Magistrates are a part of the judicial branch of government and are required to exercise independent judgment in the issuance of arrest warrants. The United States Supreme Court has determined that persons issuing warrants must be "neutral and detached" from the law enforcement function.

JURISDICTION OF THE RUSSELL COUNTY WARRANT MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Misdemeanors - Offenses occurring outside each municipality city limits.
• Felonies - Offenses that occur in Russell County.
• Traffic - Offenses that occur in Russell County.
• Worthless Checks - All checks received in Russell County.

HOW TO OBTAIN A WARRANT:

Prior to obtaining a warrant, you will need to file an incident/offense report with the Russell County Sheriff's Department.  For misdemeanor charges and felonies (occurring outside a municipality’s city limits) you will need to go directly to the Sheriffs Department and file a report.  In the case of a felony offense, the investigator investigator will then come with you to the Clerks Office in order to obtain a warrant.  The Phenix City Municipal Court Magistrate issues all felonies and misdemeanors occurring inside the city limits. 

The investigator will accompany you to my office to see the Magistrate and you will be put under oath and fill out a deposition of the alleged crime, or the officer will have already completed the deposition. The magistrate will then make a determination as to whether there is probable cause for the issuance of a warrant. If probable cause is found, an arrest warrant is issued. There is no cost involved in this process. Please make careful consideration before you have someone arrested as we do not drop charges except in extenuating circumstances and you may be required to pay costs of court. An arrest warrant is NOT a matter of public record until it is served. If someone suspects that a warrant has been issued against them, they must appear in person at the Russell County Sheriff's Department.

Office location:
Russell County Judicial Center
501 14th Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Telephone: (334) 298-0516
(By appointment only)