Warren County Arrest Records

Warren County arrest records are official documents of law enforcement arrests and detentions of individuals within Warren County, IA. They are part of Warren County court records.

In Warren County, law enforcement officers can effect arrests if:

• The courts issue arrest warrants
• The officers witness felony or misdemeanor acts
• Individuals pose an immediate danger to the public
• There is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.

The Warren County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, Iowa State Patrol, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies generate arrest records in the line of duty. These agencies hold arrestees at the Warren County Jail, local police departments holding cells, or at the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center (CIJDC) in Eldora, Warren County (if the arrestees are minors).

Are Arrest Records Public in Warren County?

Yes, per the Iowa Open Records Law, Warren County arrest records are public. However, some Warren County arrest records are exempt from public access.

For instance, according to Iowa laws, the public cannot access Warren County arrest records that relate to minors, sealed or expunged records, active law enforcement or judicial investigations, witness or informant information, or if public disclosure of such documents will pose security risks. Individuals seeking access to restricted Warren County arrest records must be legally eligible to do so.

Warren County Arrest Statistics

The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) arrest reports data show a varying trend in the number of individuals taken into custody for various offenses within Warren County between 2020 and 2023. In 2023, Warren County law enforcement agencies reported 772 arrest incidents to the UCR database. Also, there were 680, 554, and 930 arrests in 2022, 2021, and 2020.

Between January 2020 and December 2023, drug/narcotic violations, DUIs, simple assaults, and larceny crimes were the highest arrest incidents within Warren County. These offenses accounted for over 54% of all arrests within Warren County between 2020 and 2023. The tables below are the reported arrest incidents for Warren County from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023.

Find Warren County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking access to Warren County arrest records should call, email, or visit the Warren County Sheriff's Office at:

115 N Howard Street,
Indianola,
IA 50125
Phone: (515) 690-9210
Fax: (515) 690-9239
Email: sheriff@warrencountyia.org

Also, inquirers can visit the Iowa Courts Online Electronic Docket Records Search Portal, register, and use the online tools to look for arrest records relating to Warren County criminal trials. Furthermore, record seekers can submit formal requests to access Warren County case-related arrest records at the Warren County Clerk of Court Office at:

115 N Howard Street,
Indianola,
IA 50125
Phone: (515) 690-9260
Fax: (515) 690-9289

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In the U.S. and its component states (including Iowa), public record laws stipulate indefinite retention of arrest records unless there are legal mandates to remove them. In Warren County, individuals can petition the Warren County District Court to seal or expunge their arrest information if:

• There is an acquittal or dismissal of charges
• The owners of the arrest records complete deferred adjudication or probation for their offenses
• The arrest is for underage alcohol possession or consumption or simple misdemeanors
• There are no subsequent criminal convictions, and upon payment of all
• The record owners serve the sentences resulting from the arrest and pay all fines associated with their cases.

Also, Warren County juvenile delinquency arrest record owners may petition the court to seal the documents.

Warren County Arrest Warrants

Warren County arrest warrants are official documents issued by the Warren County District Court authorizing law enforcement to take individuals into custody. A Warren County District Court judge may issue an arrest warrant if law enforcement provides evidence of criminal acts. Arrest warrants may become necessary for several other reasons. For instance, a Warren County District Court judge may issue an arrest warrant if there is evidence that an offender intends to flee Warren County to avoid prosecution for a crime or if an individual disobeys court orders.

A Warren County arrest warrant must have the following information or more to be legally valid:

• Name and physical description of the subject/defendant
• Name and signature of the issuing judge
• Date of issuance of the warrant
• Description of the offense and the sections of Iowa Code allegedly violated
• Geographical areas where the warrant is valid
• Instructions on how law enforcement should execute the arrest.

Do Warren County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Warren County arrest warrants do not have expiration dates. Arrest warrants remain active until law enforcement apprehends the subjects or the court cancels them. Also, Warren County arrest warrants will become inactive at the demise of the subjects of the warrants.