Franklin County Bench Warrants

Bench warrants in Franklin County come from the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court in Apalachicola. This small Gulf Coast county has about 12,979 residents, making it one of the least populated counties in Florida. The clerk of court and sheriff's office in Apalachicola and Eastpoint handle all bench warrant records for the area. This page covers how to search for Franklin County bench warrants, what local offices manage the process, and what steps to take if you find one tied to your name.

Franklin County Clerk of Court

The Franklin County Clerk of Court is at 33 Market St., Suite 203, in Apalachicola. The phone number is (850) 653-8861. This office keeps all case files from the 2nd Judicial Circuit, including bench warrant orders. You can call or visit in person to ask about a case. The clerk searches by name or case number. Court records in Franklin County are public under the Sunshine Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can request to see bench warrant records.

Franklin County is one of the smallest court systems in Florida. The clerk's office handles a limited number of cases compared to larger counties like Duval or Broward. This can mean faster turnaround when you request records. But it also means the office may have fewer staff and limited hours. Call ahead to confirm hours before you drive to Apalachicola.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association connects all 67 county clerk offices in the state, including Franklin County.

This statewide association links clerk systems and can help you find the right office for your records search.

Franklin County Sheriff Warrants

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is at 270 Hwy 98 in Eastpoint. Call (850) 670-8500 for questions about warrants or other law enforcement matters. The sheriff serves all bench warrants issued by 2nd Judicial Circuit judges in Franklin County. Under Florida Statute § 901.04, any sheriff in Florida can serve a bench warrant. So a Franklin County bench warrant has reach across the entire state.

Active bench warrants get entered into state and national law enforcement databases. The FDLE statewide system picks up warrant data from Franklin County. When an officer anywhere in Florida runs your name during a traffic stop or other encounter, a Franklin County bench warrant will show up. The sheriff can also make arrests at any hour on any day. There is no safe time when a bench warrant cannot be served.

In a county with under 13,000 people, law enforcement often has a good idea of who has active warrants. The small population makes it harder to avoid detection. This is another reason to deal with a Franklin County bench warrant sooner rather than later.

Note: Franklin County is in the 2nd Judicial Circuit along with Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla counties.

How Franklin County Bench Warrants Work

A bench warrant in Franklin County starts with a judge. The most common cause is failure to appear at a court hearing. Under Florida Statute § 88.3051, the court can issue a bench warrant, capias, or writ of bodily attachment when someone does not show up after receiving proper notice. It applies to criminal, traffic, and civil cases alike.

Under Florida Statute § 901.02, probable cause is required for the warrant. For bench warrants, the failure to appear is sufficient. The judge signs the order, and it becomes active right away. Electronic signatures have been valid since July 2013 in Florida. A Franklin County bench warrant does not expire. It stays active until the person is arrested, the judge recalls it, or the person dies. Under Florida Statute § 933.05, search warrants expire after 10 days, but bench warrants have no time limit at all.

Search Franklin County Bench Warrants

The FDLE database at fdle.state.fl.us is a free statewide tool that covers all 67 Florida counties, including Franklin. Search by first name, last name, or date of birth. The database updates every 24 hours. Not all warrants appear right away, though. Some agencies hold pocket warrants before entering them into the system.

FDLE data is for reference only. Always confirm with the Franklin County Clerk or Sheriff before taking action based on search results.

For the most accurate and current information on Franklin County bench warrants, call the clerk at (850) 653-8861 or the sheriff at (850) 670-8500. You can also visit either office in person. In a small county like Franklin, phone calls are often the quickest way to get answers. A criminal defense attorney can also search on your behalf if you want privacy during the process.

Franklin County Warrant Penalties

Under Florida Statute § 843.15, failure to appear in court is a crime on its own. It is a third-degree felony if you missed court on a felony case. It is a first-degree misdemeanor if you missed a misdemeanor hearing. These charges stack on top of the original case in Franklin County. One missed court date can turn into two separate legal problems.

A bench warrant means arrest can come at any time. At home, at the store, on the road. In a small county, your chances of running into law enforcement who know about the warrant go up. Dealing with a Franklin County bench warrant quickly reduces the risk and can lead to a better result in court.

Resolving a Franklin County Bench Warrant

Talk to a criminal defense attorney first. A lawyer can check for the warrant, explain your situation, and set up a voluntary surrender at the courthouse in Apalachicola. Judges in Franklin County generally treat voluntary appearances better than forced arrests. Your lawyer may also be able to file a motion to quash the bench warrant if you had a good reason for missing court, such as a medical emergency or notice problems.

Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730, the clerk or state attorney can prepare a direct capias to bring the defendant before the court for sentencing or adjudication. Working with an attorney through this process in Franklin County gives you the best chance of a favorable result. If the bench warrant is quashed, you get a new court date and the warrant is canceled.

Watch for scam calls. No one from the Franklin County Sheriff or the court will demand money over the phone to clear a bench warrant. They will never ask for gift cards or wire transfers. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the sheriff's office at (850) 670-8500 to verify.

The Florida Statutes page governing bench warrants is shown below for reference.

These laws apply to all bench warrants issued in Franklin County and give sheriffs statewide authority to serve them at any time.

Note: Franklin County bench warrant records are open to the public under the Florida Sunshine Law.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County includes Apalachicola, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, and St. George Island. All bench warrants for residents in these communities go through the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court. There are no cities in Franklin County that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All residents can use the county clerk and sheriff resources listed above to search for active bench warrants.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County along the Gulf Coast and in the Florida Panhandle. Confirm which county your case was filed in before searching for bench warrants.