Find Dothan Bench Warrants

Dothan bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not comply with a court order. The Dothan Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases on West Adams Street. Houston County courts manage felony and misdemeanor matters. Dothan has run Amnesty Court programs to help people clear failure to appear warrants without jail time. This is the hub of the Wiregrass region and is known as the Peanut Capital of the World.

What Is a Bench Warrant?

A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. The name comes from the judge's bench. When you skip court or break a court order, the judge may issue a bench warrant. This is not for a new crime. It is for failing to follow rules in a case that already exists.

Dothan issues hundreds of bench warrants each year. Most are for failure to appear on traffic tickets or minor offenses. People forget about a ticket. They move away. They think it will just go away. It does not. The court issues a warrant, and it stays on your record until you handle it.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant directs law enforcement to arrest and bring the person before the court. Dothan Police can arrest you at any time. Felony bench warrants never expire. They remain active until served or recalled by the court. Misdemeanor warrants often last 180 days to one year but courts can renew them.

Dothan Amnesty Court Program

Dothan has offered Amnesty Court programs for people with failure to appear warrants. This is an important option for clearing old warrants. During amnesty periods, you can resolve your case without going to jail. The court waives some fees. You get a fresh start.

Amnesty Court is not available all the time. The city runs it on special dates. When announced, the program typically runs for a limited period. You show up at the court. You deal with your old tickets. You may pay reduced fines. You avoid arrest. The warrant goes away.

To find out if Amnesty Court is currently running, call Dothan Municipal Court at (334) 615-4149. Ask when the next session is. They can tell you if you qualify. Not all warrants are eligible. Serious charges may not qualify. Traffic tickets and minor offenses usually do.

If Amnesty Court is not running, you can still clear your warrant the regular way. Call the court. Ask about your case. Get a new court date. Show up and handle it. Amnesty makes it easier, but you have options even without it.

Dothan Municipal Court

The Dothan Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases. Traffic tickets, code violations, and minor city offenses go here. The court is at 115 West Adams Street in downtown Dothan. Judges issue bench warrants when people miss their court dates or do not 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 what you need to do. You may get a new court date. You may need to pay old fines. Ask about payment plans if cost is an issue.

City vs County Bench Warrants in Dothan

Dothan has two court systems. City warrants are different from county warrants. The type of charge determines which court handles your case. Knowing the difference helps you clear your warrant faster.

Dothan Municipal Court handles city matters only. Traffic tickets from Dothan Police go here. Noise complaints go here. City code violations go here. These are less serious offenses. Jail time is limited. Fines vary by violation. You clear these warrants at Municipal Court on Adams Street.

Houston County courts handle more serious matters. The District Court deals with misdemeanors. The Circuit Court handles felonies. A DUI arrest in Dothan goes to county court. Drug charges go to county court. Any felony goes to county court. For these warrants, you deal with the Houston County Circuit Clerk, not the city.

Houston County is the youngest county in Alabama. It was created in 1903. The county seat is in Dothan. The courthouse is at 462 North Oates Street. This is where county-level cases are handled. If your warrant is from county court, that is where you need to go.

How to Search for Dothan Bench Warrants

You can search for bench warrants in Dothan several ways. The best method depends on what kind of warrant you have. Start with the most likely source. Most people check the Municipal Court first.

For Dothan Municipal Court warrants, call (334) 615-4149. Give them your name. They can tell you if a warrant exists. You can also visit the court in person at 115 West Adams Street. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up your case and explain your options.

For county-level warrants, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This state system covers Houston County court records. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status and charges. If a bench warrant exists, it may show up here. Phone calls may still be needed for complete info.

The Houston County Sheriff can also check for warrants. Call (334) 677-4888. Ask if they have a warrant in your name. The Sheriff's office keeps records of active warrants. They can tell you what to do next.

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

How to Clear a Dothan Bench Warrant

Clearing a bench warrant in Dothan takes effort. Do not ignore it. The warrant will not go away on its own. Police can arrest you at a traffic stop or anywhere they run your name. Taking care of it yourself gives you control.

First, find out which court issued your warrant. Call Dothan Municipal Court at (334) 615-4149. If they have a warrant for you, ask about your options. Ask if Amnesty Court is running. If not, ask for a new court date. Find out what you owe. Make a plan to resolve it.

When you go to court, be prepared. Bring ID. Bring any paperwork from your case. Dress respectfully. The judge will hear your case. You may pay a fine. You may get probation. The outcome depends on the charge and your history.

For county bench warrants, contact the Houston County Circuit Clerk at (334) 677-4800. Ask about your case. You may need a bond hearing. Some people turn themselves in at the Sheriff's office. They go through booking, post bond, and get a court date. This is often better than getting picked up at a random traffic stop.

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

Dothan Police Department

The Dothan Police Department enforces city laws and can arrest on any active warrant. If you have a bench warrant, police can pick you up during a traffic stop or any contact. The department serves over 71,000 residents.

Dothan Police work with the Houston County Sheriff on warrant enforcement. Both agencies can arrest you on any valid bench warrant. Do not wait to be picked up. Clear your warrants on your own terms.

Dothan Bench Warrant Fees

Fees for bench warrants in Dothan depend on the case. The original fine, court costs, and late fees add up. The longer you wait, the more it costs. During Amnesty Court, some fees may be reduced or waived.

Common Dothan 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 based on offense

If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about a payment plan. Courts often allow monthly payments. Some cases allow community service instead of fines. Talk to the court about your options. Money problems should not stop you from clearing your warrant.

For county court fees, call the Houston 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.

Houston County Bench Warrants

Dothan is the county seat of Houston County. The 20th Judicial Circuit serves this area. Houston County is the youngest county in Alabama. It was created in 1903. All felony and misdemeanor cases from Dothan go through the Houston County court system.

The Houston County Sheriff was sworn in as President of the Alabama Sheriff's Association in January 2024. The county runs modern court operations. The courthouse is in downtown Dothan, close to the Municipal Court building.

State Resources for Warrant Searches

Alabama has statewide tools for court record searches. These cover all 67 counties including Houston County. The state system is called Alacourt. It gives 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 is a fast way to check for Dothan-area warrants from home.

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

Legal Help in Dothan

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

Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents. 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 Houston County Bar Association can connect you with local attorneys. The Alabama State Bar runs a 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. Tell the judge at your first court appearance that you need help. The court will check your income. If you qualify, they assign you an attorney at no cost.

Dothan and the Tri-State Area

Dothan sits near the borders of Georgia and Florida. This is the Wiregrass region. Many people travel between states for work, shopping, and daily life. If you have cases in multiple states, you may have warrants in different places.

Alabama warrants do not automatically show up in Georgia or Florida systems. But if you are stopped and police run your name through NCIC, out-of-state warrants may appear. Felony warrants are more likely to be in the national database. Misdemeanor warrants may not be.

If you think you have warrants in other states, check those places too. Dothan Municipal Court only knows about Dothan cases. Houston County only knows about Houston County cases. Out-of-state matters need to be checked separately.

Nearby Cities

Dothan is the largest city in southeast Alabama. It serves as the hub for the Wiregrass region. If you have had cases in other Alabama cities, check those courts too.

• Montgomery - State capital, about 90 miles northwest
• Auburn - About 100 miles north