Autauga County Criminal Court Records

Autauga County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the courthouse in Prattville. The Circuit Clerk has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions and serves as the official custodian of all criminal case files. District Court handles misdemeanor cases initially, with appeals directed to Circuit Court. The Alacourt ACCESS system provides online searching of criminal court records for subscribers. These records are public under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.

Autauga County Circuit Clerk's Office

The clerk here keeps all felony case files. Docket sheets, rulings, case docs. It all goes through this office in Prattville.

Call first. The clerk staff can tell you if they have what you need. Hours may shift on some days, or staff might be out at a trial. Show up at the right time with the info you need, and things go a lot smoother. If you're not sure what to ask for, the clerk can help. Having a case number or a date makes it all much less of a headache for you and them.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Autauga County criminal court records can be accessed through the Alacourt system at v2.alacourt.com. This statewide database is operated by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts and provides read-only access to trial court records from all 67 counties. Users can search by defendant name, case number, business name, or attorney name.

You can see charges, dates, who got what sentence. Even some docs if they scanned them in. It's not free though. You need a paid account. Call AOC at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411 to sign up.

County Website

The Autauga County website at autaugacounty.org provides basic information about the Circuit Clerk's office and court procedures. The county does not operate a dedicated online case search portal for public access. In-person or Alacourt searches are the primary methods for accessing criminal records.

How to Request Copies of Court Records

Interested parties can request copies of criminal court records by visiting the Circuit Clerk's office in person or submitting a written request by mail. Requests should include as much information as possible to help clerks locate the file.

Information to Include in Your Request

• Defendant's full name (as it appears in court records)
• Case number (if known)
• Approximate date of filing or conviction
• Type of charge (felony or misdemeanor)
• Specific documents needed

Bring your ID. Staff will help you find the file. Not all records are open. Some are sealed by a judge or hidden under state law like § 15-27-1 or § 15-27-2.

Mail Requests

Written requests can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk at 176 W 5th St, Prattville, AL 36067. Include a return address and contact phone number. The clerk will contact you regarding fees and payment methods once the records are located. Processing time varies based on request complexity and office workload.

Fees and Costs

Autauga County Circuit Clerk fees vary by document type and service requested. Contact the clerk's office at (334) 361-3731 for current fee schedules.

Typical Fee Categories

• Court record copies (per-page fees apply)
• Certified copies (certification fee added)
• Case file searches (may apply for extensive research)
• Mailing fees (if records must be sent by mail)

They take cash, money orders, or cards in most cases. Check first if you plan to use a check. Not all clerk offices take those.

Criminal Background Checks

Official Alabama criminal background checks are available through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Records Identification Unit, not through county Circuit Clerks. ALEA charges $25 for standard background checks. Visit www.alea.gov or call 1-866-740-4762 for background check information.

District Court Records

The Autauga County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Under Alabama Code § 12-12-32, district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over prosecutions of all offenses defined by law as misdemeanors. Common misdemeanor charges include DUI, third-degree assault, theft under $500, and public intoxication.

District Court records are maintained separately from Circuit Court files. The District Court Clerk's office is located at the courthouse complex in Prattville. Misdemeanor case records can be accessed through the District Court Clerk or through Alacourt. Appeals from District Court misdemeanor convictions are filed in Circuit Court.

Legal Framework and Statutes

Public Records Access

Alabama Code § 36-12-40 establishes that every Alabama resident has the right to inspect and take a copy of any public record of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by law. This statute creates the legal foundation for public access to criminal court records in Autauga County.

Court Jurisdiction

Under Alabama Code § 12-11-30, Circuit Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions. This means serious crimes like murder, robbery, burglary, and drug trafficking are prosecuted exclusively in Circuit Court.

Privacy and Confidentiality

On January 1, 2025, new Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect statewide. These Rules apply to all appellate, circuit, district, juvenile, municipal, and probate courts. While the public has a general right to inspect court records, certain information is designated as privileged or confidential. The Rules outline 91 categories of protected information.

Expungement Provisions

Alabama Code § 15-27-1 permits expungement of misdemeanor records when charges are dismissed with prejudice, no billed by a grand jury, the person is found not guilty, or charges are nolle prossed without being refiled. Persons convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors may qualify for expungement if all probation requirements are completed, all fines paid in full, and three years have elapsed since conviction. Alabama Code § 15-27-2 governs felony expungement.

Local Legal Resources

19th Judicial Circuit

Autauga County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Chilton County. Circuit judges preside over felony criminal trials and hear appeals from District Court. The circuit rotates judges between counties as needed.

Legal Aid

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid for qualifying low-income families at legalservicesalabama.org. Criminal defense cases are not covered by Legal Services Alabama. The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660.

Public Defender

Defendants facing felony charges who cannot afford an attorney may qualify for court-appointed representation. The court determines indigency status and assigns counsel pursuant to Alabama's indigent defense standards.

Cities and Towns in Autauga County

Autauga County includes several cities and towns. Criminal cases are filed at the county courthouse in Prattville regardless of where in the county the alleged offense occurred.

• Prattville (county seat)
• Millbrook
• Autaugaville
• Billingsley

None of these cities meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Autauga County is bordered by several other Alabama counties. Each county maintains its own criminal court records through its Circuit Court Clerk.

Search Autauga County Criminal Records

Use the search tool below to access criminal court record information.