Warrant records are public documents in Houston 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 all citizens, with certain exceptions for confidential or sensitive information. 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."
In Houston County, warrant records maintained by the Houston County Sheriff's Office and the county court system fall under this provision. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental purposes:
Individuals seeking warrant information may access these records through designated channels established by county authorities, subject to applicable identification requirements and procedural guidelines.
Warrant records maintained by Houston County government offices typically contain comprehensive information regarding the legal authorization for law enforcement actions. Standard components of warrant records include:
Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 3.1, arrest warrants must be supported by probable cause determined by a neutral magistrate. The documentation of this determination becomes part of the official warrant record.
Houston County residents and interested parties may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by county authorities. Free warrant verification services include:
In-person inquiries at the Houston County Sheriff's Office
Houston County Sheriff's Office
144 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4808
Official Website
Public Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Terminal access at the Houston County Courthouse
Houston County Courthouse
462 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4700
Public Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Telephone verification through the Sheriff's Records Division at (334) 677-4808 (proper identification verification required)
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information, including full legal name and date of birth, to ensure accurate results. Per departmental policy, photo identification may be required for certain types of warrant inquiries.
The Houston County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are classified according to their legal purpose and authorization scope:
Under Alabama Code § 15-10-3, sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers are empowered to execute arrest warrants throughout their jurisdiction. The Sheriff's Warrant Division maintains records of all active warrants and coordinates execution efforts with other agencies when necessary.
For warrant status inquiries, individuals may contact:
Houston County Sheriff's Warrant Division
144 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4809
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Houston County maintains multiple channels through which individuals may verify their warrant status. Current verification methods include:
Online warrant search through the Houston County Sheriff's Office website (requires registration and identity verification)
Direct inquiry at the Houston County Community Corrections Center
164 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4219
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Telephone verification through the Circuit Clerk's Office at (334) 677-4719
Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 33, court records including warrant information are maintained in the state's Alacourt system. Authorized personnel can access this system to provide warrant status information upon proper request.
When conducting a warrant status check, individuals should be prepared to provide:
For privacy and security reasons, warrant information regarding third parties may be subject to additional verification requirements or limitations.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Houston County is facilitated through established procedures administered by county judicial and law enforcement agencies. Authorized search methods include:
In-person inquiry at the Houston County Sheriff's Office Records Division
144 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4808
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Written request submitted to the Circuit Court Clerk
Houston County Circuit Court Clerk
462 N. Oates Street, Room 106
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4719
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Alabama statewide warrant search through authorized public access points
In accordance with Alabama Code § 15-22-36.1, certain warrant information may be restricted if related to ongoing investigations or sensitive matters. Law enforcement officials may exercise discretion regarding the release of specific warrant details when disclosure could compromise public safety or investigative integrity.
For comprehensive warrant searches, requestors should consider checking records in all jurisdictions where they have resided or had significant contacts, as warrants may be issued in multiple counties.