Lee County Bench Warrant Search
Lee County bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not comply with a court order. The Circuit Clerk in Opelika keeps all bench warrant records. Lee County is in east-central Alabama and is home to Auburn University. The 37th Judicial Circuit serves this fast-growing county with over 174,000 residents.
Lee County Quick Facts
What Is a Bench Warrant in Lee County?
A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. The name comes from the judge's bench. Judges issue these warrants when someone misses a court date. They also issue them when a person fails to pay fines or breaks probation rules.
Bench warrants are different from arrest warrants. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. Police need evidence and probable cause to get one. A bench warrant is for not following court rules in an existing case. The judge issues it because you failed to do what the court told you to do.
In Lee County, the Circuit Court handles felony cases. The District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters. Municipal Courts in Auburn and Opelika handle city ordinance violations. All these courts can issue bench warrants for failure to appear.
Under Code of Alabama Section 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them before the court. Felony bench warrants in Lee County never expire. Misdemeanor warrants may have time limits but are often renewed.
Lee County and Auburn University
Auburn University is in Lee County. Over 30,000 students attend. Many students do not realize that a bench warrant can follow them after they leave. A warrant issued in Lee County stays active until cleared, even if you move away.
Students who get tickets or citations need to show up for court dates. Missing a court date will result in a bench warrant. This can cause problems when you try to get a job after graduation. Background checks show active warrants.
If you are a current or former Auburn student with a Lee County bench warrant, deal with it now. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. An active warrant can lead to arrest during traffic stops anywhere in Alabama. It can also affect your ability to get professional licenses.
Lee County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama. The population grew over 23% in recent years. More people means more cases and more warrants. Do not let yours slip through the cracks.
Lee County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Lee County. This includes bench warrants, case files, and court orders. Staff can search for warrants and give you copies of documents. The clerk office handles requests in person, by phone, and by mail.
| Address |
2311 Gateway Dr., Room 104 Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 737-3526 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lee.alacourt.gov |
| Magistrates/Warrants | lee.alacourt.gov/magistrates-warrants/ |
The Lee County Justice Center is on Gateway Drive in Opelika. This is not downtown. Make sure you go to the right location. Parking is free. Bring a valid ID when you visit.
Lee County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff keeps copies of active warrants in Lee County. They execute bench warrants when they find the named person. You can call to ask if a warrant exists. The Sheriff's office works with Auburn Police and Opelika Police on warrant matters.
| Sheriff | Jay Jones |
|---|---|
| Address |
1900 Frederick Road Opelika, AL 36801 |
| Phone | (334) 749-5651 |
Lee County uses VINELink for victim notification. This system alerts victims when the person in their case is released from custody. If you turn yourself in on a bench warrant, victims in your case may be notified.
How to Search Lee County Bench Warrants
There are several ways to check for bench warrants in Lee County. The method you use depends on how fast you need the info.
Call the Sheriff: Call (334) 749-5651 to check for active warrants. Have the full name and date of birth ready. This is free and often the fastest option.
Call the Circuit Clerk: Call (334) 737-3526 to search court records. The clerk can check for bench warrants in any case. They may ask you to visit for detailed requests.
Lee County Court Website: The magistrates and warrants page has useful info about how warrants work in Lee County.
Alacourt Access: Search court records online at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. This shows case details and any bench warrants issued.
Visit in Person: Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 2311 Gateway Dr. in Opelika. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search records and provide copies.
Most bench warrant records are public under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. Some records for juveniles and sealed cases have limits on access.
How to Clear a Lee County Bench Warrant
A bench warrant will not go away on its own. You must take action to clear it. Waiting only makes things worse. Police can arrest you at any time once a warrant is active.
The best option is to hire a lawyer. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant. They can negotiate with the court and may help you avoid jail time. A lawyer knows the local judges and how the Lee County courts work.
You can turn yourself in without a lawyer. Go to the Lee County Jail or Justice Center during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell staff you have a warrant. A judge will decide about bail. You may post bond right away or may need to wait.
If your warrant is for unpaid fines, be ready to talk about money. Courts work with people who cannot pay everything at once. Ask about a payment plan. Showing up and making an effort helps your case with the judge.
Bench warrants show up on background checks. An active warrant can cost you a job, an apartment, or a professional license. If you are an Auburn student or grad, this can affect your career. Clear your warrant now.
Lee County Bench Warrant Fees
Several fees apply when dealing with bench warrants in Lee County. Some searches are free. Others have costs.
- Sheriff phone check: Free
- Alacourt name search: $9.99
- Document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages
- Regular copies: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 and up
If your bench warrant is for unpaid fines, you will owe those amounts plus possible fees for the warrant. Ask the clerk for a total before you appear. The court may add costs to your original amount.
Legal Help in Lee County
If you cannot afford a lawyer, options exist in Lee County.
Legal Services Alabama: Free legal help for low-income residents. The Montgomery office serves Lee County. Call (334) 264-1471 or toll-free at (800) 844-3754.
Public Defender: If you qualify by income, the court can appoint a public defender. Ask about this at your first court appearance.
Alabama State Bar Referral: Get connected with local lawyers. Call (800) 392-5660. Some attorneys offer low-cost first meetings.
Alabama State Court Resources
These state resources can help with Lee County bench warrant matters.
Alacourt Portal: Main court portal at alacourt.gov with forms and court info.
Alabama eForms: Free court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov.
AlaPay: Pay fines online at alapay.com.
ALEA Background Check: Get your own record from ALEA Criminal Records for $25.
Cities in Lee County
Lee County has two main cities: Opelika and Auburn. Both have municipal courts that can issue bench warrants for city violations. County-level bench warrants are handled by the Circuit and District Courts in Opelika.
Opelika is the county seat and has about 31,000 residents. Auburn has over 83,000 residents, making it the larger city. Both cities work with the Lee County Sheriff on warrant matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lee County. Make sure you know which county issued your warrant before trying to clear it.