Warrant records are public documents in Barber County, Kansas, pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq.). This legislation establishes that public records, including warrants, shall be accessible to citizens to promote transparency and accountability within the judicial system. The Act specifically designates court records, including warrants, as public information unless sealed by court order or otherwise exempted by statute.
The Kansas Open Records Act mandates that governmental agencies maintain and provide access to public records during regular business hours. Warrant information is maintained by the Barber County Sheriff's Office and the District Court Clerk, both of which serve as custodians of these records. Members of the public may request access to warrant information through established procedures at these agencies.
Certain warrant information may be restricted if disclosure would interfere with ongoing investigations, compromise law enforcement procedures, or violate privacy protections established under K.S.A. § 45-221. In such cases, the custodial agency must provide written justification for denial of access in accordance with statutory requirements.
Warrant records maintained by Barber County authorities typically contain the following information as required by Kansas law:
Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2302, arrest warrants must be supported by affidavits or sworn testimony establishing probable cause. These supporting documents may be included in the warrant record but might be subject to redaction or restricted access depending on case circumstances.
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in Barber County may utilize several no-cost methods established under the Kansas Open Records Act:
The Kansas Department of Revenue also maintains a Warrants on the Web database for tax warrants, which may be searched without charge.
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record searches. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-218, agencies may require written requests but cannot require disclosure of the purpose for which the information will be used.
The Barber County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued by judicial authorities that grant law enforcement officers legal authority to take specific actions, including:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of active warrants issued within Barber County. These records are regularly updated as warrants are executed, recalled, or expire. The execution of warrants is prioritized based on severity of the alleged offense, public safety considerations, and available resources.
Sheriff Richard Garza oversees warrant operations for Barber County. The Sheriff's Office coordinates with other law enforcement agencies, including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, when executing high-risk warrants or conducting multi-jurisdictional operations, as evidenced by recent drug enforcement operations in the county.
Barber County Sheriff's Office
124 E. Washington
Medicine Lodge, KS 67104
Phone: 620-930-2590
Fax: 620-886-3103
Barber County Sheriff
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Barber County have multiple verification methods available as established by Kansas statutes and local procedures:
Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2305, warrants remain in effect until executed or withdrawn by court order. Individuals with active warrants may be subject to arrest at any time, including during routine traffic stops or other interactions with law enforcement. Resolution of warrant status typically requires court appearance and may involve posting bond as determined by the issuing court.
Outstanding warrants in Barber County may be verified through established procedures that comply with the Kansas Open Records Act:
Verification requires providing accurate identifying information including full legal name and date of birth. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-220, agencies may charge reasonable fees for staff time required to fulfill extensive records requests, though basic warrant status inquiries are typically provided without charge.