Access Blount County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records for Blount County are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the courthouse in Oneonta. The Circuit Clerk has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions and serves as the official custodian of all criminal case files in the 1st Judicial Circuit. District Court handles misdemeanor cases initially. 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 to the Circuit Clerk.

Blount County Circuit Clerk's Office

Oneonta is where they keep all the felony case files. Docket sheets, rulings, docs. All in the clerk's office.

Call first. The clerk can tell you if they have what you need. Hours can shift, staff might be tied up in court, and you don't want to drive to Oneonta for nothing. A five-minute call saves you hours of wasted time. They'll tell you what to bring and when to come in so you can get in and out fast.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Blount 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.

Charges, dates, outcomes, names. It's all in there. Some have scans. You need to pay for access. Call AOC at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411.

County Website

The Blount County website at blountcountyal.gov provides 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 ID. Staff will help find your file. Some records are sealed or blocked by state law.

Mail Requests

Written requests can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk at 220 2nd Ave East, Oneonta, AL 35121. Include a return address and contact phone number. The clerk will contact you regarding fees and payment methods once the records are located.

Fees and Costs

Blount County Circuit Clerk fees are established by statute and local policy. Contact the clerk's office at (205) 625-4160 for current fee schedules.

Standard Fees

• Copy fees: $0.50 per page
• Certification: $5.00 per document
• Additional fees may apply for extensive searches
• Mailing fees added if records must be sent by mail

Cash works. So do money orders and cards in most cases. Ask if they take personal checks.

Criminal Background Checks

Official Alabama criminal background checks are available through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Records Identification Unit. ALEA charges $25 for standard background checks. Visit www.alea.gov or call 1-866-740-4762.

District Court Records

The Blount 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.

District Court records are maintained separately from Circuit Court files. The District Court Clerk's office is located in Oneonta. 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 Blount County.

Court Jurisdiction

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

Privacy and Confidentiality

The 2025 Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect on January 1, 2025. While the public has a general right to inspect court records, certain information is designated as privileged or confidential.

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. Alabama Code § 15-27-2 governs felony expungement.

Local Legal Resources

1st Judicial Circuit

Blount County comprises the entire 1st Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges preside over felony criminal trials and hear appeals from District Court.

Legal Aid

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

Cities and Towns in Blount County

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

• Oneonta (county seat)
• Cleveland
• Snead
• Locust Fork

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

Nearby Counties

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

Search Blount County Criminal Records

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