Search Decatur Bench Warrants

Decatur bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not comply with a court order. The Decatur Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases at City Hall on Lee Street. Morgan County courts handle felony and misdemeanor matters. Morgan County has an online warrant list that you can search from home. Decatur is known as the River City because it sits along the Tennessee River.

What Is a Bench Warrant?

A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. It comes from the judge's bench. When you miss a court date, the judge can issue one. When you do not follow court orders, a warrant may follow. This is not for a new crime. It is for failing to do what the court told you.

Decatur sees many bench warrants each year. Most come from missed court dates for traffic tickets. Others result from unpaid fines or ignored court orders. The court does not forget about your case. If you do not show up, the judge can issue a warrant.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them before the court. Decatur Police can arrest you any time. Felony bench warrants never expire. They remain active until you handle them. Misdemeanor warrants may have time limits, but courts often renew them.

Morgan County Online Warrant List

Morgan County is one of the few Alabama counties with a public online warrant list. The Sheriff's office posts active warrants on their website. This is a free way to check if you have a warrant. Not all warrants appear on this list, but many do.

Visit morgancountysheriffal.gov/warrants.php to search the list. You can look by name or browse the full list. The page shows the person's name, date of birth, charges, and bond amount. This covers Morgan County warrants, which includes serious cases from Decatur.

The online list is helpful but not complete. It may not include all warrants right away. City-level warrants from Decatur Municipal Court may not appear here. The list focuses on county-level warrants from Circuit and District Court. For Municipal Court warrants, call (256) 341-4676 directly.

Morgan County has over 20,000 active warrants according to local reports. The Sheriff's office works to serve warrants but new ones come in faster than old ones get cleared. If you have a warrant, it could sit in the system for years. Handle it on your own terms.

Decatur Municipal Court

The Decatur Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases. Traffic tickets, noise violations, and code matters go here. The court is on the second floor of Decatur City Hall on Lee Street. Judges issue bench warrants when people miss their court dates or fail to pay fines.

Call the court to check if you have a warrant. Staff can look up your name and tell you your status. They can explain your options. You may get a new court date. You may need to pay old fines first. Ask questions so you know what to expect.

Note: Court costs in Decatur increased by $3.00 effective October 1, 2025. Check current fees when you call.

City vs County Bench Warrants

Decatur has two court systems. City warrants and county warrants work differently. The charge determines which court handles your case. Understanding this helps you clear your warrant faster.

Decatur Municipal Court handles city matters. Traffic tickets from Decatur Police go here. Noise complaints and code violations go here. These are less serious offenses. Jail time is limited. Fines depend on the violation. You clear these warrants at Municipal Court on Lee Street.

Morgan County courts handle more serious crimes. District Court handles misdemeanors. Circuit Court handles felonies. A DUI in Decatur goes to county court. Drug charges go to county court. Any felony goes to county court. For these warrants, you deal with the Morgan County Circuit Clerk.

Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County. The county courthouse is at 302 Lee Street NE, just down the street from City Hall. If you have a county bench warrant, that is where your case is handled. The Circuit Clerk phone is (256) 351-4790.

How to Search Decatur Bench Warrants

You can search for bench warrants in Decatur several ways. Decatur has more search options than many Alabama cities because Morgan County posts warrants online. Use multiple methods to be thorough.

For Morgan County warrants, start with the online list at morgancountysheriffal.gov/warrants.php. This is free and fast. Search by name to see if you appear. Remember, not all warrants show up here.

For Decatur Municipal Court warrants, call (256) 341-4676. Give them your name. They can tell you if you have a city warrant. You can also visit in person at 402 Lee Street NE. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up your case and explain your options.

For a broader search, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This state system covers Morgan County court records. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status and charges. If a bench warrant exists, it may show here.

You can also call the Decatur Police Department warrants line at (256) 341-4660. Officers can check if warrants exist in your name. The Sheriff's office at (256) 351-4825 handles county warrant inquiries.

How to Clear a Decatur Bench Warrant

Clearing a bench warrant in Decatur takes some effort. Do not ignore it. The warrant stays active until you deal with it. Police can arrest you at a traffic stop or anywhere they run your name. Handle it on your own terms.

For Decatur Municipal Court warrants, call (256) 341-4676 first. Ask about your case. Find out what you owe or need to do. In many cases, the court will give you a new date. You may need to pay past fines before they reschedule. Go to the new court date and deal with the matter.

Be prepared when you appear in court. Bring ID. Bring any paperwork from your case. The judge will hear your situation. You may pay a fine. You may get probation. The outcome depends on the charge and your history.

For county bench warrants, contact the Morgan County Circuit Clerk at (256) 351-4790. Ask about your case status. You may need a bond hearing. Some people turn themselves in at the Sheriff's office at 119 Lee Street NE. They go through booking, post bond, and get a court date. This is often better than waiting to get picked up.

Consider a lawyer for serious matters. An attorney can contact the court for you. They may get better results. For simple traffic warrants, you can often handle them yourself. For felony warrants, get legal help.

Decatur Police Department

The Decatur Police Department is at City Hall on Lee Street. Officers enforce city laws and can arrest on any active warrant. If you have a bench warrant, police can pick you up during any contact.

Decatur Police work with the Morgan County Sheriff on warrant enforcement. Both agencies can arrest you on any valid bench warrant. Clear your warrants before they cause bigger problems.

Decatur Bench Warrant Fees

Fees for bench warrants in Decatur depend on the case. The original fine, court costs, and late fees add up over time. The longer you wait, the more it can cost. Court costs recently increased in Decatur.

Common Decatur Municipal Court fees include:

• Traffic violations: $20 to $500 depending on offense
• Court costs: Added to all cases (increased $3.00 as of October 2025)
• Failure to appear fee: May be added
• Bond amounts: Set by judge based on offense

If you cannot pay, ask about options. The court may offer payment plans. Some cases allow community service. Talk to court staff about what is possible. Do not let money problems keep you from handling your warrant.

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

Morgan County Bench Warrants

Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County. The 8th Judicial Circuit serves this area. All felony and misdemeanor cases from Decatur go through the Morgan County court system. The county has over 20,000 active warrants in the system.

Morgan County is home to Blue Origin's largest rocket factory. The county has seen growth in recent years. Major employers include 3M, GE Appliances, Daikin, and NUCOR Steel. The courthouse and City Hall are both on Lee Street within walking distance of each other.

State Resources for Warrant Searches

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

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com is the main public portal. Search court records from across Alabama. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status, charges, and court dates. This adds to the free Morgan County warrant search for a more complete picture.

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts runs the system. Contact them at 1-866-954-9411 for questions. 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. Apply through alea.gov.

Legal Help in Decatur

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

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

The Morgan County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. The Alabama State Bar runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. For simple traffic warrants, you may not need a lawyer. For serious charges, get professional help.

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 help. The court checks your income. If you qualify, they assign a lawyer at no cost.

Decatur: The River City

Decatur sits on the Tennessee River. This location made it important for trade and industry since its founding in 1820. The city is one of the oldest in Alabama. Today it is a major industrial center in North Alabama.

Point Mallard Park is a popular waterpark attraction. The historic downtown has the Old State Bank from 1833. The city motto is "Grand City on a Charming Scale." Major employers bring workers from across the region.

If you work in Decatur but live elsewhere, be aware of where your cases are filed. A ticket issued in Decatur goes to Decatur Municipal Court. A ticket issued in your home city goes to your home court. Check all places where you may have had contact with police.

Nearby Cities

Decatur is in North Alabama along the Tennessee River. If you have had cases in nearby cities, check those courts too. Each city has its own municipal court.

• Huntsville - Largest city in Alabama, about 25 miles east
• Madison - About 20 miles east in Madison County