Dekalb County Criminal Court Records

The Dekalb County Circuit Clerk maintains all felony criminal court records at the courthouse in Fort Payne. Under Alabama Code § 12-11-30, Circuit Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over felony prosecutions. Misdemeanor cases are handled by District Court under § 12-12-32. Public access to criminal records is governed by Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and the 2025 Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality. Online searching is available through Alacourt.

Dekalb County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Dekalb County Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all felony criminal cases filed in the county. The office is located at the Dekalb County Courthouse in Fort Payne and maintains original case files, docket sheets, judgments, and all documents filed in Circuit Court criminal proceedings.

The office is shut on state days off and weekends. Call ahead to check hours. Make sure the files you want are ready to view or if they need time to dig them out.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Dekalb 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.

Case facts come up on the screen. You'll see charges and court dates. Some files have scanned docs too. You need to buy access from the state. Call (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411 to sign up.

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

In-person requests require valid photo identification. The clerk's office staff can assist with locating files if case numbers are not known. Some records may be restricted under Alabama privacy laws or sealed by court order pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 and § 15-27-2.

Mail Requests

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

Dekalb 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)

They take cash, cards, or money orders most of the time. Personal checks might not work. Ask them first what forms of payment they'll accept.

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 Dekalb 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 Fort Payne. 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 Dekalb 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

9th Judicial Circuit (also includes Cherokee County)

Dekalb County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit (also includes Cherokee 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 Dekalb County

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

The county seat is Fort Payne. No cities in Dekalb County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Dekalb County Criminal Records

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