warrants, Pa.R.Crim.P. 513 similarly authorizes issuance by any "issuing authority" with appropriate jurisdiction.
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas is located at:
Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-782-3000
Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Lehigh County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Lehigh County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The most direct and reliable methods involve contacting county law enforcement or judicial offices.
To search for outstanding warrants:
- Contact the Lehigh County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division directly at 610-782-3175
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person at the Lehigh County Government Center
- Check the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal for criminal docket information
- Contact the Clerk of Judicial Records for information on publicly available warrant records
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-782-3175
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office
When searching for warrant information, be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name of the person
- Date of birth
- Any aliases or former names
- Case numbers (if known)
For third-party searches, be aware that certain limitations may apply due to privacy considerations. While basic warrant information may be available to the public, detailed information might only be accessible to the named individual or their legal representative.
Attorneys may also access warrant information through the PAeDocket system, which provides more comprehensive access to court records than the public portal.
How To Check Federal Warrants In Lehigh County
Federal warrants operate under a separate legal system from county or state warrants in Lehigh County. These warrants are issued by federal magistrate judges or district court judges for violations of federal law and are executed by federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, or other federal officers.
To check for federal warrants:
- Contact the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which has jurisdiction over Lehigh County
- Consult with the U.S. Marshals Service, which maintains information on federal fugitives
- Search the federal PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system for publicly available federal court records
- Retain a federal criminal defense attorney who can make appropriate inquiries
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Allentown Division)
504 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-434-4000
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Marshals Service - Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Courthouse
601 Market Street, Room 1040
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-597-7622
U.S. Marshals Service
Federal warrant information is often more restricted than state or county warrant information. Active federal warrants may not be disclosed to the public while investigations are ongoing. The most reliable method for checking federal warrant status is through a licensed attorney who can make formal inquiries with the appropriate federal authorities.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Lehigh County?
Warrants issued in Lehigh County remain legally valid and enforceable until they are executed, recalled by the issuing authority, or otherwise terminated through legal proceedings. Unlike some legal documents, warrants do not typically have built-in expiration dates in Pennsylvania.
The duration of different warrant types follows these general principles:
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Arrest Warrants: Remain active indefinitely until the person is apprehended or the warrant is withdrawn by court order. Pennsylvania law does not impose time limitations on arrest warrants.
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Bench Warrants: Continue in effect until the person appears before the court or the judge recalls the warrant. According to Pa.R.Crim.P. 150, these warrants remain active until addressed by judicial action.
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Search Warrants: Must be executed within a specific timeframe, typically within 48 hours of issuance, as specified in Pa.R.Crim.P. 205(4). After this period, the search warrant expires and cannot be legally executed.
While the warrant itself may not expire, it's important to note that the statute of limitations for the underlying criminal offense continues to run. In some cases, this may eventually affect the prosecution's ability to proceed with charges once the warrant is executed.
For individuals with long-outstanding warrants, consulting with a qualified attorney is advisable to understand the specific legal implications in their case.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Lehigh County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Lehigh County varies based on several factors, including case urgency, judicial availability, and the complexity of the investigation. Under normal circumstances, the process follows established procedures designed to balance law enforcement needs with constitutional protections.
The typical search warrant process in Lehigh County includes:
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Preparation Phase: Law enforcement officers prepare an affidavit establishing probable cause, which typically takes several hours to complete thoroughly.
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Review and Approval: The affidavit must be reviewed by a prosecutor, which may take 1-3 hours depending on complexity and workload.
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Judicial Review: The warrant application is presented to a Magisterial District Judge or Court of Common Pleas Judge, who reviews the materials to determine if probable cause exists.
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Issuance: If approved, the judge signs the warrant, making it immediately executable.
In standard, non-emergency situations, this process typically takes between 4-24 hours from initiation to issuance. However, in urgent circumstances involving imminent danger or risk of evidence destruction, expedited procedures may be employed.
Pennsylvania law also provides for emergency electronic warrant procedures under Pa.R.Crim.P. 203(B), which allows for warrants to be obtained via advanced communication technology in expedited fashion, sometimes in as little as 1-2 hours.
Once issued, search warrants in Lehigh County must be executed within 48 hours, after which they expire and become invalid.