Wanted Persons

There are approximately 1,000 active warrants in Crow Wing County at any given time. As arrests occur to clear existing warrants, new warrants are issued. These warrants vary in degree from Misdemeanor (MS), Gross Misdemeanor (GM) and Felony (FE) with a misdemeanor being the least severe. The level of the warrant is dictated by the level of the related offense.

The Sheriff’s Office does not issue warrants; the Sheriff’s Office is responsible by state statute for processing and maintaining warrant data. Warrants processed by the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office are issued by Crow Wing County District Court. A judge must sign and approve each warrant. When an arrest warrant is issued, deputies attempt to locate and arrest the person, bringing him or her to justice. By statute, the Sheriff is required to "pursue and apprehend all felons" (Minnesota State Statute 387.03). As a result, law enforcement agencies collaborate to seek out the most dangerous fugitives and to bring them to justice.  

Contact Court Administration for help answering questions regarding what, if anything, can be done to address the warrant.

If you see or know the whereabouts of someone with an active warrant, please contact the Sheriff's Office. Tips can be anonymously submitted via email, Tip411 or by phone.

For your safety - assume that individuals with active arrest warrants are dangerous. Never attempt to make an arrest. Only law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest a person for an active warrant. 

Types of Warrants

There are two types of warrants - criminal arrest warrants and civil warrants.

Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant, which calls for the immediate apprehension and arrest of a person, is issued by a district court judge as a result of a suspected commission of a crime and/or failure to follow an order of the court, such as a violation of probation or pre-trial supervision. There are generally three types of arrest warrants:

  • Bench Warrants - Bench warrants are issued by a judge for individuals who fail to appear in court for their scheduled hearing, violate their pre-trial release supervision conditions or do not follow court orders.
  • Complaint Warrants - Complaint warrants are issued as part of a criminal complaint when the Crow Wing County Attorney's Office, or one of the city attorney's offices, charge a case.
  • Probation/Parole Violation Warrants - Probation/parole violation warrants are issued for individuals who are already under supervision with Crow Wing County Community Corrections or the Department of Corrections and have violated their supervision conditions.

Civil Warrants

Civil warrants are issued for non-criminal reasons, such as contempt of court or family court issues. Business or collection reasons may also result in a civil warrant being issued.

Warrant Related Definitions

  • Nightcap - A night capped warrant is a warrant signed by a judge authorizing the arrest of an individual at any time, day or night.
  • Quashed - A warrant that has been overthrown or set aside. The warrant will be gone and the individual will be given a new court date. 

View link for list of Active Warrants.