Search Morgan County Bench Warrants
Morgan County bench warrants are issued when someone misses a court date or fails to follow a court order. The Sheriff's office maintains an online warrant list at morgancountysheriffal.gov. This is one of the few Alabama counties where you can see active warrants online. Morgan County has the city of Decatur and over 20,000 active warrants in the system.
Morgan County Quick Facts
What Is a Bench Warrant in Morgan County?
A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. It comes from the judge's bench. When someone misses a court date, the judge issues a bench warrant. Not paying fines or breaking probation rules can also result in a bench warrant.
Bench warrants differ from arrest warrants. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. Police need evidence and probable cause. A bench warrant is for not following rules in an existing case. The judge issues it because you did not do what the court told you.
In Morgan County, Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters. Municipal Court in Decatur handles city violations. All can issue bench warrants. Under Code of Alabama Section 15-10-60, these warrants command law enforcement to arrest the named person.
Felony bench warrants in Morgan County never expire. They stay active until served or recalled. Misdemeanor warrants may have time limits, but courts often renew them. With over 20,000 active warrants, yours is still in the system.
Morgan County Online Warrant List
Morgan County is one of the few Alabama counties with an online warrant list. The Sheriff's office publishes this on their website. You can check if you or someone else has an active warrant without calling.
Warrant List URL: morgancountysheriffal.gov/warrants.php
The list shows active warrants in the Sheriff's system. It is updated on a schedule. New warrants may not appear right away. The search is free and available anytime.
Morgan County has over 20,000 active warrants. This is a large number for the county size. Many warrants are years old. If you think yours went away, check the list. It is probably still there.
Morgan County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Morgan County. This includes bench warrants, case files, and court orders. For official court records and copies, contact the clerk office. The online Sheriff list is for checking active warrants only.
| Circuit Clerk | Chris Priest |
|---|---|
| Address |
302 Lee Street NE, 4th Floor Decatur, AL 35601 |
| Phone | (256) 351-4790 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | morgancounty-al.gov |
The courthouse is on Lee Street NE in downtown Decatur. Parking is available nearby. Bring a valid ID when you visit.
Morgan County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff keeps copies of active warrants and maintains the online list. They execute bench warrants when they find the named person. You can check the list online or call for more info.
| Sheriff's Office |
119 Lee St NE Decatur, AL 35601 Phone: (256) 351-4825 |
|---|---|
| Online Warrant List | morgancountysheriffal.gov/warrants.php |
Morgan County is on the Tennessee River. The area has major employers like Blue Origin, which is building its largest rocket factory here. If you work in aerospace or manufacturing, an active warrant can affect your job.
How to Search Morgan County Bench Warrants
Morgan County offers several ways to search for bench warrants, including a free online list. Here are all your options.
Online Warrant List: Go to morgancountysheriffal.gov/warrants.php. This is free and available 24/7. Browse or search the list for names.
Call the Sheriff: Call (256) 351-4825 to check for active warrants by phone. Have the full name and date of birth ready.
Call the Circuit Clerk: Call (256) 351-4790 to search court records. The clerk can provide details about cases and bench warrants.
Alacourt Access: Search court records online at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case details and any bench warrants issued.
Visit in Person: Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 302 Lee Street NE. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search records and provide copies.
How to Clear a Morgan County Bench Warrant
A bench warrant will not go away on its own. Morgan County has over 20,000 active warrants. Yours is one of them. You must take action to clear it.
The best option is to hire a lawyer. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant. They know the Morgan County judges and how the courts work. A lawyer may help you avoid jail or get a lower bond.
You can turn yourself in without a lawyer. Go to the Morgan County Jail or courthouse. Bring your ID. Tell staff you have a warrant. A judge will decide about bail.
If your warrant is for unpaid fines, be ready to discuss payment. Courts work with people who cannot pay all at once. Ask about a payment plan. Showing up counts for a lot with judges.
Morgan County has major employers. Blue Origin, 3M, and other companies do background checks. An active bench warrant will show up. It can cost you a good job. Clear your warrant now.
Morgan County Bench Warrant Fees
Several fees apply when dealing with bench warrants in Morgan County. The online list is free. Other services have costs.
- Online warrant list: Free
- 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 or court costs, you will owe those amounts too. The court may add fees for the warrant. Ask the clerk for a total before you appear.
Decatur: The River City
Decatur is known as the "River City" for its location on the Tennessee River. It is also called the "Grand City on a Charming Scale." Major employers include 3M, GE Appliances, Daikin, and NUCOR Steel.
Blue Origin is building its largest rocket factory in Morgan County. This brings high-paying aerospace jobs. These employers do background checks. An active bench warrant can disqualify you from good jobs.
Point Mallard Park is a popular waterpark in Decatur. Many visitors come to the area. If you have a bench warrant and visit, be careful. Local police work with the Sheriff on warrant service.
Alabama State Court Resources
These state resources can help with Morgan County bench warrant matters.
Alacourt Portal: Main court portal at alacourt.gov with forms and 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.
Legal Services Alabama: Free legal help for low-income residents. Huntsville office at (256) 536-9645.
Cities in Morgan County
Morgan County includes the city of Decatur and several smaller cities. Decatur has its own municipal court. County-level bench warrants are handled at the courthouse on Lee Street.
Decatur has nearly 58,000 residents. It is the 10th largest city in Alabama. Other cities in the county include Hartselle and Priceville.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Morgan County. Make sure you know which county issued your warrant before trying to clear it.