Documents for detainment are authorized by criminal court judges or magistrates for the purpose of arresting an individual suspected of a particular crime. While these legal documents are significant as regards anyone’s offender history, there are two different types of these documents: prior and active arrest warrants. In the following category, we take a closer look at active arrest warrants, how they compare to past records of this nature, and how this is related to the legal system and criminal records industry.
When it comes to taking a criminal into custody in the criminal justice system, of course, these records are important to any criminal background search; but documents of this nature are just as significant-if not more so-than the detainments themselves. Of course each criminal situation is singular in its process, but detainments and orders for detainments are different-in that, one is just an instantaneous decision on the part of law enforcement, while the latter goes through an entire process of gathering evidence, having the court review it, and enforcing the arrest warrant if it is approved. If the arrest warrant results in a detainment, then the matter follows the due process of the law. If a warrant is issued, and no taking into custody can be made immediately, it is considered an active arrest warrant.
Prior documents of this nature are most often available for all public and private entities interested in the information. They are listed in criminal records with details as regards the detainment, nature of the detainment, and if the police detainment resulted in a conviction. These intentions of the law enforcement as regards the accused has been realized. In outstanding or active arrest warrants, the subject to be taken into custody has yet to be served with the court ordered document, in that the law enforcement has not made contact with the offender as of yet. Two things are typically assumed in a case in which an outstanding court order exists: first, that the police have made attempts to serve and detain the subject, and second, that the subject of the warrant has eluded this meeting. This is not to say that the subject definitely is intentionally avoiding the serving of the document, as this is possible, but it is uncommon and very difficult to prove.
When it comes to a criminal records search, locating the information on active arrest warrants, is typically outside the normal search means of locating the individual’s criminal record. Typically, a search for documents of this nature will be available at the same jurisdictions that a criminal record would be sought, but it is most often a part of a “wanted persons list”, which lists names, photos, and personal identifiers of those wanted by law enforcement in that jurisdiction. The term, “wanted”, of course referring to those with outstanding documents out on them. Moreover, subjects of these lists are classified not just by the jurisdiction in which the crime was identified, but they are also further identified as degrees of severity for the crimes in which they have allegedly committed; i.e. “most wanted” and “wanted” lists.