Access Howard County Bench Warrants
Howard County bench warrants are issued by courts in Big Spring when a person misses a court hearing or does not pay fines. Sheriff Stan Parker and the Howard County Sheriff's Office keep records of all active warrants. You can check for bench warrants by calling (432) 264-2231, visiting the courthouse at 300 Main Street in Big Spring, or searching the Texas DPS online database. Howard County offers online access to judicial and jail records, which makes it easier to check warrant status than in some other West Texas counties. The Howard County Detention Center is at 3611 W. Hwy 80 in Big Spring.
Howard County Overview
Howard County Sheriff Bench Warrant Records
The Howard County Sheriff's Office manages all bench warrant records. Deputies serve warrants from the district court, county court, and justice of the peace courts in the Big Spring area. Call (432) 264-2231 to ask about an active warrant. Fax goes to (432) 264-9117. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
When a Howard County judge issues a bench warrant, the order enters the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. Officers statewide can see it. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 15, warrants are public records. The Howard County Detention Center at 3611 W. Hwy 80 uses the NCIC inmate messaging system and maintains an online inmate search through the county's IVSS portal for custody status information.
| Office | Howard County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Main St. Big Spring, TX 79720 |
| Phone | (432) 264-2231 |
| Jail | (432) 264-6051 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.howard.tx.us |
Searching for Howard County Bench Warrants
Call the sheriff. That is the quickest way. Give a name and date of birth. They will check for active warrants. You can also visit the courthouse at 300 Main Street in Big Spring.
The Howard County District Clerk at (432) 264-2204 keeps district court records including felony bench warrants. The County Clerk at (432) 264-2203 handles misdemeanor records. Howard County provides online judicial and jail record searches, which is a useful tool for checking warrant status from home.
The Texas DPS Criminal History tool includes Howard County records. Fees apply for full reports. The Texas Courts website has case data statewide. The DPS Crime Records Service offers background checks with warrant info from all Texas counties.
Howard County Bench Warrants
A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. Howard County judges issue them for missed court dates, ignored court orders, and unpaid fines. The name comes from the judge's bench. It is not the same as a regular arrest warrant from a police investigation.
Two types are common. The standard bench warrant is for failure to appear. A capias pro fine is issued under Article 45A.259 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure for unpaid court fines. Both go to the sheriff for service. Once active, a Howard County bench warrant stays on file with no expiration until you take care of it.
Note: Howard County bench warrants appear in statewide databases, so they can follow you across Texas and beyond.
Howard County Court Records Access
Public records come from the District Clerk, County Clerk, and JP courts. Howard County also provides online access to judicial records and maintains foreclosure notices and commissioner court minutes on the county website.
Below is a view of the Howard County online resources for bench warrant records.
The Texas DPS statewide portal includes Howard County records. Full reports cost a fee. The Big Spring Police Department handles its own municipal warrants for city-level offenses. Under the Texas Public Information Act, warrant records are generally open to the public. The Texas Attorney General coordinates warrant enforcement operations across the state.
Clearing Howard County Bench Warrants
A lawyer can help. An attorney may file a motion to recall the warrant and get a new court date. This is the preferred approach.
Without a lawyer, you can turn yourself in at the Howard County Detention Center at 3611 W. Hwy 80 in Big Spring. Bring your ID. Misdemeanor warrants may allow same-day bond posting. Felony warrants carry higher bond. For capias pro fine warrants, paying in full or setting up a payment plan can clear the warrant.
The penalties for failure to appear in Texas include extra fines and potentially a new criminal charge. Acting on a Howard County bench warrant sooner is always the better plan.
Note: A Howard County bench warrant can result in arrest at any time and may cause a driver's license hold through the Texas Omni program.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County includes Big Spring, Coahoma, Forsan, and other communities. All county bench warrants go through the courts in Big Spring.
Nearby Counties
Verify which county your case is in. These are near Howard County.