Lee County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Lee County?
A search warrant in Lee County is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specified location for evidence of a crime. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 933.02, search warrants may be issued when there is probable cause to believe that:
- Evidence relating to a crime is present at a specific location
- Contraband, stolen property, or property used to commit a crime is being concealed
- A person for whom an arrest warrant has been issued is present at a specific location
Search warrants in Lee County must meet strict constitutional requirements under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 12 of the Florida Constitution, which protect citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. Each warrant must specifically describe the place to be searched and the items to be seized.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing many search warrants within the county's jurisdiction:
Lee County Sheriff's Office 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33912 (239) 477-1000 Lee County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Are Warrants Public Records In Lee County?
Warrants in Lee County are generally considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). However, access to warrant information is subject to certain limitations:
- Active warrants may be temporarily exempt from public disclosure if release would impede an ongoing investigation
- Warrants related to certain sensitive cases (e.g., those involving juveniles or sexual offenses) may have restricted access
- Sealed warrants, authorized by a judge for specific reasons, are not available to the public
Members of the public seeking warrant information may access records through the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division, which maintains and processes public records requests in accordance with state law.
The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, establishes the public's right to access government records, including court records such as warrants, unless specifically exempted by law. The Lee County Clerk of Court maintains court records, including executed warrants that have been returned to the court:
Lee County Clerk of Court 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 533-5000 Lee County Clerk of Court
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How Do I Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Lee County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Lee County have several official channels available:
- Contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division directly at (239) 477-1200
- Visit the Lee County Sheriff's Office website to view the current list of wanted fugitives
- Check the booking search database maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Contact the Lee County Clerk of Court at (239) 533-5000 to inquire about court records
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, individuals may also submit a public records request to the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division:
Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33912 (239) 477-1350 Records Division
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
When inquiring about possible warrants, individuals should be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (optional but helpful for accurate identification)
- Photo identification when appearing in person
How To Check for Warrants in Lee County for Free in 2025
Lee County residents and other interested parties may utilize several no-cost resources to check for active warrants in 2025:
- The Lee County Sheriff's Office online booking search provides free access to arrest and booking information
- The wanted fugitives page on the Sheriff's website lists individuals with active warrants
- The Lee County Clerk of Court offers public access terminals at their main office for searching court records at no charge
For Cape Coral residents, additional resources are available through the City of Cape Coral public records portal, which provides links to local law enforcement records.
Florida Statute § 119.07 establishes that agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records, though reasonable fees for copies may apply. The Lee County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court maintain public access terminals during regular business hours where individuals may conduct warrant searches without incurring fees.
What Types of Warrants In Lee County
Lee County's judicial system issues several types of warrants, each serving a specific legal purpose:
- Arrest Warrants - Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime
- Bench Warrants - Ordered by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date
- Search Warrants - Authorize law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence
- Capias Warrants - Issued for failure to comply with court orders, often in civil matters
- Violation of Probation Warrants - Issued when an individual violates terms of probation
- Civil Warrants - Used in non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement
The 20th Judicial Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over Lee County, issues these warrants in accordance with Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.121 and 3.131:
20th Judicial Circuit Court - Lee County 1700 Monroe Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 533-1700 20th Judicial Circuit
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What Warrants in Lee County Contain
Warrants issued in Lee County contain specific information as required by Florida Statutes § 901.02 and § 933.07. A legally valid warrant typically includes:
- The name of the person to be arrested or location to be searched
- A description of the alleged offense (for arrest warrants)
- The specific items to be seized (for search warrants)
- The date of issuance
- The signature of the issuing judge
- The name of the law enforcement agency authorized to execute the warrant
- An expiration date or execution timeframe
For search warrants, Florida law requires particularity in describing both the place to be searched and the items to be seized. This requirement stems from constitutional protections against general or overly broad searches.
Arrest warrants must establish probable cause through an affidavit or sworn testimony from a law enforcement officer or prosecutor. The warrant must clearly identify the individual to be arrested with sufficient specificity to avoid mistaken identity.
Who Issues Warrants In Lee County
In Lee County, warrants are issued exclusively by judicial officers with proper jurisdiction:
- Circuit Court Judges of the 20th Judicial Circuit have authority to issue all types of warrants
- County Court Judges may issue warrants for misdemeanors and certain felonies
- Magistrates, when properly appointed, may issue certain warrants under limited circumstances
The issuance process typically begins with a law enforcement officer or prosecutor presenting an affidavit establishing probable cause to a judge. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.120, the judge must determine that sufficient legal grounds exist before signing the warrant.
The State Attorney's Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit often participates in the warrant process:
State Attorney's Office - 20th Judicial Circuit 2000 Main Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 533-1000 State Attorney's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Lee County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Lee County may utilize several official resources:
- The Lee County Sheriff's Office booking search database provides information on recent arrests and bookings
- The wanted fugitives page lists individuals with active warrants
- In-person inquiries can be made at the Sheriff's Office Records Division
For comprehensive warrant searches, individuals may submit a public records request to the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division or visit the Lee County Clerk of Court. Florida Statute § 119.07 governs the process for requesting public records, including warrant information.
Third parties conducting warrant searches should be aware that while warrant information is generally public, using such information to harass or intimidate the subject of a warrant may constitute a violation of law.
How To Check Federal Warrants In Lee County
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants and are issued by federal judges or magistrates. To check for federal warrants in Lee County:
- Contact the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division
- Inquire with the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for executing federal warrants
- Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to relevant federal agencies
U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division 2110 First Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 461-2000 U.S. District Court
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
U.S. Marshals Service - Fort Myers Office 2110 First Street, Suite 2-101 Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 461-2050 U.S. Marshals Service
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Federal warrants are issued pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 4 and 41, which govern arrest and search warrants respectively. Access to information about federal warrants may be more restricted than for state warrants.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Lee County?
Warrants issued in Lee County remain active until they are executed, recalled by the court, or the subject of the warrant is deceased. Specific considerations include:
- Arrest warrants do not expire under Florida law and remain active indefinitely
- Search warrants typically must be executed within 10 days of issuance, per Florida Statute § 933.05
- Bench warrants remain active until the court recalls them or the individual appears before the court
The statute of limitations for the underlying offense does not affect the validity of an active warrant. Even if prosecution for the original offense becomes time-barred, the warrant remains active and enforceable.
For individuals with long-outstanding warrants, legal counsel may petition the court for relief under certain circumstances. However, the recommended course of action is to address the warrant through proper legal channels.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Lee County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Lee County varies based on circumstances:
- In emergency situations, warrants may be obtained within hours through electronic means
- Under normal circumstances, the process typically takes 1-3 business days
- Complex investigations may require additional time to establish sufficient probable cause
Florida Statute § 933.07 authorizes judges to issue search warrants electronically, which has expedited the process in recent years. Law enforcement officers may submit affidavits electronically and receive signed warrants via secure digital systems.
In exigent circumstances, where evidence might be destroyed or public safety is at immediate risk, law enforcement may request expedited processing of warrant applications. However, all warrants must still meet constitutional requirements regardless of the timeframe.