Henry County Bench Warrant Lookup

Henry County bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not comply with a court order. The Circuit Clerk in Abbeville maintains all official court records. The 20th Judicial Circuit serves Henry County along with Houston County. All county offices are located in one building, making it easy to handle court matters in a single trip.

What Is a Bench Warrant in Henry County?

A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. The judge issues it from the bench. In Henry County, judges issue bench warrants when someone misses a court date or fails to follow a court order. This differs from an arrest warrant for a new crime.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant orders law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them before the court. Officers can execute the warrant at any time. There are no restrictions on when they can arrest you.

Felony bench warrants never expire in Henry County. They stay active until served or recalled. Misdemeanor warrants may have limits but can be renewed. A bench warrant will not go away if you ignore it. Deal with it before law enforcement comes for you.

Bench Warrant vs Arrest Warrant

People often confuse these two types. They work differently. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. Police gather evidence. They ask a judge to sign the warrant. Then officers arrest the suspect. A bench warrant is different.

A bench warrant comes from the court itself. You already had a case. You missed a hearing. You did not pay fines. You failed to complete probation. You skipped community service. Any of these can result in a bench warrant in Henry County.

Both types go into the state computer. Both let police arrest you. Both show up on background checks. The main difference is why they exist. A bench warrant means you had court business and did not handle it properly.

Henry County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Henry County. This includes bench warrants, case files, and judgments. The office is on West Court Square in downtown Abbeville. Staff can search for warrants and provide copies.

All Henry County offices are in one building. This makes it easy to handle multiple matters in a single visit. The Probate Judge also serves as the County Commission Chairman, which is only the case in 16 Alabama counties.

Henry County Sheriff's Office

The Henry County Sheriff maintains copies of active warrants. Deputies serve papers and make arrests. You can call to check if a warrant exists. Many people call before turning themselves in.

The Sheriff's phone check is usually free. Have the full name and date of birth ready when you call. Deputies can tell you if a warrant exists and what the bond amount is.

How to Search Henry County Bench Warrants

There are several ways to check for bench warrants in Henry County. Pick the method that works best for you. Some are free. Others have fees.

Call the Sheriff: Call (334) 585-3131. Ask if a warrant exists. Have the name and birth date ready. This is quick and usually free.

Call the Circuit Clerk: Call (334) 585-2753. The clerk can search court records. They may ask you to come in person for a detailed search.

Alacourt Access: Search online at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case details and any bench warrants from Alabama courts.

Visit in Person: Go to the clerk office at the courthouse. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search records and print copies. Certified copies cost extra.

ALEA Background Check: For a full criminal history, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The fee is $25. This covers all Alabama counties.

How to Clear a Henry County Bench Warrant

A bench warrant will not disappear on its own. Ignoring it only makes things worse. The warrant stays active until you address it. Here are your options.

Hire a Lawyer: This is the safest path. A lawyer can file a motion to recall the warrant. They may get you a new court date without jail time. The lawyer can appear with you when you turn yourself in.

Turn Yourself In: Go to the Henry County Jail or the courthouse during business hours. Tell them you have a warrant. Bring your ID. A judge will decide on bail or release.

Post Bond: Some warrants have a set bond amount. If you can pay it, you may get out quickly. Ask the Sheriff about the bond before you go in. A bondsman can help if you cannot pay the full amount.

Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, bench warrant records are public. Employers and landlords check for warrants. Clear yours to protect your job and housing.

Henry County Bench Warrant Fees

Fees apply for searches and copies. Here are the common costs:

• Alacourt name search: $9.99
• Alacourt document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages
• Copy fees at clerk office: varies by page count
• Certified copies: $5.00 and up
• ALEA background check: $25.00
• Sheriff phone check: usually free

If your warrant is for unpaid fines, you still owe those. The warrant may add court costs. Ask the clerk what you owe before you appear. Payment plans may be available.

Henry County Court Information

Abbeville is the county seat and largest town. Henry County is a small, rural county in southeast Alabama. The county borders Georgia to the east. All county offices are in a single building on the town square.

The 20th Judicial Circuit serves Henry and Houston counties. Houston County, home to Dothan, is much larger. But Henry County maintains its own court system with regular docket days. Judges travel between both counties.

In 2022, the Herndon Building was donated to the county for use by the Probate Office and County Commission. Henry County continues to consolidate services to serve residents better with limited resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Henry County or are in the same judicial circuit. Make sure you know which county issued your warrant.