MISDEMEANOR WARRANT PROCESS

• Warrant Packets should be filled out COMPLETELY & may be dropped off at the Clerk’s Office.

•  Submitting a request for a warrant DOES NOT guarantee that a warrant will be issued. A magistrate will review the information provided in the warrant packet and decide if there is sufficient probable cause to issue a warrant. You will be contacted at the number provided on your deposition regarding your request.

• An Incident/Offense report MUST be filed with the Sheriff’s Office or Police Dept., prior to applying for a warrant. (FILING AN INCIDENT/OFFENSE REPORT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT A WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED.) You MUST bring a copy of the report with you when applying for a warrant. The report will be returned to you, and you should bring the report to your scheduled court appearance.

• If a warrant is issued by the Clerk’s Office, it will be sent to the Sheriff’s Office to be served. The Clerk ‘s Office does not control how long the service process takes & you will not be notified when the warrant is served. It is the responsibility of the victim/complainant to contact the Clerk’s Office to obtain service status of the warrant.  (256-775-4654)

• The case will be put on the First Appearance Docket after the Defendant, (person committing the crime) is arrested. ONLY THE DEFENDANT is required to appear on this court date. They will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty on this date. The case will be set for trial if they enter a plea of not guilty. You will receive a subpoena from the Clerk’s Office for the scheduled trial date and you MUST appear on the trial date.

• It is YOUR responsibility to keep the Clerk’s Office informed of any changes in your contact information (address, phone#, etc.). Subpoenas are mailed out based on the information that YOU provided when the warrant was issued. If you fail to appear on your trial date, your case could be dismissed.

• Any supporting documents or records (medical records, estimates, photos etc.) will need to be brought to court with you on your scheduled trial date.

• A Restitution Affidavit form must be completed and filed with the Clerk’s Office before the Defendant’s first court appearance. (Restitution is money owed to you because of the offense.) The court cannot consider repayments to you if an affidavit has not been filed.