Henry County Criminal Court Records Search

Criminal court records for Henry County are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Abbeville. Felonies go through Circuit Court. District Court handles misdemeanors. You can look up records in person at the courthouse or use Alacourt online. State law says court files are public (§ 36-12-40), but some are kept private. The clerk's office is open on weekdays.

Henry County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Henry County Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all felony criminal cases filed in the county. This office is at the courthouse in Abbeville. They have the original case files, docket sheets, judgments. Every paper that gets filed in a Circuit Court criminal case is there. If a felony went through here, they have it on record. Files go back years, stored on paper and in digital form.

The office shuts down on state holidays and weekends. Call first. Some old files take time to pull.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Henry County criminal court records can be accessed through the Alacourt system at v2.alacourt.com. The state runs this database. It covers all 67 counties. You can only read records, not edit them. Search by defendant name, case number, business name, or attorney name.

Alacourt shows case summaries with the charges, docket entries, how the case ended, sentences, and who the lawyers were. Some files have scanned documents. You need a paid account. Call the AOC at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411.

How to Request Copies of Court Records

You can get copies by going to the clerk's office or mailing a request. Give them all the info you can.

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 a photo ID if you go in person. Staff can help find files even without case numbers. Some records are sealed by law (see Alabama Code § 15-27-1 and § 15-27-2).

Mail Requests

Mail your request to the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Abbeville. Put your return address and phone number on it. They'll call about fees once they find the records. Wait time depends on how busy they are.

Fees and Costs

Fees depend on what you need. Call for prices.

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 offices take cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit cards. Personal checks might not work. Ask first.

Criminal Background Checks

For full background checks, go to ALEA, not the county clerk. They run the Criminal Records Identification Unit. Cost is $25. Visit www.alea.gov or call 1-866-740-4762.

District Court Records

The Henry County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and preliminary hearings in felony cases. State law gives them control over misdemeanors (Alabama Code § 12-12-32). DUIs, third-degree assault, small thefts, public intoxication. All that goes through District Court. Felonies start there for the preliminary hearing, then move up to Circuit Court.

District Court keeps separate files from Circuit Court. The District Court Clerk's office is at the courthouse in Abbeville. You can get misdemeanor records there or search Alacourt. Appeals go to Circuit Court.

Legal Framework and Statutes

Public Records Access

Alabama Code § 36-12-40 says every Alabama resident can look at and copy public records, unless some other law blocks it. This law gives you the right to see criminal court records in Henry County.

Court Jurisdiction

Under Alabama Code § 12-11-30, Circuit Courts handle all felony prosecutions. Serious crimes get tried there. Murder, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking. That's Circuit Court.

Privacy and Confidentiality

New privacy rules took effect January 1, 2025. They cover all courts in Alabama. The public can still look at court records, but some information is protected. The rules list 91 types of confidential data.

Expungement Provisions

Alabama Code § 15-27-1 lets people expunge misdemeanor records under certain conditions. If charges get dismissed with prejudice, if a grand jury no-bills it, if you're found not guilty, or if charges are dropped, you can apply. Even with a conviction for a nonviolent misdemeanor, you might qualify after three years if you finished probation and paid all fines. Alabama Code § 15-27-2 covers felony expungement.

Expungement Filing Fees

Filing for expungement costs $500 (Alabama Code § 15-27-4). That money gets split among state agencies. The court can waive it if the arrest had no probable cause.

Local Legal Resources

20th Judicial Circuit (also includes Covington, Dale, and Geneva Counties)

Henry County is in the 20th Judicial Circuit with Covington, Dale, and Geneva Counties. Circuit judges try felony cases and hear District Court appeals. Judges sometimes rotate between counties.

Legal Aid

Legal Services Alabama helps low-income families with civil legal issues. Check legalservicesalabama.org. They don't handle criminal defense. For a lawyer referral, call the Alabama State Bar at 1-800-392-5660.

Public Defender

If you're charged with a felony and can't pay for a lawyer, you might get one appointed. The court decides if you qualify.

Cities and Towns in Henry County

Henry County has several cities and towns. All criminal cases get filed at the courthouse in Abbeville no matter where the crime happened. That's the county seat. None of the cities here are big enough for their own pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border Henry County. Each keeps its own court records through its Circuit Court Clerk.

Search Henry County Criminal Records

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