Request Warrant Update


Some types of warrant updates require no screening or approval while other types of updates follow a process similar to the initial warrant request. For example, adding an address or alias to a warrant does not typically require approval while modifying the charges or altering the subject’s date of birth requires approval from an Approving Entity such as the Court. Because this process handles the actual request for a warrant update, updates that do not require screening or approval are accommodated by the “Issue Warrant Update” process.

Note that, in some jurisdictions, there is no process for updating warrants. Instead, any modifications to a warrant are accomplished by first recalling the warrant and subsequently issuing a new warrant with the updated information. This scenario is supported by the “Request Warrant Recall” and “Issue Warrant Recall” processes.

The following links provide Business Process Flow Diagrams for the Request Warrant Update Business Function:

Primary Flow
Request Warrant Update-Primary (png)
Request Warrant Update-Primary (bpm)

The sample process flow diagram was developed in standard Business Process Model and Notation using the Windows-based Bizagi Modeler tool and can be modified to represent the specific process in your jurisdiction. To download a free copy of the Bizagi Modeler tool, go to bizagi.com.

Primary Flow Description
A Requesting Entity (Law Enforcement) generates a Warrant Update Request Message containing the details of the warrant update request and any documentation required to support the request (incident report, witness statement, etc.). 
The Warrant Update Request Message is sent to a Screening Entity for review. In jurisdictions where intermediate screening of warrant requests is required, the Screening Entity will typically be the Prosecution. In jurisdictions where there is no intermediate screening, the Screening Entity will be the Approving Entity, or, alternatively, the screening step can be omitted entirely. 
The Screening Entity reviews the warrant update request and decides whether to authorize or deny the warrant update request. 
 
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If denies the warrant update request, a Warrant Update Request Decision Message is sent to the Owning Entity indicating the reason the request was denied (further investigation required, insufficient documentation, etc.).  
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If authorizes the warrant update request, a Warrant Update Request Message is generated and sent to an Approving Entity (typically the Court).  
The Approving Entity reviews the warrant update request and decides whether to approve or deny the warrant update request. 
 
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If denies the warrant update request, a Warrant Update Request Decision Message is sent to the Owning Entity indicating the reason the request was denied. 
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If approves the warrant update request, a Warrant Update Message is generated and sent to an Issuing Entity (typically the Court Clerk or the Court itself). A Warrant Update Request Decision Message is also sent to the Requesting Entity indicating the request was approved.  
The Issuing Entity receives the Warrant Update Message and issues the warrant update. 


The following table summarizes the responsibilities of each role depicted in the business process flow:

Role Responsibilities Actors

Requesting Entity

Prepares and submits a warrant update request to an Approving Entity or, in jurisdictions with intermediate screening, a Screening Entity 
Receives the outcome of a previously-submitted warrant update request from either a Screening Entity or Approving Entity 

Law Enforcement
Prosecution 
Corrections 
Probation 
Parole 

Screening Entity

In jurisdictions with intermediate screening, receives and reviews requests for warrant updates 
Authorizes or denies the warrant update request 
Notifies the requesting entity of the review outcome 
If the request is authorized, submits the request to an Approving Entity 
Prosecution 
Court 

Approving Entity

Receives requests for warrant updates from Requesting and Screening Entities 
Approves or denies the warrant update request 
Notifies an Issuing Entity that a warrant update should be issued 
Court 

Issuing Entity

Receives approved warrant updates from an Approving Entity 
Issues the warrant update by distributing the updated warrant document to appropriate entities 
Court 
Court Clerk