Warrant records are public documents in Bennington County, Vermont, pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320). This legislation establishes that governmental records shall be made available for inspection and copying by any person unless specifically exempted by statute. The Act promotes transparency in government operations and ensures public access to official documents.
In Bennington County, warrant records fall under the category of judicial documents that are accessible to the public. These records are maintained by the Bennington County Superior Court and local law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records (VRAPACR), most court records, including warrants that have been executed or returned to the court, are presumed to be open to the public.
Members of the public seeking warrant information should note that certain warrants may be temporarily sealed by judicial order, particularly those related to ongoing investigations where public disclosure might compromise law enforcement activities as provided under 1 V.S.A. § 317(c)(5).
Warrant records maintained in Bennington County typically contain the following information as prescribed by Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4:
• Full legal name and any known aliases of the subject • Date of birth and/or age of the subject when available • Physical description of the individual (height, weight, distinguishing features) • Last known address or location information • Date of warrant issuance • Case or docket number assigned by the court • Nature and classification of the alleged offense(s) • Statutory citation of the violated law(s) • Name of the issuing judge or magistrate • Bail amount or conditions, if specified • Agency responsible for executing the warrant
The Vermont Judiciary maintains these records in accordance with state record retention schedules as established by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration.
Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in Bennington County through several no-cost methods established under Vermont's public access laws:
• Visit the Bennington County Superior Court located at 207 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201. Public terminals are available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
• Contact the Bennington County Sheriff's Department at 802-442-4900 or visit their office at 811 US Route 7, Bennington, VT 05201. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Access the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal for certain court records, though active warrant information may be limited.
Individuals seeking information should be prepared to provide the full name and date of birth of the person in question. Pursuant to Vermont Court Administrative Directive No. 36, requestors may be required to complete a records request form when seeking information in person.
The Bennington County Sheriff's Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Bennington County are classified according to Vermont statutes as follows:
• Arrest Warrants: Issued under V.R.Cr.P. Rule 4 when probable cause exists that an individual has committed an offense • Bench Warrants: Issued pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 7559 when a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court appearance • Search Warrants: Authorized under V.R.Cr.P. Rule 41 allowing law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence • Civil Warrants: Including those for child support enforcement under 15 V.S.A. § 606
The Bennington County Sheriff's Department maintains a dedicated warrant division that coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to execute outstanding warrants. The department operates from:
Bennington County Sheriff's Department
811 US Route 7
Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-442-4900
Bennington County Sheriff's Department
Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 299, the Sheriff's Department is authorized to serve warrants throughout Bennington County and, in certain circumstances, may coordinate with agencies in neighboring jurisdictions.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Bennington County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by Vermont statutes and court rules:
• Contact the Bennington County Superior Court Clerk's Office directly at 207 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201 (Phone: 802-447-2700). Court staff can verify warrant status during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
• Utilize the Vermont Judiciary's electronic case access system which provides limited public information on court cases and may indicate warrant status.
• Consult with the Vermont Department of Corrections at 802-241-2442 regarding any warrants related to probation or parole violations.
• Verify through the Vermont Crime Information Center by submitting a personal record request form with proper identification.
Individuals with reason to believe a warrant exists should consider consulting with legal counsel. The Vermont Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can provide referrals to attorneys specializing in criminal matters at 800-639-7036.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Bennington County may be accomplished through several official channels in accordance with Vermont public records laws:
• In-person inquiry at the Bennington County Superior Court Criminal Division located at 207 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201. Public access terminals are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Direct contact with the Bennington County Sheriff's Department at 811 US Route 7, Bennington, VT 05201 (Phone: 802-442-4900). The department maintains records of all active warrants within their jurisdiction.
• Submission of a records request to the Vermont Crime Information Center located at 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1300 (Phone: 802-244-8727). Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Utilization of the Vermont Judiciary's online case lookup system for public court records that may indicate warrant status.
Pursuant to Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records Rule 6(b), certain identifying information may be required to conduct a thorough search, including full legal name and date of birth of the subject.