Search Perry County Bench Warrants

Perry County bench warrants are issued when someone misses a court date or fails to follow a court order. The Circuit Clerk in Marion keeps these records. Perry County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. This small rural county in the Black Belt region has deep ties to the civil rights movement. The Sheriff and Circuit Clerk work together to track active warrants.

What Is a Bench Warrant in Perry County?

A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. The judge issues it from the bench. When you miss court or break a court order, a judge can sign a bench warrant. This differs from an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. A bench warrant is for failing to follow rules in an existing case.

Perry County Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters. Both can issue bench warrants. The court clerk enters the warrant into the state system. Law enforcement across Alabama can then see it and make an arrest.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands officers to arrest the person and bring them before the court. Felony bench warrants in Perry County never expire. They stay active until served or recalled by the court. Misdemeanor warrants may be valid for 180 days to one year, but courts often renew them.

Perry County has a unique place in civil rights history. Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot here on February 18, 1965. His death led to the Selma to Montgomery march and Bloody Sunday. The federal courthouse is named in his honor. The county still sees its share of criminal cases and bench warrants from failure to appear situations.

Perry County Civil Rights Legacy

Perry County played a key role in the civil rights movement. The shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson here helped spark the march from Selma to Montgomery. Today, the county honors this history while still handling modern court matters.

The court system here works like any other Alabama county. People fail to appear for court. They get bench warrants. The process to clear them is the same. But the historical weight of this place reminds everyone that justice matters. If you have a warrant here, take care of it.

Perry County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Perry County. This includes bench warrants. Staff can search for warrants and provide copies of court documents. Call ahead to check what you need to bring.

The clerk office is in the county courthouse in downtown Marion. Parking is free on the street and in nearby lots. The staff handles all civil and criminal case files. They can tell you about any bench warrants on record.

Perry County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff keeps copies of active warrants. You can call to ask if a warrant exists. Many people call before turning in so they know what to expect. The Sheriff's office can tell you the charge and bond amount.

Perry County is small. The Sheriff's office handles a modest number of warrants each year. But felony warrants stay active forever. Do not assume a warrant went away just because time passed. Check to be sure.

How to Search Perry County Bench Warrants

You can search for bench warrants in Perry County in a few ways. The best method depends on how fast you need information and if you want to do it yourself.

Call the Sheriff: The quickest free option. Call (334) 683-6534 and ask if a warrant exists. Have the full name and date of birth ready. Staff can usually check right away.

Call the Circuit Clerk: The clerk at (334) 683-6106 can check court records. They can tell you about any warrants and case details. Some searches may require you to visit in person.

Alacourt Access: Search court records at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. This shows case details including any bench warrants issued. Document images cost extra.

Visit in Person: Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 300 Washington Street in Marion. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search and print copies. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

ALEA Background Check: For a full criminal history, request a background check from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. This costs $25 and requires fingerprints. Send requests to ALEA at P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511.

How to Clear a Bench Warrant in Perry County

If you have an active bench warrant in Perry County, you must deal with it. A warrant will not go away on its own. It stays in the system until you handle it or police arrest you.

The safest approach is to hire a lawyer. A lawyer can file a motion to recall the warrant. They may get a new court date set. In some cases, the lawyer can appear for you before you turn in. This can help you get a lower bond or avoid jail time.

You can also turn yourself in. Go to the Perry County Jail or courthouse during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell them you have a warrant. A judge will decide if you get bail or must stay in custody.

Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, bench warrant records are public. Anyone can request them. Employers and landlords often check. An active warrant can hurt your job search and housing options. Clear it now.

If you owe fines or court costs, you may need to pay those too. Ask the clerk what you owe. Payment plans are sometimes available for people who cannot pay all at once.

Perry County Bench Warrant Fees

Fees apply when you search records or resolve a case. The Sheriff phone check is usually free. Formal searches and copies have costs.

• Alacourt name search: $9.99
• Alacourt document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages
• Copy fees: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 and up
• ALEA background check: $25.00
• Sheriff phone check: Free

Court costs and fines vary by case type. Failure to appear often adds extra fees to what you already owed. Ask the clerk for a full accounting before you appear in court.

Alabama State Court Resources

Perry County is part of Alabama's unified court system. Several state resources can help you.

Alabama Administrative Office of Courts: The AOC runs the statewide Alacourt system. Visit alacourt.gov for court forms and information.

Alabama eForms: Find court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. This includes forms to request records or file motions.

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

ALEA: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency handles background checks. Call (334) 676-7700 or visit alea.gov for criminal history requests.

Legal Help in Perry County

If you cannot afford a lawyer, some groups offer free help. Legal aid serves low-income residents in Perry County.

Legal Services Alabama: Free legal help for those who qualify. Call (334) 832-4570 or toll-free at (866) 456-4995. They cover civil matters and can advise on criminal cases.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral: Get a referral to a local attorney. The first meeting may be low cost. Call (800) 392-5660.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Perry County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the offense happened.