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 CHAMBERS COUNTY WARRANT MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Misdemeanors - Offenses occurring in the city limits of LaFayette, Lanett, and Valley, as well as all areas in the county outside of the city police jurisdictions.
• Felonies - Offenses that occur in Chambers County.
• Traffic - Offenses that occur in Chambers County. (Traffic citation given by a State Trooper, County Deputy, or Officers of LaFayette, Lanett, and Valley)
• Worthless Checks - All Checks received in Chambers County.

HOW TO OBTAIN A WARRANT:

We have several employees in the office (at the main courthouse and at the annex) who have been appointed as magistrates. Prior to obtaining a warrant, you will need to file an incident/offense report with the Chambers County Sheriff's Department, or if the offense occurred in a municipality, the report needs to be filed with the police department (LaFayette, Lanett, Valley). When you are filing your incident/offense report, you will need to tell the officer/deputy that you do wish to proceed with a warrant.  The officer/deputy will enter a warrant request in the warrant system.  After the warrant request has been entered in the warrant system, you will need to come to the Office of the Circuit Clerk (either at the main courthouse or at the annex).  When you come to the Clerk's office, a magistrate will meet with you.  You will be sworn in (placed under oath to tell the truth).  The magistrate will ask you questions that are necessary to determine if probable cause exists to issue the warrant.  If the magistrate finds that probable cause does exist, you will sign the complaint and the deposition and the warrant will be issued.  If the magistrate finds that no probable cause exists, the warrant will be denied.

There is no cost involved in this process. Please make careful consideration before you have someone arrested as we do not drop charges.  Once a warrant is issued, we cannot drop it if you then change your mind.  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 Chambers County Sheriff's Department or at the police department of LaFayette, Lanett, or Valley.