>Franklin County Warrant Search Online

Franklin County, Virginia Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Franklin County, Virginia?

Warrant records are public in Franklin County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies, officials, and employees are presumed open and available for inspection by members of the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Franklin County judicial system maintains warrant records as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Virginia FOIA specifically provides that citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of media organizations have the right to access public records. Non-citizens may also be granted access at the discretion of the custodian. Warrant information becomes part of the public record once it has been executed and returned to the court, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal identifying information as required by law.

Access to warrant records in Franklin County is administered through the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, which serve as the official custodians of these records.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Franklin County?

Warrant records maintained by Franklin County authorities typically contain the following information as prescribed by Virginia Code § 19.2-72:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the subject
Date of birth and/or age of the subject (may be partially redacted in public copies)
Physical description of the subject
Last known address (may be partially redacted in public copies)
Nature and classification of the alleged offense, including relevant Virginia Code sections
Date and time the warrant was issued
Name and title of the judicial officer who issued the warrant
Bond amount, if applicable
Court date, time, and location for appearance
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Name of the complainant or arresting officer
Return of service information once executed

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-54, search warrant records must be filed with the circuit court clerk within seven days after execution, at which point they generally become public records unless sealed by court order.

How to Check For Warrants in Franklin County For Free

Franklin County residents may verify the existence of warrants through several no-cost methods established by local authorities:

In-person inquiry at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office located at 70 East Court Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (540) 483-3000.
Visiting the Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court at 275 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Public access hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (540) 483-3065.
Utilizing the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System for searching court records, though this system may not include all active warrants.
Contacting the Franklin County Magistrate's Office at 70 East Court Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Telephone: (540) 483-3060. The magistrate's office operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Individuals seeking warrant information must provide proper identification. In accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389, certain criminal history information may be restricted from public disclosure.

Franklin County Sheriff Warrants

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Franklin County are issued through judicial authority granted to magistrates and judges under Virginia Code § 19.2-71.

Types of warrants processed by the Franklin County Sheriff include:

Arrest warrants for criminal offenses
Bench warrants for failure to appear in court
Capias warrants for violation of court orders
Search warrants for property or premises
Civil warrants for matters such as debt collection

The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to execute outstanding warrants. Deputies are authorized to execute warrants at any time of day or night for felony offenses, while misdemeanor warrants are typically executed between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM unless otherwise authorized by a magistrate.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-76, the Sheriff's Office must make a return on all warrants after service, indicating the date and manner of execution. This information becomes part of the public record maintained by the Clerk of Court.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Franklin County in 2025

Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Franklin County may utilize several official channels established by county authorities:

Contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 70 East Court Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Telephone: (540) 483-3000. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Visit the Franklin County Courthouse at 275 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 to inquire with the Clerk of Circuit Court. Public service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (540) 483-3065.
Access the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System to search for court cases by name. This system provides information on cases that have been docketed but may not reflect recently issued warrants.
Consult with a Virginia-licensed attorney who can make inquiries on behalf of a client with greater access to information than is available to the general public.

When making inquiries, individuals must provide proper identification in accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389.1, which governs the dissemination of criminal history record information. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office requires government-issued photo identification for all warrant inquiries made in person.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Franklin County

Franklin County maintains several official channels through which members of the public may verify the existence of outstanding warrants:

Submit a formal records request to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 70 East Court Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Requests may be made in person Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, or by calling (540) 483-3000.
Visit the Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 275 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM) to search public court records. Telephone: (540) 483-3065.
Contact the Franklin County Magistrate's Office at 70 East Court Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Telephone: (540) 483-3060. The magistrate can verify if warrants have been issued but not yet served.
Utilize the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System to search for cases by name, though this system may not include all active warrants.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-390, law enforcement agencies are required to report all arrests to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. This information may be accessed by authorized agencies but has restricted public access.