Search Lamar County Bench Warrants

Lamar County bench warrants are issued when someone misses a court date or fails to follow a court order. The Circuit Clerk in Vernon keeps all court records for this small rural county. Lamar County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit along with Fayette and Pickens counties. The courthouse is moving to a new location, so check the current address before you visit.

What Is a Bench Warrant in Lamar County?

A bench warrant is a court order. It tells law enforcement to arrest someone. The name comes from the judge's bench. Judges issue bench warrants when a person fails to show up for court. They also issue them when someone does not pay fines or follow other court orders.

Bench warrants differ from arrest warrants. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. A bench warrant is for not following rules in a case that already exists. In Lamar County, the Circuit Court handles felony bench warrants. The District Court handles misdemeanor and traffic cases. Both courts operate from the same courthouse in Vernon.

Under Code of Alabama Section 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands any peace officer to arrest the person and bring them to court. Felony bench warrants in Lamar County never expire. They stay active until the court recalls them or police serve them. Misdemeanor warrants may have time limits, but courts often renew them.

Lamar County Courthouse Transition

The Lamar County courthouse is moving to a new location. The new address is 205 Butler Circle SW in Vernon. This is behind the Dollar General store. Staff began the move in late 2024. If you plan to visit in person, call ahead to confirm which building to go to.

The old courthouse was on 1st Street NE. Some county offices may still use the old address while others have moved. The Circuit Clerk office handles all bench warrant records. Call them at (205) 695-7193 to ask where they are now located.

Mail sent to the old address may be delayed. If you need to send court documents, call first to get the right address. This is important if you have a bench warrant and need to file paperwork with the court.

Lamar County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Lamar County. This includes bench warrants, case files, and court orders. Staff can search for warrants and give you copies of documents. The clerk office is your first stop for any court record request.

Lamar County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's office keeps copies of active warrants. They execute bench warrants when they find the person named. You can call the Sheriff to ask if a warrant exists. Many people call before they turn themselves in. This lets them know what to expect.

Lamar County is a small county. The Sheriff's office handles all law enforcement outside city limits. They work with Vernon Police for city matters. If you have a bench warrant, the Sheriff or local police can arrest you any time they find you.

How to Search Lamar County Bench Warrants

Lamar County does not have an online warrant search tool. You must call or visit in person to check for bench warrants. There are several ways to search for warrants in this county.

Call the Sheriff: The Sheriff's office at (205) 695-7222 can tell you if a warrant exists. Have the full name and date of birth ready. This is free and often the fastest option.

Call the Circuit Clerk: Call (205) 695-7193 to search court records. The clerk can tell you about any bench warrants in the system. They may ask you to come in for detailed searches.

Alacourt Access: Use the state court search at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. This shows case details and any bench warrants issued in the case.

Visit in Person: Go to the Circuit Clerk office in Vernon. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search records and print copies for you. Call ahead to confirm the current location due to the move.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, most bench warrant records are public. Anyone can request to see them. Some juvenile and sealed records have limits.

How to Clear a Lamar County Bench Warrant

A bench warrant will not go away on its own. You must deal with it. The longer you wait, the more problems it can cause. Police can arrest you during traffic stops, at work, or at home. Clear it now to avoid bigger issues later.

The best option is to hire a lawyer. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant. They can set a new court date and may appear on your behalf. In some cases, a lawyer can help you avoid jail or get a lower bond.

You can also turn yourself in. Go to the Lamar County Jail or the courthouse during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell staff you have a warrant. A judge will decide if you can post bail or must stay in jail until your court date.

If you owe fines or fees, be ready to talk about payment. Courts often work with people who cannot pay all at once. Ask about a payment plan. Showing up and making an effort goes a long way with judges.

Do not ignore a bench warrant. It shows up on background checks. Employers, landlords, and others can see it. A bench warrant can cost you a job or an apartment. Take care of it as soon as you can.

Lamar County Bench Warrant Fees

Several fees may apply when you deal with a bench warrant in Lamar County. Some searches are free. Others have costs. Here is what to expect.

• Sheriff phone check: Free
• Alacourt name search: $9.99
• Document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages
• Copy fees: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 and up

If your bench warrant is tied to unpaid fines or court costs, you will owe those too. Ask the clerk what the total amount is before you appear. The court may add fees for the warrant itself. Plan for extra costs on top of the original amount you owed.

24th Judicial Circuit

Lamar County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Fayette County and Pickens County. The same judges serve all three counties. They travel between courthouses on set schedules.

If your case is in Lamar County, you must appear at the Vernon courthouse. Even if a judge also serves Fayette or Pickens, your bench warrant stays with Lamar County. Do not go to the wrong courthouse or you could miss your date and get another warrant.

The 24th Circuit handles both criminal and civil cases. Circuit Court takes felonies and major civil matters. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims. Both types of courts can issue bench warrants for failure to appear.

Alabama State Court Resources

Several state resources can help with Lamar County bench warrant matters. These are useful when local options are limited.

Alacourt Portal: The main state court portal at alacourt.gov has forms, court rules, and links to local courts.

Alabama eForms: Get court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. Forms are free to download and print.

AlaPay: Pay court fines online at alapay.com. You need your case number and payment info.

ALEA Background Check: Request your own criminal record from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The fee is $25. This shows what others see when they check your background. Visit ALEA Criminal Records for details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lamar County. Make sure you know which county issued your warrant. You must deal with the right court to clear a bench warrant.