Chilton County Criminal Court Records

All Chilton County felony records get filed at the Clanton courthouse. The Circuit Clerk keeps these records. This office runs all Circuit Court work. From the first court date to the last appeal. Trials, plea deals, and sentencing all go through here. Misdemeanors start in District Court. You can look up case info online through Alacourt, which is the state database for all 67 counties. Want paper copies? You can ask in person or send a mail request. Alabama's open records law says most court files are public, though some details stay sealed.

Chilton County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Circuit Clerk keeps all felony case files for Chilton County. You'll find this office at the courthouse in Clanton. They store the real case files. Not just copies. Docket sheets, court orders, and all the papers that get filed in a criminal case live here.

The office shuts down on weekends and state holidays. Call first. Hours can change, and you want to make sure the file you need is there before you drive over.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Chilton 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'll see case summaries with charges, court dates, and how each case ended. Some files have scanned docs you can view. To get in, you need an account and a paid subscription. Call the AOC at (334) 954-5000 or toll-free at 1-866-954-9411 to set that up.

How to Request Copies of Court Records

You can ask for copies in person or by mail. The more info you give, the faster they can find your 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 photo ID if you go in person. Don't have a case number? The staff can help you look it up. Keep in mind that some records are sealed by court order or blocked under state privacy laws per Alabama Code § 15-27-1 and § 15-27-2. You won't get those.

Mail Requests

Mail requests go to the Circuit Clerk in Clanton. Put your return address and phone number on it. They'll call you about fees once they find what you need. Wait times depend on how busy they are and how hard your request is to fill.

Fees and Costs

Chilton County Circuit Clerk fees vary by document type and service requested. Contact the clerk's office at directory assistance 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)

Most clerk offices take cash, money orders, or credit cards. Personal checks? Not always. Ask first.

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 Chilton 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 Clanton. 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 Chilton 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.

Expungement Filing Fees

Under Alabama Code § 15-27-4, an administrative filing fee of $500 must be paid when filing an expungement petition. This fee is distributed to various state agencies including the State Judicial Administrative Fund, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the district attorney's office. The court may waive fees if it finds the arrest had no foundation of probable cause.

Local Legal Resources

19th Judicial Circuit (also includes Autauga County)

Chilton County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit (also includes Autauga County). Circuit judges preside over felony criminal trials and hear appeals from District Court. The circuit may serve multiple counties and rotates judges 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 Chilton County

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

The county seat is Clanton. No cities in Chilton County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Chilton County Criminal Records

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