Search Hoover Bench Warrants

Hoover bench warrants are issued when a person fails to appear in court or does not comply with a court order. The Hoover Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases at the Public Safety Center. For county-level bench warrants, Hoover residents must check three different jurisdictions. This city spans Jefferson County (both Birmingham and Bessemer divisions) and Shelby County. The court you need depends on where your case started.

What Is a Bench Warrant?

A bench warrant is a court order for your arrest. It comes from the judge's bench. Judges issue these when someone skips a court date or fails to follow court orders. This is not the same as an arrest warrant for a new crime. A bench warrant deals with a case that already exists in the court system.

In Hoover, bench warrants can come from several sources. The Municipal Court issues warrants for city ordinance cases. If you miss court for a speeding ticket or noise complaint, the judge may issue a bench warrant. County courts issue warrants for felony and misdemeanor cases. Which court issued your warrant matters when you try to clear it.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant directs law enforcement to arrest the named person and bring them before the court. Hoover Police can arrest you on any active bench warrant. Felony bench warrants never expire. They stay on record until you handle them. Misdemeanor warrants may last 180 days to one year, but courts often renew them.

Why Hoover Spans Three County Jurisdictions

Hoover is unique in Alabama. It is the only major city that spans three separate county court jurisdictions. Most of Hoover lies in Jefferson County. A smaller part sits in Shelby County. Jefferson County has two court divisions: Birmingham and Bessemer. This means Hoover residents may need to check three places for county-level bench warrants.

The city grew fast in the 1970s and 1980s. It spread across county lines. About 80% of Hoover is in Jefferson County. The rest is in Shelby County. Your street address tells which county handles your case. Some Hoover streets cross the county line. A home on one end may be in Jefferson. The same street on the other end may be in Shelby.

Jefferson County also splits into two court divisions. The Birmingham Division covers east Jefferson. The Bessemer Division covers west Jefferson. Parts of Hoover fall in each area. If you live near the Riverchase Galleria, you are likely in the Birmingham Division. If you live closer to Bessemer, your case may go to the Bessemer Division. This split makes warrant searches more complex for Hoover residents.

To find all possible bench warrants in Hoover, you may need to contact:

• Hoover Municipal Court (for city ordinance warrants)
• Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Birmingham Division
• Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Bessemer Division
• Shelby County Circuit Clerk

Hoover Municipal Court

The Hoover Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases. This includes traffic tickets, code violations, and minor offenses that occur in city limits. The court is at the Public Safety Center on Valleydale Road. Judges can issue bench warrants when people miss their court dates or fail to pay fines.

The court sits at the same location as the Hoover Police Department. You can handle warrant matters during regular business hours. If you have a bench warrant from Hoover Municipal Court, call first. Staff can tell you what you need to bring. They may give you a new court date. In some cases, you may need to post bond before your case moves forward.

City vs County Bench Warrants in Hoover

Not all bench warrants are the same. City warrants and county warrants come from different courts. They have different rules for how you clear them. Knowing which type you have helps you handle your case faster.

Hoover Municipal Court issues warrants for city matters only. These include traffic stops in Hoover, noise complaints, building code issues, and other local ordinances. The maximum jail time for these cases is limited. Fines vary based on the offense. You clear these warrants through the Municipal Court on Valleydale Road.

County courts handle more serious matters. Circuit Court deals with felonies. District Court handles misdemeanors that are not just city ordinances. A DUI in Hoover goes to county court, not municipal court. Drug charges go to county court. Any felony goes to county court. For these warrants, you must deal with the county clerk and sheriff, not the city.

If you are not sure which court issued your warrant, start with Hoover Municipal Court. They can tell you if they have a warrant in your name. If not, you need to check the county courts. This may mean calling Jefferson County (both divisions) and Shelby County to be thorough.

How to Search for Hoover Bench Warrants

You can search for bench warrants in Hoover several ways. The best method depends on what type of warrant you think you have. Start with the most likely source and work outward. Most people with Hoover warrants find them at the Municipal Court level.

For Hoover Municipal Court warrants, call (205) 444-7526. Staff can look up your name and tell you if a warrant exists. You can also visit the court in person at the Public Safety Center. Bring a valid photo ID. The court keeps records of all warrants they have issued.

For county-level warrants, you have several options. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com lets you search court records online. This covers Jefferson and Shelby counties. A name search costs $9.99. You can see case details and status. This may show if a bench warrant has been issued in your case. The search does not show all warrant types, so phone calls may still be needed.

You can also call the Sheriff's offices directly:

• Jefferson County Sheriff Warrants: (205) 325-5725
• Shelby County Sheriff: (205) 669-4181

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

How to Clear a Hoover Bench Warrant

Clearing a bench warrant in Hoover takes planning. Do not ignore it. The warrant will not go away on its own. You could be arrested at a traffic stop, your job, or anywhere police run your name. Taking care of it yourself gives you more control over the outcome.

For Hoover Municipal Court warrants, start by calling the court at (205) 444-7526. Ask about your case status. Find out what you need to do. In many cases, you can get a new court date. You may need to pay old fines first. The court staff can explain your options. Go to court on your new date and handle the matter.

Some people hire a lawyer before turning in. An attorney can contact the court for you. They may be able to arrange a bond in advance. This can mean less time in custody. For simple matters, you may not need a lawyer. For serious charges, legal help makes a big difference.

For county bench warrants, the process is similar but you deal with different offices. Call the Circuit Clerk in the right county. Ask about your case. You may be able to arrange 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 faster than waiting to be picked up on a random traffic stop.

Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, bench warrant records are public records. Anyone can find out if you have one. Employers, landlords, and others may check. Clearing your warrant removes this problem from your record.

Hoover Police Department

The Hoover Police Department shares the Public Safety Center with Municipal Court. Officers can run warrant checks. If you have questions about an arrest or citation, they can point you in the right direction. The department is one of the largest suburban police forces in Alabama.

Hoover Police can arrest on any active bench warrant. This includes warrants from other cities, counties, or states if they show up in the system. If you have a warrant, handle it on your own terms. Do not wait to get pulled over or contacted by police on an unrelated matter.

Hoover Bench Warrant Fees and Costs

Fees for bench warrants in Hoover depend on the court and case type. Municipal Court fees differ from county court fees. Fines add up over time. Late fees and warrant costs make the total higher than the original ticket.

Common Hoover Municipal Court fees include:

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

If you cannot pay, ask about a payment plan. Courts often allow monthly payments. You may be able to do community service instead of paying fines. Ask the court clerk what options exist. Do not let money be the reason you avoid handling your warrant. The court would rather work with you than issue more warrants.

For county court bench warrants, fees are higher. AlacourtAccess charges $9.99 per name search. Document images cost extra. Call the Circuit Clerk for current county court fees. Copy fees run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more.

Jefferson County Bench Warrants

Most of Hoover falls within Jefferson County. This is Alabama's most populous county. The 10th Judicial Circuit serves Jefferson County through two divisions. The Birmingham Division handles cases from east Jefferson, including most of Hoover. The Bessemer Division handles west Jefferson. Some parts of Hoover are in the Bessemer Division area.

View Jefferson County Bench Warrants

Shelby County Bench Warrants

Part of Hoover lies in Shelby County. This is the fastest-growing county in Alabama. The 18th Judicial Circuit serves Shelby County. If you live on the Shelby County side of Hoover, your case goes to the Shelby County court system. The county seat is in Columbiana.

Shelby County does not have online warrant lists like some counties. You must call or visit to check for warrants. The county is one of the wealthiest in Alabama. Court operations are modern and efficient.

State Resources for Hoover Warrant Searches

Alabama has statewide tools that can help with bench warrant searches. These cover all counties, including the parts of Jefferson and Shelby that make up Hoover. The state system is called Alacourt.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com is the main public portal. You can search court records from all 67 Alabama counties. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status, charges, and court dates. If a bench warrant has been entered in the system, it may show up here.

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts runs the system. Their main office is at 300 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery. You can reach them at 1-866-954-9411. They handle questions about the statewide court system.

For criminal background checks, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency offers a formal process. ALEA charges $25 for a background check. You must submit fingerprints. This shows more detail than AlacourtAccess. It includes all criminal history on file with the state. Apply through alea.gov.

Legal Help in Hoover

If you have a bench warrant in Hoover, you may want legal help. A lawyer can advise you on your options. They can contact the court on your behalf. For serious charges, having an attorney makes a real difference in how your case turns out.

Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents. They have an office in Birmingham that serves the Hoover area. Call (205) 328-3540 or the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995. They focus on cases involving domestic violence and other urgent matters. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info.

The Birmingham Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. Call (205) 251-8006 to get connected with an attorney. The Alabama State Bar also runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660.

If you cannot afford a lawyer and face criminal charges, you may qualify for a public defender. Tell the judge at your first court appearance that you need a court-appointed attorney. The court will check your income. If you qualify, they will assign a lawyer to your case at no cost.

Nearby Cities

Hoover sits in the Birmingham metro area. It borders several other cities with their own courts. If you have cases in more than one city, you may have warrants in multiple places. Check each city where you may have had a case.

• Birmingham - County seat of Jefferson County
• Tuscaloosa - 50 miles southwest