Butte County, South Dakota Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Butte County, South Dakota?
Warrants are public records in Butte County, South Dakota, pursuant to South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1, which establishes the state's Public Records Act. This legislation mandates that governmental records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The statute serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials, including those in law enforcement agencies.
The Butte County Sheriff's Office maintains warrant records as part of its official duties within the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Members of the public may access these records to verify the legal status of individuals or to conduct research on law enforcement activities within the county. The public nature of these records supports the constitutional principles of due process and open government operations.
Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-1.1, certain information within warrant records may be redacted if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise ongoing investigations. However, the fundamental information regarding the existence and basic details of warrants remains accessible to the public through proper channels.
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Butte County?
Warrant records maintained by the Butte County Clerk of Courts contain specific information as required by South Dakota law. These records typically include:
- Full legal name and identifying information of the subject
- Date of birth and last known address (may be partially redacted)
- Case number and associated court docket information
- Nature of the alleged offense (including statutory citations)
- Date of issuance and name of the issuing judicial officer
- Bond amount, if applicable
- Special conditions related to execution of the warrant
- Status information (active, recalled, or served)
The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over Butte County, maintains these records in accordance with SDCL § 23A-2-4, which governs the issuance and documentation of arrest warrants. All warrant information is entered into the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's database for proper tracking and accessibility.
How to Check For Warrants in Butte County For Free
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Butte County through several no-cost methods established pursuant to South Dakota's open records provisions:
- In-person requests at the Butte County Sheriff's Office located at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717 (open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Direct inquiry at the Butte County Courthouse, 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
- Telephone verification through the Sheriff's Office at (605) 892-2737 (basic information only)
- Access to public terminals at the courthouse for searching the South Dakota Unified Judicial System database
- Review of the publicly posted warrant list in the Sheriff's Office lobby
Individuals seeking warrant information must provide proper identification when making in-person requests. Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-37, agencies may require written requests for certain types of record searches to maintain proper documentation of information access.
Butte County Sheriff Warrants
The Butte County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Butte County fall into several categories as defined by South Dakota statutes:
- Arrest warrants (SDCL § 23A-2-4): Issued upon probable cause that an individual has committed a criminal offense
- Bench warrants (SDCL § 23A-38-2): Issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing
- Civil warrants: Issued in non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement
- Search warrants (SDCL § 23A-35-2): Authorizing law enforcement to search specified premises
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division responsible for processing and executing these legal documents. Deputies are dispatched to serve warrants based on priority levels determined by the nature of the underlying offense and public safety considerations. The Butte County Sheriff's Office coordinates with other law enforcement agencies when subjects are believed to be outside county jurisdiction.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Butte County in 2025
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Butte County in 2025 may utilize several official verification methods established by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System:
- Access the South Dakota Court Records portal to conduct a name-based search
- Contact the Butte County Clerk of Courts at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, telephone (605) 892-2516
- Visit the Butte County Sheriff's Office in person at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
- Consult with a licensed attorney who can access the complete court record system
- Submit a notarized written request for warrant status to the Clerk of Courts
Pursuant to SDCL § 23A-2-4.1, individuals have the legal right to know if warrants have been issued for their arrest. The Butte County government maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and provides access during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding legal holidays.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Butte County
The verification process for outstanding warrants in Butte County follows established protocols under South Dakota law. Members of the public may:
- Conduct a search through the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court public access system
- Submit a formal records request to the Butte County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Appear in person at the Sheriff's Office with government-issued photo identification
- Contact the Butte County State's Attorney's Office at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, telephone (605) 892-3813
- Utilize the public access computer terminals located in the courthouse lobby
Law enforcement agencies within Butte County maintain warrant information in the statewide Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (LETS) pursuant to SDCL § 23-3-35. This system ensures that current warrant information is available to all authorized agencies throughout South Dakota and connected to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) when appropriate.
Search Warrant Records in Butte County
Butte County Sheriff's Office
839 5th Avenue
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 892-2737
Official Website
Butte County Clerk of Courts
839 5th Avenue
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 892-2516
Official Website
Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Administration
1425 Sherman Street
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-4411
Official Website
