Find Criminal Court Records in Lauderdale County

All the big crime files in Lauderdale County live at the Florence courthouse. The Circuit Court Clerk keeps them. This office holds every step of a case - when you first show up in court, your trial, plea talks, sentencing, and any appeals after that. The small stuff goes to District Court first. You can look up cases on Alacourt if you get online. That's the state system. Want a copy? Show up in person or mail in your ask. Alabama law says you can do that.

Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk's Office

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

The office shuts down on state days off. No work on weekends. Call first before you go. Make sure the hours are still the same. Ask if they have your file ready. Could save you a wasted trip if they tell you it's not there or they're closed that day.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Lauderdale 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 can see the charges on Alacourt. Also the docket stuff and how it all ended. What sentence they got. When court was. Who was there and which lawyers came. Some files have PDF scans you can view. But first you need an account and you have to pay. The main court office runs it. Call them at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411 to get set up with a login.

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 Florence. 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

Lauderdale 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)

Cash works at the clerk's desk most days. Money orders are good too. Certified checks and credit cards might be okay. Your own check could be a no-go for some things though. Ask when you hand in your form what they will take. Better to know up front than get turned away.

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 Lauderdale 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 Florence. 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 Lauderdale 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

26th Judicial Circuit

Lauderdale County is part of the 26th Judicial Circuit. 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 Lauderdale County

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

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

Nearby Counties

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

Search Lauderdale County Criminal Records

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