Baldwin County Court Docket Search

Court docket records in Baldwin County hold the full log of all case actions from first filing to final outcome. The Circuit Clerk in Bay Minette keeps these records for the 28th Judicial Circuit. Baldwin County is the biggest county in Alabama by land size. It covers over 1,590 square miles along the Gulf Coast. The docket tracks civil fights, criminal cases, family law matters, and traffic tickets in Circuit Court and District Court. You can search online through Alacourt ACCESS or get records in person at the courthouse.

Baldwin County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records for Baldwin County's Circuit Court and District Court. This office takes in new filings and updates the docket as cases move along. Staff give the public access to case info. The clerk also runs jury work, takes in court costs and fines, and sends appeals to higher courts. Baldwin County is the only county in the 28th Judicial Circuit.

The Baldwin County Courthouse sits at Courthouse Square in downtown Bay Minette. Street parking and a public lot are close by. You must go through security when you enter. The clerk's office is on the ground floor. Staff can help with record searches, copy requests, and how to file.

Online Court Record Access

Baldwin County court records are on Alacourt ACCESS, the statewide online court database. You can search by name or case number. The system has civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. You pay a fee for each search. The cost shows up before you check out.

Steps to search Baldwin County records online:

1. Go to pa.alacourt.com
2. Select Baldwin County from the list of counties
3. Enter the party name or case number you wish to search
4. Pay the search fee and review the docket information

The online site shows docket sheets with case events in date order. To get the actual docs like complaints, motions, and court orders, you may need to ask the clerk's office. Some records are not online. These include sealed cases, juvenile cases, and some domestic violence matters where the victim could be at risk.

Copy and Search Fees

The Circuit Clerk charges fees for doc copies and record searches. State law and local court rules set these fees. You must pay when you ask for copies or search in person.

The clerk's office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards may or may not work. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Baldwin County Circuit Clerk. If the fees are more than what you sent, staff will call you for the rest before they fill the request.

Types of Court Records Available

Baldwin County's Circuit Clerk keeps docket records for all trial court cases. Each case type has its own rules for how to file and how long to keep records.

Civil Cases

Civil dockets hold lawsuits between parties over money, property, or other fights. Common civil cases include injury claims, contract fights, property disputes, foreclosures, and debt cases. Circuit Court handles civil cases over $10,000. District Court deals with smaller claims and small claims court under $3,000.

Criminal Cases

Criminal dockets track cases where the state charges people with crimes. Felonies like burglary, robbery, assault, and drug sales go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors like minor theft and simple assault go to District Court. The docket shows all court dates, pleas, trial events, and sentences.

Domestic Relations

Family law cases go to Circuit Court. These include divorce, child custody fights, child support cases, and protection orders. These cases often have many hearings over time. Each hearing and order goes in the docket.

Traffic Cases

Traffic tickets go through District Court and show up in the docket system. Cases range from speeding to more serious crimes like DUI. Traffic dockets show the ticket, court dates, pleas, and outcomes like fines.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Alabama law tries to give the public access to court records while also keeping some info private.

Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, Alabama residents can look at and copy public records like court records. A 2024 law change now asks you to prove you live in Alabama. A driver license, state ID, or voter card works. The law leans toward giving you access.

Court Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality keep some info from the public. These rules list 96 types of data that must be blacked out before you get the records. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical info, names of child victims, and home addresses in some cases.

Sealed Records

Courts may seal records when letting them out would cause harm. Reasons to seal include trade secrets, national security, stopping harassment or danger, and family privacy. Sealed records are not open to the public. You can ask the court to unseal them if things change.

Expungement

Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 lets you erase some criminal records. Dropped charges or cases where you won can usually be erased. Some misdemeanors can be erased after a wait period. A few non-violent felonies may also qualify. Once erased, the records come off public systems.

Visiting the Courthouse

The Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette is open during normal work hours. The building holds many county offices plus the courts.

Prepare for your visit by:

• Bringing a valid photo identification
• Knowing the names of parties, case number, or approximate dates for your search
• Allowing time for security screening at the entrance
• Having payment ready for any copy fees
• Leaving weapons, large bags, and prohibited items in your vehicle

Clerk staff can help find case files and tell you how to ask for records. They cannot give legal advice or help you fill out legal forms. If you need legal help, talk to a lawyer or call Legal Services Alabama for free aid if you qualify.

Submitting Written Requests

Baldwin County takes written requests for court records by mail. This lets you get records without going to the courthouse. It takes about two to four weeks to process, based on how hard the request is and how busy they are.

Your written request should include:

• Complete names of all parties in the case
• Case number if available
• Type of case being requested
• Date range if the case number is unknown
• Specific documents needed
• Your full name, mailing address, and telephone number
• Proof of Alabama residency
• Prepayment by check or money order

Send requests to: Baldwin County Circuit Clerk, 312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10, Bay Minette, AL 36507. The clerk's office will contact you if additional fees are needed. Any overpayment will be refunded.

Cities in Baldwin County

All court records for Baldwin County residents are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Bay Minette. Cities do not run their own court systems for civil and criminal cases. City courts may handle minor crimes and local law violations.

Baldwin County has Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, and more. The beach towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach get a lot more people in summer. All court filings for civil, criminal, and family law in Baldwin County go through the Circuit Clerk's office.

If you need court records from other Alabama counties, call the Circuit Clerk there. Cases are usually filed where the defendant lives or where the events took place.

Nearby Counties

Baldwin County sits in southwest Alabama along Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Nearby counties may have records if the people or events crossed county lines.

Legal Resources

Several organizations provide legal assistance and information to Baldwin County residents.

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income folks who qualify. The Alabama State Bar can link you with lawyers who work in Baldwin County. Court forms for common filings are on the Alabama Judicial System site.

Start Your Search

Use the search tool below to look up court docket records in Baldwin County.