Alabama law currently allows private citizens the right to press charges under certain circumstances. The Decatur Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and ordinance violations committed within the city limits or police jurisdiction of the City of Decatur, AL. A citizen may request a Probable Cause Hearing before a Municipal Court Magistrate by completing the PC Hearing Request Form and emailing it to the Court at: court@decatur-al.gov or by visiting us in person at our Municipal Court Annex located at 300 Cain St. NE Decatur, AL 35601. In the event of an emergency, the Decatur Police Department may contact the Municipal Court office for immediate assistance in filing a complaint and obtaining a warrant.
- The alleged offense must have occurred within the city limits or police jurisdiction of Decatur, AL.
- The alleged perpetrator must be 18 years or older.
- The alleged offense must have occurred within the last 12 months.
- The alleged offense must not exceed a property value of $500 or a damage amount of $2,500.
- If the alleged offense involves damage to property, the citizen must present a valid damage estimate to the Magistrate.
- If probable cause is established and criminal charges are issued, the Magistrate will determine the mechanism of service (arrest warrant or summons).
- Magistrates cannot be coerced into issuing criminal charges or not issuing criminal charges.