Search Clay County Criminal Court Records

Clay County felony files all go through the Circuit Clerk in Ashland. This office keeps track of every step. From the first court date to the final appeal. Trials, plea deals, all of it. District Court runs misdemeanor cases. You can search Alacourt online to look up case info. It covers all 67 counties in Alabama. Need paper copies? Go in person or mail a request. The state's open records law says most court files are public, but not all.

Clay County Circuit Clerk's Office

All felony case files sit with the Circuit Clerk in Ashland. They hold the real files. Not copies. Dockets, court orders, every piece of paper.

Closed on weekends and holidays. Call first.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Clay 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 find case summaries with charges and court dates. See how each case ended. Some files have scanned images too. To log in, buy a subscription through the AOC. Call them at (334) 954-5000.

How to Request Copies of Court Records

Ask for copies in person or send a mail request. Give them all the details you have.

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. No case number? Staff will help you find it. Note that some records stay sealed under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 and § 15-27-2.

Mail Requests

Written requests can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Ashland. 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

Clay 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)

Payment methods accepted by the clerk's office may include cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit cards. Personal checks may not be accepted for some transactions. Confirm acceptable payment methods when submitting your request.

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 Clay 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 Ashland. 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 Clay 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

39th Judicial Circuit (Clay and Randolph Counties)

Clay County is part of the 39th Judicial Circuit (Clay and Randolph Counties). 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 Clay County

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

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

Nearby Counties

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

Search Clay County Criminal Records

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