Shelby County Bench Warrant Lookup
Shelby County bench warrants are issued when someone misses a court date or fails to follow a court order. The Circuit Clerk in Columbiana keeps all court records. Shelby County is the fastest-growing county in Alabama and ranks among the fastest in the nation. The 18th Judicial Circuit serves this county. The Sheriff and Circuit Clerk offices handle bench warrant inquiries daily.
Shelby County Quick Facts
What Is a Bench Warrant in Shelby County?
A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. It comes from the judge's bench. When you miss court or break a court order, the judge can issue one. This differs from an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. A bench warrant is for not following court rules.
Shelby County Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters. Both can issue bench warrants. Cities like Hoover, Pelham, and Alabaster have municipal courts that also issue bench warrants for city violations.
Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands officers to arrest the person and bring them to court. Felony bench warrants never expire. They stay active until served or recalled. Misdemeanor warrants may last 180 days to one year.
Shelby County's fast growth brings more people and more court cases. The court system is busy. But do not assume a warrant got lost in the shuffle. They track every one. If you have a warrant here, it is still active.
Alabama's Fastest Growing County
Shelby County leads Alabama in growth. Population has more than doubled in recent decades. The county ranks first in the state for education. Median incomes are the highest in Alabama. Cities like Hoover, Pelham, and Helena attract new residents every year.
Growth brings more court cases. Traffic tickets increase. Domestic matters rise. Criminal cases grow. With more cases come more failures to appear. More bench warrants get issued.
Part of Hoover is in Shelby County. If you live in a Hoover ZIP code on the Shelby side, your county cases go through Shelby County courts, not Jefferson. Make sure you know which county handles your case.
Shelby County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records. This includes bench warrants. Staff can search for warrants and provide copies. The 1908 marble courthouse in Columbiana is a historic landmark.
| Circuit Clerk | Mary H. Harris |
|---|---|
| Address |
112 North Main Street Columbiana, AL 35051 |
| Phone | (205) 669-3760 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | shelby.alacourt.gov |
The Columbiana courthouse is in the historic downtown area. Parking is available on the square. The clerk office handles a high volume of requests. Call ahead if you need certified copies.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff keeps copies of active warrants. You can call to check if a warrant exists. The Sheriff's office has a modern training center and serves the county's growing population.
| Sheriff | John Samaniego |
|---|---|
| Address |
380 McDow Road Columbiana, AL 35051 |
| Phone | (205) 669-4181 |
The Shelby County Sheriff runs a professional operation. The training center includes a 24-lane pistol range. Staff can check for warrants over the phone. Call before turning in so you know what to expect.
How to Search Shelby County Bench Warrants
You can search for bench warrants in Shelby County several ways. The best method depends on your needs.
Call the Sheriff: The fastest free option. Call (205) 669-4181 and ask if a warrant exists. Have the full name and date of birth ready.
Call the Circuit Clerk: The clerk at (205) 669-3760 can check court records. They can tell you about warrants and case details.
Alacourt Access: Search court records 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 at 112 North Main Street in Columbiana. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search and print copies.
ALEA Background Check: For a full criminal history, request a check from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. This costs $25 and requires fingerprints.
How to Clear a Bench Warrant in Shelby County
If you have a bench warrant in Shelby County, you must address it. The warrant will not go away on its own. It stays active until you handle it or police arrest you.
Hiring a lawyer is the safest way. A lawyer can file a motion to recall the warrant and request a new court date. They can appear for you before you turn in. This may help with bail.
You can turn yourself in. Go to the Shelby County Jail or courthouse during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell staff about the warrant. A judge will decide on bail.
Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, bench warrant records are public. Employers and landlords can check. In a county with high education and income levels, background checks are common. Clear the warrant before it causes problems.
If you owe fines, you may need to pay those too. Ask the clerk what you owe. Payment plans may be available.
Shelby County Bench Warrant Fees
Fees apply when you search records or handle your case. The Sheriff's phone check is usually free. Other services 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. Failure to appear adds extra fees. Ask the clerk for a full accounting.
Alabama State Court Resources
Shelby County is part of Alabama's unified court system. These state resources can help you.
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts: The AOC runs the Alacourt system. Visit alacourt.gov for forms and info.
Alabama eForms: Get court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov.
AlaPay: Pay fines online at alapay.com. You need your case number.
ALEA: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency handles background checks. Call (334) 676-7700.
Legal Help in Shelby County
If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid may help. These groups serve Shelby County residents.
Legal Services Alabama: Free legal help for those who qualify. Call (205) 328-3540 or toll-free (866) 456-4995.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral: Get connected to a local lawyer. Call (800) 392-5660.
Cities in Shelby County
Shelby County has many cities and towns. All file cases at the Shelby County Circuit Court. Municipal courts handle city violations.
Other cities in Shelby County include Pelham, Alabaster, Helena, Montevallo, Chelsea, Calera, and Columbiana. Part of Hoover is in Shelby County while part is in Jefferson County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Shelby County. Check where your offense occurred to know which county handles your case.