Search Auburn Bench Warrants

Auburn bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not follow a court order. The Auburn Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases on North Ross Street. For felony and misdemeanor cases, Lee County courts manage the records. Auburn is the fastest growing city in Alabama. The population has jumped over 23% in recent years. This college town is home to Auburn University.

What Is a Bench Warrant in Auburn?

A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. The judge issues it from the bench. When you miss a court date, the judge can issue one. When you fail to pay fines or follow court orders, a warrant may follow. This is different from an arrest warrant for a new crime. A bench warrant deals with an existing case.

Auburn sees a mix of bench warrants due to its college population. Many involve traffic tickets that people forget after moving. Others involve minor offenses that turn into bigger problems when ignored. A simple speeding ticket can become a bench warrant if you skip your court date. The court takes failure to appear seriously.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands law enforcement to arrest you. Auburn Police can pick you up any time. Felony bench warrants never expire. They stay active until you deal with them. Misdemeanor warrants may have time limits. Courts can renew them if they choose.

Auburn Municipal Court

The Auburn Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations. Traffic tickets, noise complaints, and minor city code issues go here. The court is at 141 North Ross Street. This is the same building as Auburn Police. Judges can issue bench warrants when people fail to appear for their cases.

You can call the court to check if you have a warrant. Staff can look up your name and tell you your case status. If you have a warrant, they can explain your options. You may get a new court date. You may need to pay fines first. Each case is different.

City vs County Bench Warrants

Auburn has two court systems. City warrants and county warrants work differently. Knowing which one you have helps you clear it faster. The type of charge determines which court handles your case.

Auburn Municipal Court handles city ordinance matters. Traffic tickets issued by Auburn Police go here. Noise violations, parking issues, and local code matters go here. These are the less serious offenses. Jail time is limited. Fines depend on the violation. You clear these warrants at the Municipal Court on Ross Street.

Lee County courts handle more serious crimes. The District Court manages misdemeanors and traffic matters that are not just city ordinances. Circuit Court handles felonies. A DUI in Auburn goes to county court. Drug crimes go to county court. Any felony goes to county court. For these warrants, you deal with the Lee County Circuit Clerk in Opelika, not Auburn Municipal Court.

The county seat is Opelika, about 10 miles from Auburn. The Lee County Justice Center is at 2311 Gateway Drive. If you have a county bench warrant, that is where your case is handled. Call the Circuit Clerk at (334) 737-3526 to check on county-level warrants.

How to Search Auburn Bench Warrants

You can search for bench warrants in Auburn several ways. The method depends on what type of warrant you think you have. Most Auburn residents start with the Municipal Court. This catches most city-level warrants.

For Auburn Municipal Court warrants, call (334) 501-3180. Give them your name. They can tell you if the court has a warrant for you. You can also visit in person at 141 North Ross Street. Bring a valid photo ID. Court staff can look up your case and explain your options.

For county-level warrants, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This state system covers Lee County court records. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status and charges. If a bench warrant exists in your case, it may show up here. The search does not show all warrant types. A phone call to the clerk may be needed too.

Lee County has a dedicated magistrates and warrants office. You can find info at lee.alacourt.gov. The Sheriff's office at (334) 749-5651 can also run warrant checks. They keep records of active warrants in the county.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has a limited fugitive search at app.alea.gov. This shows only select felony fugitives. Most Auburn bench warrants will not appear there. It is not a full warrant database.

How to Clear an Auburn Bench Warrant

Clearing a bench warrant in Auburn takes some effort. Do not wait for police to find you. A traffic stop can turn into an arrest if you have a warrant. Handle it on your own terms. You have more control that way.

For Auburn Municipal Court warrants, call (334) 501-3180 first. Ask about your case. Find out what you owe or what you need to do. In many cases, the court will give you a new court date. You may need to pay past-due fines before they reschedule you. Go to the new court date and deal with the underlying issue.

You can pay some fines by phone at (334) 329-6065. This may resolve simple cases. For more complex matters, you need to appear in court. The judge will decide what happens next. Bring any paperwork related to your case.

For county bench warrants, the process is different. Contact the Lee County Circuit Clerk at (334) 737-3526. Ask about your case status. You may need to arrange a bond hearing. Some people turn themselves in at the Lee County Sheriff's office. They go through booking, post bond, and get a court date. This is often better than being picked up unexpectedly.

Consider hiring a lawyer for serious matters. An attorney can contact the court for you. They may get better outcomes than you would on your own. For simple matters, you can often handle them yourself. For felony warrants, get legal help.

Auburn Police Department

The Auburn Police Department is at the same location as Municipal Court. Officers enforce city laws and can arrest on any active warrant. If you have a bench warrant, Auburn Police can pick you up during a routine traffic stop or any other contact.

Auburn Police work closely with Auburn University Police. Campus officers can also run warrant checks. If you have an active warrant, it will show up in the system no matter which agency stops you. Clear your warrants before they become a bigger problem.

Auburn Bench Warrant Fees

Fees for bench warrants in Auburn vary by case. The original fine, court costs, and any added fees all add up. The longer you wait, the more it can cost. Late fees and warrant charges increase your total.

Common Auburn Municipal Court fees include:

• Traffic violations: $20 to $500 depending on offense
• Court costs: Added to all cases
• Failure to appear fee: May be added
• Bond amounts: Set by judge

If you cannot afford to pay, ask about options. Auburn Municipal Court may offer payment plans. Some cases allow community service instead of fines. Talk to the court about what is possible. Do not let money problems keep you from handling your warrant. The court would rather work with you than issue more warrants.

For county court fees, call the Lee County Circuit Clerk. County fees are often higher than city fees. AlacourtAccess charges $9.99 per name search if you check online. Copy fees run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more.

Lee County Bench Warrants

Auburn is in Lee County. The county seat is Opelika. The 37th Judicial Circuit serves Lee County. All felony and misdemeanor cases from Auburn go through the Lee County court system. The county has over 174,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing in Alabama.

Lee County uses VINELink for victim notification. If you have a case involving victims, they may be notified when you are released or when your case status changes. The county keeps modern records and the court system is well organized.

State Resources for Auburn Warrant Searches

Alabama has statewide tools for court record searches. These cover all 67 counties including Lee County. The state court system is called Alacourt. It provides online access to case information.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com is the main public portal. You can search court records from across Alabama. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status, charges, and court dates. Document images cost extra. This is a quick way to check for Auburn-area warrants from home.

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts runs the system. Contact them at 1-866-954-9411 with questions about statewide records. Their office is at 300 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.

For a full criminal background check, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency charges $25. You must submit fingerprints. This shows all criminal history on file with the state. It is more complete than a simple name search. Apply through alea.gov.

Legal Help in Auburn

If you have a bench warrant in Auburn, legal help may be useful. A lawyer can advise you on your case. They can talk to the court for you. For serious charges, an attorney makes a real difference in outcomes.

Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents with legal matters. They have offices across the state. Call the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about services. They focus on cases involving domestic violence and other urgent matters. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more details.

The Lee County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. The Alabama State Bar runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. Auburn University's Cumberland School of Law has clinics that sometimes help with legal matters.

If you cannot afford a lawyer and face criminal charges, ask for a public defender. At your first court appearance, tell the judge you need a court-appointed attorney. The court checks your income. If you qualify, they assign a lawyer at no cost to you.

Auburn University Students and Warrants

Auburn University has over 30,000 students. Many come from other parts of Alabama or out of state. Students sometimes get tickets and then move away. When they forget about the ticket, a bench warrant follows. This can cause problems years later.

If you were a student and think you may have an old warrant, check now. Call Auburn Municipal Court at (334) 501-3180. They keep records going back many years. A warrant from your college days can still show up on a background check. Employers run these checks. Landlords run them. Graduate schools run them. Clear old warrants before they cause bigger problems.

Current students should take court dates seriously. Missing class is not a valid excuse for missing court. The judge does not care about your exam schedule. If you have a conflict, call the court in advance. They may reschedule your date. Do not just skip and hope it goes away. It will not.

Nearby Cities

Auburn is in east-central Alabama near the Georgia border. If you have had cases in nearby cities, check for warrants there too. Each city has its own municipal court.

• Montgomery - State capital, about 55 miles west
• Birmingham - Largest metro area, about 110 miles northwest