Access Brookhaven Bench Warrants
Brookhaven bench warrants go through the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Brookhaven sits inside DeKalb County in the northeast part of metro Atlanta with close to 59,400 residents. When a judge issues a bench warrant for a missed court date tied to a Brookhaven case, the DeKalb County Sheriff takes over from there. The Brookhaven Police Department handles local law enforcement, but bench warrant tracking and service fall to the county level. DeKalb County has an online warrant search tool, which is rare in Georgia. Brookhaven residents can check for active warrants without driving to the sheriff's office.
Brookhaven Quick Facts
DeKalb County Sheriff and Brookhaven Warrants
Sheriff Melody Maddox runs the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Her team processes all bench warrants for Brookhaven and the rest of DeKalb County. The Warrant Unit phone number is 404-298-8200. Each bench warrant gets logged into the county system, then entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center and the NCIC database. Once in those systems, an active Brookhaven bench warrant is visible to law enforcement anywhere in the country during a routine check.
The sheriff's main office is at 4415 Memorial Drive in Decatur. You can call 404-298-8100 for general questions. Staff typically will not share specifics about a bench warrant over the phone. For a formal check, you would go in person with a photo ID. But DeKalb County stands out because it also offers an online option, which most Georgia counties do not have.
| Sheriff | Melody Maddox |
|---|---|
| Warrant Unit | Phone: 404-298-8200 |
| Sheriff Office | 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 Phone: 404-298-8100 |
| Brookhaven Police | 2660 Buford Highway NE Brookhaven, GA 30324 Phone: 404-637-0600 |
Note: All Brookhaven bench warrants are county matters handled by the DeKalb County Sheriff, not the city police department.
Brookhaven Police Department
The Brookhaven Police Department is at 2660 Buford Highway NE. Officers handle local patrol, traffic enforcement, and crime response within city limits. During any police encounter, an officer can run your name through the system. If a bench warrant shows up, the officer can arrest you right then and there. This is a common way that Brookhaven bench warrants get served.
The police department does not manage a warrant inquiry desk for the public. If you call Brookhaven PD at 404-637-0600 and ask about a bench warrant, they will refer you to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. The two agencies work closely, but the sheriff is the official custodian of all warrants in the county. Brookhaven PD focuses on active crime and local patrol, not warrant status checks for walk-in requests.
The Brookhaven Police Department website has contact info and details about local law enforcement services in the city.
How to Search Brookhaven Bench Warrants
Use the DeKalb County online warrant search tool. This is the easiest way to check for active bench warrants tied to a Brookhaven case. Enter the person's name on the search page. If a warrant exists, the results will show the charge, the case number, and which court issued it. The tool covers bench warrants from Superior Court, Magistrate Court, and State Court in DeKalb County.
If you prefer an in-person visit, go to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at 4415 Memorial Drive in Decatur. Bring a government photo ID. Staff at the Warrant Unit will look up your name and share details about any active bench warrants. The office is roughly 10 miles from Brookhaven. Be aware that if a bench warrant is found, law enforcement may take you into custody at the time of the inquiry.
The Georgia.gov warrant search guide walks through the statewide process. It covers what to bring and how things work at any Georgia sheriff's office. Many Brookhaven residents choose to hire a lawyer first. An attorney can check for warrants, file a motion to recall the bench warrant, and handle the court date for you. This avoids the risk of arrest during the inquiry.
Note: The DeKalb online warrant search is free and available to anyone with internet access.
Penalties for Brookhaven Bench Warrants
A bench warrant from a Brookhaven case means new charges on top of the original case. Under O.C.G.A. 16-10-51, bail jumping on a misdemeanor carries up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Felony bail jumping can mean one to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. The bench warrant counts as its own separate offense under Georgia law.
Traffic cases follow different rules. Under O.C.G.A. 40-13-63, missing a traffic court date can lead to a $200 fine and up to three days in jail. The court can also ask the Georgia Department of Driver Services to suspend your driver's license under O.C.G.A. 40-5-56. Reinstatement costs $100 in person at a DDS office or $125 by mail. That fee is on top of whatever fines you owe from the Brookhaven case itself.
Georgia law includes a 30-day notice period before some bench warrants go active. Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-11, the clerk sends a letter and waits 30 days for traffic cases. If you take care of the case within that window, the warrant may never be issued. After the deadline passes, the Brookhaven bench warrant enters the system and has no expiration date. It stays active until you deal with it.
Brookhaven Legal Resources
Georgia's Open Records Act under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 lets you request court records from government offices. Bench warrant files from Brookhaven cases are part of the DeKalb County court system and are public records. You can contact the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court for case details. Requests can be submitted in person or in writing.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal database where all Brookhaven bench warrants end up after the sheriff enters them. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association lists the DeKalb County Sheriff with full contact info. Both are good starting points if you need help finding the right office for a bench warrant matter in Brookhaven.
DeKalb County Bench Warrants
Brookhaven is part of DeKalb County. All bench warrants from DeKalb County courts are processed by the sheriff's office in Decatur. For the full county warrant process, online search tool, and additional resources, visit the DeKalb County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Brookhaven and each has its own page with local bench warrant contacts.