Do I Have a Warrant in Alberta? What You Should Do.
If you are worried there might be a warrant out for your arrest, you are not alone. We get calls about this frequently — especially after missed court dates, unpaid fines, or when police show up unexpectedly at a person’s home or work door. Sometimes, people come in off an international flight and get stopped at the border, or simply find out sometime after the fact, that they are at warrant status.
In Alberta, there is no public database where you can securely search warrants online. Here is what you need to know.
1. How Arrest Warrants Work in Alberta
An arrest warrant is issued when police or the court believe there are legal grounds to detain you. Common reasons include:
Missing a court date (bench warrant)
New criminal charges/Information laid by police
Breach of bail conditions or probation
Once the warrant is active, police can arrest you anywhere — home, work, even during a routine traffic stop.
2. Why You Shouldn’t Just Call the Police
People often think they can phone a police district office to ask if they have a warrant. The problem? If there is one, that call could alert police, and they may come find you before you have had a chance to get legal advice, or turn yourself in on your own terms, when you are prepared, and know what to expect. In addition, the police will likely tell you to come in anyway, because their privacy policies do not allow them to disclose this information over the phone, as they will need to confirm your identity first. You should always deal with a warrant - otherwise, you will eventually be arrested - it is only a matter of time. It is in your best interest to turn yourself in, so as to show compliance and co-operation with the administration of justice; this gives you a better chance of consent release. It is advisable to seek out legal advice first, so we can walk you through the process, and help navigate it with you.
3. The Safest Way to Find Out
Your best option is to contact a Criminal Defence Lawyer. At Patmore Defence, we can:
Possibly Check for outstanding warrants securely
Advise you on next steps before you are arrested
Arrange for a structured surrender (if needed) to minimize time in custody. This colloquially referred to as a “catch and release.” Oftentimes, we can contact the police or the primary investigator, and obtain more information about the discretion they can exercise, and help to influence their decision on the facts of your case. We will tell you what to expect, and help you coordinate the process to assist in putting your mind at ease during this intimidating time.
4. What Happens If There Is a Warrant
If we confirm there is an active warrant, we can help you create a plan:
Contact the Police or Crown prosecutor
Arrange a controlled surrender
Push to secure release conditions instead of extended detention
This approach can prevent public arrests, prolonged detention and helps you maintain certainty and peace of mind.
📞 Call Patmore Defence 24/7 if you think you might have a warrant: 403-909-4822