Warrants are public record in Hale County, Alabama pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that public writings are accessible for examination by citizens to ensure transparency and accountability within the judicial system. The law specifically states that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."
Warrant records maintained by the Hale County Circuit Court are considered public documents because they are issued by a court of law, which operates as a public entity. These records serve multiple public interests, including:
The Alabama Open Records Act further reinforces this access by requiring government agencies to make records available during regular business hours. However, certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by court order if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or public safety.
Warrant records in Hale County typically contain comprehensive information related to the legal action authorized. Standard elements included in these documents are:
The Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama - Hale County magistrates are responsible for ensuring all warrants contain legally sufficient information before issuance. Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 3.1, all warrants must be based on probable cause supported by affidavit or testimony.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Hale County through several no-cost methods established under Alabama public records provisions:
When requesting warrant information, individuals should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to ensure accurate results. Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-1-.06, government agencies may require proper identification before releasing certain records.
The Hale County Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants issued by judicial authorities within the jurisdiction. These legal documents authorize specific law enforcement actions and fall into several categories:
Sheriff Michael Hamilton's office processes these warrants in accordance with Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. The Sheriff's Office is located at:
Hale County Sheriff's Office
1001 Main Street
Greensboro, AL 36744
Phone: (334) 624-3081
Official Website
Law enforcement officials are required to execute warrants in compliance with constitutional protections and procedural requirements established in Alabama Code § 15-5-7 through § 15-5-14, which govern warrant execution procedures.
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Hale County have multiple verification options available through official channels. The following methods provide current information on active warrants:
When conducting a warrant search, individuals must provide accurate identifying information including full legal name and date of birth. Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 33, certain court records may be accessible electronically, though some restrictions apply to sensitive information.
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains standardized procedures for records requests across all county jurisdictions, ensuring consistent access protocols throughout the state.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Hale County requires interaction with the appropriate judicial and law enforcement agencies. The following procedures are established for public access to this information:
Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records, though viewing records is typically provided without charge. The standard fee for warrant record copies in Hale County is $1.00 per page as authorized by Alabama Code § 12-19-90.
For individuals concerned about potential warrants in multiple jurisdictions, the Alabama Department of Corrections maintains a statewide database that includes information on individuals with active warrants who have previous incarceration records.