Access Marshall County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records for Marshall County are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Guntersville. Felony cases fall under Circuit Court jurisdiction, while misdemeanors are prosecuted in District Court. Records can be accessed in person at the courthouse or online via the Alacourt system. Alabama law presumes public access to court records under § 36-12-40, subject to statutory and court-ordered restrictions. The Circuit Clerk's office processes requests during regular business hours.

Marshall County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Marshall County Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all felony criminal cases filed in the county. You can find the office at the Marshall County Courthouse in Guntersville. Staff there keep the original case files, docket sheets, and judgments on hand. All court papers filed in Circuit Court go through this office, so this is where the full record sits for any case that winds its way through the system. If you need to dig into court files, this is your stop.

The office is closed on state holidays and weekends. Call first. You can check the hours and ask if the records you want are there. This saves you a trip if the file is not on hand or if staff are out that day.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Marshall 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 shows case info. You can see charges, docket entries, dispositions, sentences, court dates, parties, and attorneys. Some files have scanned images. You need an account and a subscription. Call the AOC at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411 for subscription information.

How to Request Copies of Court Records

You can ask for copies in person or by mail. Walk in to the clerk's office, or send a letter. Give them as much info as you can. More details help the clerk find the file fast.

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 valid photo ID if you go in person. Staff can help you find files even if you do not have the case number. Note that some records are restricted under Alabama privacy laws or sealed by court order pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 and § 15-27-2. So not all files are open to view.

Mail Requests

Mail your request to the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Guntersville. Put your return address and phone number in the letter. The clerk will call you about fees and how to pay once they find the records. How long this takes depends on how complex your request is and how busy the office is at the time.

Fees and Costs

Fees vary by document type and service. Call directory assistance to get the clerk's office number, then ask for the current fee schedule. Costs can shift from year to year, so it pays to check what they charge now rather than rely on old information.

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)

The clerk may take cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit cards. Personal checks may not be accepted for some transactions. Ask what forms of payment they take when you put in 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 Marshall 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 Guntersville. 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 Marshall 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

36th Judicial Circuit

Marshall County is in the 36th Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges run felony trials and hear appeals from District Court. Sometimes the circuit covers more than one county, and judges rotate 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 Marshall County

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

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

Nearby Counties

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

Search Marshall County Criminal Records

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