Calaveras County Bench Warrants

Calaveras County bench warrants are issued by the Superior Court when someone fails to appear for court or breaks release terms. The court is located in San Andreas, the county seat. This rural Sierra foothills county has about 45,000 residents. The Sheriff handles warrant enforcement and runs the county jail. This page covers how to check for bench warrants in Calaveras County, what to do if you have one, and the contact information you need. We also explain the specific surrender process that applies to felony warrants in the county.

How to Search Calaveras County Warrants

Calaveras County does not have a public online warrant search database. The Sheriff does not publish warrant lists on the web. To find out if you have an active bench warrant, you need to call or visit in person.

Call the Calaveras County Superior Court at (209) 754-9800. The courthouse is at 400 Government Center Drive in San Andreas. Staff can check if there is a warrant in your name and tell you the bail amount if one is set. You will need to provide your full name and date of birth.

You can also contact the Sheriff Civil Division at (209) 754-6694. They handle bench warrant information and enforcement. The Sheriff can confirm if a warrant exists and explain your options for surrendering. Phone inquiries may be limited, so visiting in person with a photo ID often gets you more complete information.

Note: The court and Sheriff cannot give legal advice about whether you should turn yourself in.

Calaveras County Felony Warrant Surrender

Calaveras County has a specific rule for felony arrest warrant surrenders. The court FAQ states: "If a felony arrest warrant was issued you must surrender yourself to the Calaveras County Jail Monday through Friday before 10:00 a.m." This timing is important. Show up too late and you may have to wait until the next day.

The county jail is located at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. When you arrive, tell the staff you are surrendering on a warrant. They will book you and hold you until you can see a judge. The court hearing may happen the same day or the next court day depending on when you turn yourself in.

For misdemeanor bench warrants, the process may be different. Call the court to ask about your options. Some misdemeanor cases let you post bail at the clerk's window and get a new court date without going to jail. The bail amount depends on your charges and case history.

Calaveras County Court and Sheriff Contacts

Here is the contact information for handling bench warrants in Calaveras County.

The Calaveras County Superior Court is at 400 Government Center Drive, San Andreas, CA 95249. The main phone is (209) 754-9800. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The criminal clerk's office can answer questions about warrants and bail amounts. They can also tell you when to appear for warrant surrenders.

The Calaveras County Sheriff main number is (209) 754-6500. For bench warrant questions, call the Civil Division at (209) 754-6694. The Sheriff's Office is at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. The jail is at the same location. If you need to surrender, go there during business hours, preferably before 10:00 AM for felony warrants.

Clearing Bench Warrants in Calaveras County

Dealing with a bench warrant sooner is better. The warrant will not go away on its own. It stays in the system until you address it or law enforcement picks you up.

For misdemeanor warrants with a bail amount, you may be able to pay bail and get a new court date. Call the court to find out the amount. You can pay at the clerk's office in San Andreas. Some minor traffic warrants may let you forfeit the bail and close the case. Ask the clerk if this option applies to your situation.

Felony warrants require appearing before a judge. Surrender at the jail Monday through Friday before 10:00 AM. You will be booked and held until your hearing. Having a lawyer can help. An attorney may be able to arrange better terms or prepare the court for your surrender. Under Penal Code 977, attorneys can appear for clients on some misdemeanor cases.

The California Courts offer a form to request warrant recall. Form CR-302 can be found at courts.ca.gov/documents/cr302.pdf. Your lawyer or probation officer can file this with the court. It asks the judge to cancel the warrant and set a new date. This does not always work, but it is an option in some cases.

The screenshot below shows the California Courts page with general warrant information that applies in Calaveras County.

Calaveras County Failure to Appear Penalties

Missing a court date in Calaveras County results in a bench warrant. The judge issues it right away when you do not show up. Your name goes into the statewide law enforcement database.

California Penal Code 978.5 allows courts to issue bench warrants for failure to appear. The warrant is valid anywhere in California. You can be arrested in any county on a Calaveras County warrant.

Under Penal Code 1320, willful failure to appear when released on your own recognizance is a crime. You face new charges on top of your original case. If you were out on bail for a felony, Penal Code 1320.5 makes failure to appear another felony with fines up to $10,000. Courts can add a civil assessment up to $300 under Penal Code 1214.1.

Towns in Calaveras County

Calaveras County is a small rural county in the Gold Country region of the Sierra foothills. The county seat is San Andreas. There are no cities in Calaveras County with a population over 50,000. All bench warrants come from the Superior Court in San Andreas.

The Sheriff provides law enforcement for the entire county. There are no large city police departments. Angels Camp is the only incorporated city in the county and it has a small population. If you have a bench warrant in Calaveras County, you deal with the court and Sheriff only.

Nearby California Counties

Warrants from neighboring counties will not show in Calaveras County records. Check these counties if you are not sure where your warrant is from.