A Daytona Beach City Florida bench warrant is a written order from a Volusia County judge. The judge signs the order when a person misses a court hearing or breaks a court rule in the 7th Judicial Circuit.
After the judge signs it, the Daytona Beach Police Department or Volusia County Sheriff’s Office can arrest the named person at any time. The warrant stays active until a judge cancels it or the named person finishes the court case. This page explains how these warrants work in Daytona Beach, how to look them up online, and what to do if one is active in your name in 2026.
What a Bench Warrant Means in Daytona Beach
A bench warrant in Daytona Beach is a court order for arrest. The order goes through the Volusia County court system. A judge signs the order from the bench in open court. This is why it carries the name “bench warrant.” The judge signs the order when a person fails to appear for a court date, breaks a court order, or does not pay court-ordered fines. Once the judge signs the order, the warrant goes into the clerk’s records and stays open until cleared.
How the Volusia County Court System Works
All Daytona Beach bench warrants go through the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Volusia County. The main courthouse sits in DeLand at 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, FL 32720. Daytona Beach has a courthouse branch, but most clerk operations run through the DeLand office. The clerk’s office keeps every court record for Volusia County. This includes all warrant records for Daytona Beach cases. Anyone can call the clerk’s office at (386) 736-5915 for case questions or records requests during business hours.
Who Issues Bench Warrants in Daytona Beach
A Volusia County judge signs bench warrants for Daytona Beach cases. The judge looks at the case file and the reason the person missed court. Under Florida Statute 901.02, the judge must have probable cause before signing the warrant. The warrant then goes into the clerk’s computer system. From there, police officers across Florida can see it through the FCIC database right away.
What Triggers a Bench Warrant
Several actions can lead to a bench warrant in Daytona Beach. Missing a court hearing is the most common reason. Not paying a court-ordered fine is another reason. Breaking a no-contact order or failing to complete court-ordered classes can also lead to a warrant. The Volusia County judge reviews each situation before signing the warrant. The judge checks that the court gave proper notice of the hearing. Without proper notice, the judge cannot sign a valid warrant under Florida law.
How to Search Online for a Warrant
You can search for a Daytona Beach bench warrant from home. Several free databases exist. Each database shows different records. Use all three databases to get the full picture. The three main databases are the Volusia County Clerk’s website, the FDLE statewide system, and the Florida Court Clerks eWarrants portal. All three are free to use and run 24 hours a day.
- Go to volusiaclerk.org and search by name or case number
- Visit fdle.state.fl.us and search by name plus date of birth
- Check flclerks.com for cross-county warrant data
- Call the Volusia County clerk at (386) 736-5915 to confirm
The FDLE homepage below is the starting point for statewide warrant searches that include Daytona Beach cases in Volusia County.
Volusia County Clerk Online Records
The Volusia County Clerk of Court runs a free online records search. The website is volusiaclerk.org. The search lets you look up court cases by name, case number, or date. You can see the case type, charges, filing date, and warrant status. The search reaches every case in Volusia County. All Daytona Beach cases are part of the system. You do not need an account or fee to use the search. The system updates daily with new court records.
FDLE Statewide Warrant Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide warrant search. The website is fdle.state.fl.us. The search pulls warrant data from all 67 Florida counties. You can search by name and date of birth. The FDLE database lists bench warrants, arrest warrants, capias warrants, and violation of probation warrants. The system refreshes every 24 hours. FDLE notes the search should not act as real-time proof of an active warrant. Use it as a starting point before calling the Volusia County clerk for confirmation.
Florida Court Clerks eWarrants System
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers runs the eWarrants system. The website is flclerks.com. The system shares warrant data between clerks, police, judges, and sheriffs across Florida. A Daytona Beach bench warrant shows up on this system right away. This means officers anywhere in Florida can see your warrant during any police contact. The system also connects to the national NCIC database for out-of-state officers who run your name.
How Officers Serve These Warrants
Daytona Beach Police and Volusia County deputies both serve bench warrants. The warrant does not expire. Officers can arrest the named person at any time of day. Officers do not need a separate arrest order once the judge signs the warrant. The warrant itself gives officers the right to arrest you during any contact.
Daytona Beach Police Department
The Daytona Beach Police Department serves warrants inside city limits. The police station sits at 990 Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114. You can call the department at (386) 671-5100. Daytona Beach officers run your name during every traffic stop, business check, and call for service. If a warrant shows up, the officer will arrest you on the spot. The department also joins Volusia County on regular warrant sweep operations targeting people with active warrants.
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office serves warrants across the county, including areas around Daytona Beach. Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood leads the office. The sheriff’s office website at volusiasheriff.gov posts daily activity reports. The sheriff and Daytona Beach Police coordinate on warrant sweeps. These sweeps target people with active warrants for FTA, probation violations, and unpaid fines across Volusia County.
NCIC and Out-of-State Warrants
A Daytona Beach bench warrant goes into the National Crime Information Center database. This database is called NCIC. Out-of-state officers can see your warrant through NCIC. If you travel to Georgia, Alabama, or any other state, police there can arrest you on a Daytona Beach warrant. Under Florida Statute 901.04, officers in other states can arrest you on a Florida warrant and hold you for pickup.
Penalties for Missing Court in Daytona Beach
Missing court in Daytona Beach brings new charges on top of the original case. Florida Statute 843.15 covers the penalties for failure to appear. The new charge is called Failure to Appear or FTA. The penalty depends on the type of the original charge. The FTA charge stacks on top of the original case. So missing court doubles your legal trouble instead of fixing it. The judge looks at each FTA case before sentencing.
| Original Charge | FTA Charge Level | Max Jail Time | Max Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third-degree felony | 5 years prison | $5,000 |
| Misdemeanor | First-degree misdemeanor | 1 year jail | $1,000 |
Felony FTA Charges in Florida
If the original charge was a felony, the FTA is a third-degree felony. A third-degree felony in Florida carries up to five years in prison. The court can also add fines up to $5,000. The sentence can run at the same time as the original case or after you finish the original sentence. The judge decides based on your record and case facts at the sentencing hearing.
Misdemeanor FTA Charges in Florida
If the original charge was a misdemeanor, the FTA is a first-degree misdemeanor. A first-degree misdemeanor in Florida carries up to one year in county jail. The court can also add fines up to $1,000. The sentence stacks on top of the original misdemeanor sentence. The judge looks at why you missed court before deciding the final sentence in your case.
Why These Warrants Never Expire
Bench warrants in Daytona Beach do not have an expiration date. There is no time limit for a judge to recall the warrant. A warrant from ten years ago carries the same force as one signed yesterday. The warrant stays active until one of three things happens. The judge recalls the warrant. The named person gets arrested. The named person dies. Search warrants follow different rules. Search warrants expire after 10 days under Florida Statute 933.05.
How to Clear a Daytona Beach Bench Warrant
You can clear a bench warrant in three main ways. Each way works better in different cases. Hiring a Volusia County defense attorney is the safest first step. The attorney can review your case, file court papers, and appear on your behalf. Self-surrender at the Volusia County jail also works for some people. The clerk’s office can tell you your case status before you decide on a path forward.
Hiring a Local Defense Attorney
A Volusia County criminal defense attorney knows the 7th Judicial Circuit judges and rules. The attorney can pull your case file, see the warrant details, and plan the best path. The attorney may file a motion to quash the warrant. Quashing means the judge cancels the warrant. The attorney can appear in court for you and set a new hearing date. Attorney fees vary by case. Many offer free first consultations for warrant cases in Volusia County.
Filing a Motion to Quash or Recall
A motion to quash asks the judge to cancel the warrant. The motion to recall asks for the same result through a different legal path. Volusia County judges see these motions every week. The judge reviews why you missed court and decides based on the facts. Showing up voluntarily before the motion hearing helps your case. The judge sees voluntary action as a sign you take the case seriously.
Voluntary Surrender at the Jail
You can surrender yourself at the Volusia County jail. The jail sits at 1300 Red John Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32124. Call (386) 254-1535 before arriving. Bring a photo ID and any paperwork about your case. Surrendering yourself looks better to the judge than getting picked up at a traffic stop. Booking takes several hours. You may post bond and leave the same day depending on the charge and your record.
Capias Warrants vs Bench Warrants
A capias is a separate court order under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730. The clerk or state attorney signs a capias when the court needs the named person for sentencing or other follow-up steps. A capias happens after the court finds the person guilty and needs them back for sentencing. A bench warrant happens before the case ends. Both orders lead to arrest. Both go into the same police databases. Both stay active until cleared. The difference is who signs the order.
Common Scams That Target Bench Warrant Holders
Phone scams target people across Florida who fear bench warrants. The caller claims to be from the Daytona Beach Police Department, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, or a court office. The caller says you have an active warrant. The caller asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or cash app payments to clear the warrant. No real officer or court clerk will ever ask for these payments. Real officers serve warrants in person. Real courts handle payments through the clerk’s office or jail. Hang up and call Daytona Beach Police at (386) 671-5100 to report the scam.
- Caller demands payment by gift card or wire transfer
- Caller threatens immediate arrest unless you pay now
- Caller refuses to give a callback number or badge ID
- Caller asks for personal bank or Social Security details
- Caller offers to clear the warrant without court paperwork
Volusia County Clerk and Court Locations
The Volusia County Clerk of Court runs all court records for Daytona Beach cases. The main office sits at 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, FL 32720. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main phone line is (386) 736-5915. The Daytona Beach courthouse branch sits at 125 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114. You can visit either office for warrant questions. Bring a photo ID when you visit in person. The clerk’s office can confirm any warrant tied to your name.
Official website (not clickable): volusiaclerk.org. Phone number for case status: (386) 736-5915. Visiting hours for the main DeLand office: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Daytona Beach Police Department phone: (386) 671-5100. Volusia County Sheriff’s Office main line: (386) 736-5961. Volusia County jail phone: (386) 254-1535. Daytona Beach courthouse branch phone: (386) 257-6000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about Daytona Beach bench warrants in 2026. Each answer covers facts based on Florida law, Volusia County rules, and current FDLE practices. Use these answers alongside the rest of this page to get the full picture. Call the Volusia County clerk at (386) 736-5915 for case-specific questions. Call a licensed Volusia County defense attorney for legal advice on your case.
How do I know if I have a Daytona Beach bench warrant?
You can check for a Daytona Beach bench warrant using three free online databases. The first database is the Volusia County Clerk’s online records search at volusiaclerk.org. Search by your full legal name, date of birth, or case number. The second database is the FDLE statewide search at fdle.state.fl.us. Search by name plus date of birth to narrow the results. The third database is the Florida Court Clerks eWarrants system at flclerks.com. The search shows case type, charges, filing date, and warrant status. The FDLE database refreshes every 24 hours. The clerk’s database updates daily. Call the Volusia County clerk at (386) 736-5915 to confirm any warrant from the search. The clerk’s office confirms warrants by phone during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Do not rely on the search as real-time proof of an active warrant. Police can arrest you on a warrant that does not show up on a search. A Volusia County defense attorney can run a private search for a faster result. Many attorneys offer free first consultations for warrant cases.
Can a Daytona Beach warrant follow me to another state?
Yes. A Daytona Beach bench warrant goes into the National Crime Information Center database, called NCIC. NCIC connects every state and federal police agency. If you travel to another state and have any police contact, the officer will see the warrant. Under Florida Statute 901.04, officers in other states can arrest you on a Florida warrant. Many states will hold you for pickup by Florida police. Some states drop the warrant after a set time. A defense attorney can advise you on the rules for the state you plan to visit. The warrant stays active in NCIC until a Florida judge recalls it. The warrant does not expire based on time. A 20-year-old warrant carries the same force as a new one. Police can arrest you at a traffic stop, a business check, or any other contact. The warrant shows up on the officer’s computer screen in seconds. Surrendering yourself in Daytona Beach before traveling is the safest path. A Volusia County attorney can help you clear the warrant before you cross state lines.
How long does it take to clear a bench warrant?
Clearing a bench warrant can take one day or several weeks. The timeline depends on your case facts and the court calendar. If you hire a defense attorney and file a motion to quash, the court sets a hearing. The hearing date can be one week to one month away. Some Volusia County judges hear warrant motions faster for minor cases. The judge reviews your motion, your record, and the original charge. The judge then decides whether to cancel the warrant. If you surrender yourself, you can post bond the same day for most misdemeanor warrants. Felony warrants need a court hearing before bond is set. The judge reviews the case file and sets bond at the first hearing. Your defense attorney can ask the judge for a low bond at the first hearing. Bond amounts depend on the original charge, your record, and whether you pose a flight risk. The clerk’s office can give you a timeline for your specific case. Old warrants sometimes move faster through the court because the case files are closed. New warrants can take longer because the court needs to set a full hearing.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor bench warrant?
A defense attorney helps even with minor warrants. Missing court for a traffic ticket can lead to extra charges and a suspended license. The attorney can appear in court for you and handle the paperwork. Many Volusia County attorneys handle minor warrant cases for flat fees. Free legal aid may be available if you cannot afford an attorney. Call the Volusia County clerk at (386) 736-5915 for legal aid contact details. The clerk’s office can give you names of legal aid groups that serve Volusia County. Some law schools in Florida run free clinics for people with minor criminal cases. The clinics can help with traffic warrants and FTA charges. The attorney can also file a motion to quash the warrant and set a new hearing date. The new hearing lets you avoid jail time in most minor cases. The attorney can negotiate with the state attorney for a reduced sentence. Self-representation is risky because court rules are strict. A small mistake can lead to jail time even for a traffic warrant. Hiring an attorney is the safest path for any warrant, no matter how minor the case appears.
Can I pay a bond without going to jail?
Some misdemeanor bench warrants have a set bond amount. The clerk’s office posts the bond amount on the online case search at volusiaclerk.org. You can pay the bond at the Volusia County jail and leave without being booked for hours. The bond acts as a promise to appear in court. The court holds the bond money until your case ends. You get the bond money back if you appear at every court date. Felony warrants do not have a set bond. A judge must set the bond after a court hearing. Your defense attorney can ask the judge for a low bond at the first hearing. The judge reviews the original charge, your record, and whether you pose a flight risk. The judge then sets a bond you can pay. Bond amounts in Volusia County range from a few hundred dollars for minor misdemeanors to tens of thousands for serious felonies. A Volusia County defense attorney knows the local bond schedule. The attorney can argue for the lowest bond based on your case facts. The Volusia County jail accepts cash bond, surety bond, and in some cases, personal recognizance bond. Call the jail at (386) 254-1535 to confirm accepted payment types before arriving at the facility.
What is the difference between a capias and a bench warrant?
A capias is a separate court order under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730. The clerk or state attorney signs a capias when the court needs the named person for sentencing or other follow-up steps. A capias happens after the court finds the person guilty and needs them back for sentencing. A bench warrant is signed by a judge when the person misses court. A bench warrant happens before the case ends. The judge signs a bench warrant to bring the person back to court to finish the case. Both orders lead to arrest. Both go into the same police databases. Both stay active until cleared. The difference is who signs the order and when the order gets signed. A judge signs a bench warrant. A clerk or state attorney signs a capias. A bench warrant happens during the case. A capias happens after conviction or plea. The court can issue a capias if the person does not show up for sentencing, even after a plea deal. Both orders follow the same arrest rules under Florida Statute 901.04. A Volusia County defense attorney can explain which order applies to your specific case.
Can an old warrant be dropped after many years?
Old warrants do not drop on their own. A Volusia County judge must recall the warrant. The judge can recall the warrant for several reasons. The original charge was dropped. The statute of limitations ran out. New evidence clears the named person. The named person dies. A defense attorney can file a motion to recall an old warrant. The judge reviews the case and decides. Some judges recall old warrants more easily than others. A Volusia County attorney knows the local judges and their tendencies. The attorney can prepare a motion that fits the judge’s preferences. Old warrants for minor charges often get recalled. Old warrants for serious felonies are harder to recall. The court looks at why the warrant was signed and whether the case still matters. The court also looks at the named person’s record since the warrant. A clean record helps the recall motion. A long criminal record hurts the recall motion. The statute of limitations for most misdemeanors in Florida is one to two years. The statute of limitations for most felonies is three to four years. After the statute runs out, the judge must recall the warrant. The Volusia County clerk can tell you the original charge date for your case.