Access Winston County Criminal Court Records

All Winston County criminal felony records are filed with and kept by the Circuit Court Clerk at the Double Springs courthouse. The office acts as the official record keeper for Circuit Court proceedings. This includes arraignments, trials, plea hearings, sentencings, and appeals. District Court handles initial misdemeanor cases. You can access criminal case info online through Alacourt, the statewide court database. Public records requests can be submitted in person or by mail under Alabama's open records law.

Winston County Circuit Clerk's Office

The Winston County Circuit Clerk is the official record keeper for all felony criminal cases filed in the county. The office sits at the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs. Staff keep original case files, docket sheets, judgments, and all documents filed in Circuit Court criminal cases.

The Circuit Clerk's office is closed on state holidays and weekends. Interested parties should call ahead to confirm hours and to inquire about specific record availability before visiting in person.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt ACCESS V2.0

Winston 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.

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

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 off limits 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 Double Springs. 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

Winston 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)

Payment methods accepted by the clerk's office may include cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit cards. Personal checks may not be accepted for some transactions. Confirm acceptable payment methods when submitting 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 Winston 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 Double Springs. 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 Winston 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

25th Judicial Circuit (also includes Marion and Walker Counties)

Winston County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit (also includes Marion and Walker Counties). 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 Winston County

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

The county seat is Double Springs. No cities in Winston County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Winston County Criminal Records

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