Access Jefferson County Criminal Court Records

The Circuit Court Clerk in Birmingham keeps Jefferson County criminal court records. Alabama's most populous county has 674,721 residents. Jefferson County processes a high volume of criminal cases. The county uses multiple courtroom divisions. The Circuit Clerk has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions. The clerk is the official record keeper for all criminal case files. These are filed in Circuit Court. District Court handles misdemeanor cases first. The Alacourt ACCESS system lets subscribers search online. These records are public under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. Some information may be restricted under privacy rules that took effect January 1, 2025. Jefferson County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. It runs both a Birmingham Division and a Bessemer Division. This helps handle the large case load from the county's urban and suburban areas.

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk keeps all felony criminal case records. The office runs two divisions. This is due to the county's large population and geographic size. The main Birmingham Division sits at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North in downtown Birmingham. A second division runs in Bessemer. It serves the western part of the county. Both locations keep original case files. They have docket sheets, judgments, and all documents filed in Circuit Court criminal cases.

The Circuit Clerk's office is closed on state holidays and weekends. Given the high volume of criminal cases filed in Jefferson County, interested parties should call ahead to confirm hours and to inquire about specific record availability before visiting in person. The Bessemer Division handles cases filed in the western division of the 10th Judicial Circuit, while the Birmingham Division manages the majority of felony prosecutions in the county.

Heavy Case Volume

Jefferson County is the most populous county in Alabama. The Circuit Clerk's office processes thousands of criminal cases annually, ranging from drug offenses and property crimes to violent felonies like robbery, assault, and murder. Multiple courtrooms operate simultaneously to handle the caseload. Clerks assist the public with locating files and providing copies, but due to high demand, services may require patience or appointments during peak times.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Jefferson 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.

Alacourt displays case summaries showing charges, docket entries, dispositions, sentences, court dates, parties, and attorneys. Some case files include scanned document images. Access requires creating an account and purchasing a subscription through the Administrative Office of Courts. Contact the AOC at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411 for subscription information.

Jefferson County Website

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk maintains a dedicated website at jefferson.alacourt.gov that provides information about court services, office locations, and public access procedures. While some basic case information may be available through the county's own portal, comprehensive criminal case searching typically requires use of the statewide Alacourt system. The county website lists contact information, hours, fee schedules, and forms that may be needed when requesting records or filing documents.

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. Due to the large number of cases processed each year in Jefferson County, providing a case number will significantly expedite the request.

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
• Whether the case was filed in Birmingham or Bessemer Division

In-person requests require valid photo identification. The clerk's office staff can assist with locating files if case numbers are not known, though this may take additional time given the volume of records maintained. 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 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420, Birmingham, AL 35203. 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. During busy periods, mail requests may take several weeks to process.

Fees and Costs

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk fees are established by state law and local court rules. Fees apply to copying, certification, and other record services.

Standard Fees

• Court record copies: $0.50 per page
• Certification fee: $5.00
• 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 include cash, money orders, certified checks, and credit cards. Personal checks may not be accepted for some transactions. Confirm acceptable payment methods when submitting your request. Fees are subject to change, and the clerk's office should be contacted directly at (205) 325-5355 for current fee information.

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 Jefferson 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, domestic violence, disorderly conduct, 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 Birmingham, with additional courtrooms operating in Bessemer. 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. Given the population of Jefferson County, the District Court docket is substantial and includes thousands of misdemeanor cases each year.

Birmingham and Bessemer Divisions

Both the Circuit Court and District Court operate divisions in Birmingham and Bessemer to better serve the county's population. The Bessemer Division handles cases arising in the western portion of Jefferson County. Defendants and attorneys should verify which division has jurisdiction over a particular case, as filing location affects where records are maintained and where court appearances must be made.

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 Jefferson County. The law permits citizens to review court filings, judgments, and other documents unless a specific exemption applies.

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, rape, and drug trafficking are prosecuted exclusively in Circuit Court. Jefferson County Circuit Court handles all felony cases filed in the county, regardless of where the alleged offense occurred within county boundaries.

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, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth (except year), and specific information about minors and victims.

Court clerks are required to redact protected information from publicly accessible records. Parties filing documents must also ensure compliance with privacy rules. Some criminal records involving juveniles, sexual offenses, or other sensitive matters may have additional access restrictions. The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's office follows these Rules when responding to public record requests.

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, though the eligibility requirements are more restrictive.

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. Given the volume of criminal cases in Jefferson County, expungement petitions are common, and the court has established procedures for processing these requests.

Local Legal Resources

10th Judicial Circuit

Jefferson County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges preside over felony criminal trials and hear appeals from District Court. The 10th Circuit includes multiple judges who handle various criminal dockets. Cases are assigned to different judges based on division (Birmingham or Bessemer) and case type. The circuit operates one of the busiest criminal court systems in Alabama due to the county's large population and urban environment.

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. Birmingham is home to numerous criminal defense attorneys who practice in Jefferson County courts.

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. Jefferson County has a substantial public defender system to meet the demand for court-appointed counsel. Defendants should request appointed counsel at their initial appearance or arraignment.

District Attorney's Office

The Jefferson County District Attorney's office prosecutes criminal cases in the 10th Judicial Circuit. The DA's office handles both felony prosecutions in Circuit Court and misdemeanor prosecutions in District Court. Due to the volume of cases, the office employs numerous assistant district attorneys who specialize in different types of crimes. The District Attorney's office is located in Birmingham and maintains records related to criminal prosecutions.

Cities and Towns in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes several cities and towns. Criminal cases are filed at the county courthouse in Birmingham or Bessemer depending on where in the county the alleged offense occurred. Birmingham is the county seat and the largest qualifying city.

Major cities include:

• Birmingham (county seat and state's largest city)

The county contains more than 35 incorporated municipalities, but Birmingham is the only city that meets the population threshold for inclusion on this site. Most criminal cases arising in the county are prosecuted through the Birmingham Division, though the Bessemer Division handles matters in the western portion of Jefferson County.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Jefferson County Criminal Records

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