Find Criminal Court Records in Shelby County

The Shelby County Circuit Clerk keeps all felony criminal court records at the courthouse in Columbiana. Under Alabama Code § 12-11-30, Circuit Courts have sole control over felony cases. Misdemeanor cases are handled by District Court under § 12-12-32. Public access to criminal records is set by Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and the 2025 Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality. You can search records online through Alacourt. This system lets you look up case info from your home or office, though you need to pay for a subscription to use it.

Shelby County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Shelby County Circuit Clerk is the official record keeper for all felony criminal cases filed in the county. The office sits at the Shelby County Courthouse in Columbiana. Staff there keep original case files, docket sheets, judgments, and all documents filed in Circuit Court criminal cases. If you need to find an old case or get copies of court papers, this is where you go. The clerk's staff can help you track down what you need, though it helps if you know the case number or at least the defendant's full name and when the case was filed.

The office is closed on state holidays and weekends. Call first to check hours. Also ask if they have the records you need before you drive there.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Shelby 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 summaries. You can see charges, docket entries, dispositions, sentences, court dates, parties, and attorneys. Some case files have scanned document images too. To use this system, you need to create an account and buy a subscription through the Administrative Office of Courts. Call the AOC at (334) 954-5000 or 1-866-954-9411 for subscription details.

How to Request Copies of Court Records

You can get copies of criminal court records by going to the Circuit Clerk's office in person or sending a written request by mail. Give as much info as you can to help clerks find the file. The more details you provide, the faster they can locate what you need and process your 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

Bring a valid photo ID if you go in person. Clerk staff can help find files even if you don't know the case number. Some records may be restricted under Alabama privacy laws or sealed by court order per Alabama Code § 15-27-1 and § 15-27-2.

Mail Requests

Mail requests to the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Columbiana. Include a return address and phone number. The clerk will call you about fees and payment once they find the records. How long it takes depends on how complex your request is and how busy the office is.

Fees and Costs

Shelby County Circuit Clerk fees change based on what type of document you need and what service you want. Call the clerk's office through directory assistance to get the current fee schedule. Fees can change, so it's best to ask before you visit or send payment.

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's office may take cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit cards. Personal checks might not work for some things. Ask what payment methods they accept when you submit 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 Shelby 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 Columbiana. 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 says that every Alabama resident can inspect and copy any public record of this state, except where law says otherwise. This statute is the legal foundation for public access to criminal court records in Shelby County. It gives you the right to see these records as long as they aren't sealed or restricted by other laws.

Court Jurisdiction

Under Alabama Code § 12-11-30, Circuit Courts have sole control over all felony cases. This means serious crimes like murder, robbery, burglary, and drug trafficking are only tried in Circuit Court.

Privacy and Confidentiality

On January 1, 2025, new Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect statewide. These Rules cover all appellate, circuit, district, juvenile, municipal, and probate courts. The public can still see court records in most cases, but some info is marked as privileged or confidential. The Rules list 91 types 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

18th Judicial Circuit (also includes Jefferson County Bessemer Division)

Shelby County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges run felony criminal trials and hear appeals from District Court. The circuit may serve more than one county and moves judges around 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 Shelby County

Shelby County has several cities and towns spread throughout the area. All criminal cases get filed at the county courthouse in Columbiana no matter where in the county the alleged offense happened. Even if the arrest took place in a different city within Shelby County, the case still goes through the courthouse in Columbiana.

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

Nearby Counties

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

Search Shelby County Criminal Records

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