Choctaw County Court Docket

Court docket records in Choctaw County document all proceedings in civil, criminal, and domestic cases filed with the local courts. The Circuit Clerk in Butler maintains these records and makes them available for public inspection. Choctaw County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which also includes Clarke and Washington counties. This rural county in western Alabama borders Mississippi and has a relatively small population. The courthouse in Butler serves as the central location for court services. Records can also be searched online through the Alacourt ACCESS portal, which provides statewide coverage of Alabama court records.

Choctaw County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk office is the official repository for court records in Choctaw County. Staff members process new case filings, maintain the docket, and provide copies of court documents. The office also handles jury administration and appeals processing. Visitors can search records in person during regular business hours. The Circuit Clerk can provide guidance on locating specific cases and the procedures for obtaining certified copies.

How to Search Court Dockets

Choctaw County court records can be accessed through multiple channels. The method you choose depends on your specific needs and whether you prefer online or in-person research.

Online Search via Alacourt ACCESS

The Alacourt ACCESS system provides online access to court records from all Alabama counties. You can search by party name or case number. The system charges fees on a per-search basis, with costs displayed before you complete each transaction. Subscriptions are available for users who need frequent access. The database covers civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic cases.

In-Person Search

You can visit the Choctaw County Courthouse in Butler to search records without paying online search fees. The Circuit Clerk staff will assist you in locating cases. Bring any information you have about the case, such as party names, case numbers, or filing dates. You will need to pay copy fees if you want documents.

Written Request

Written requests can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk. Include as much detail as possible about the records you need. Provide full names of parties, the type of case, and any known dates. Prepayment for search and copy fees is typically required. Mail your request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Response times vary but generally take two to four weeks.

Fees for Court Records

Choctaw County assesses fees for copying and certifying court documents. These fees are set by state law and local court rules.

Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Call ahead to verify current payment options before visiting.

Types of Court Docket Records

Civil Case Dockets

Civil dockets record lawsuits between individuals, businesses, or organizations. In Choctaw County, common civil matters include property disputes, contract claims, personal injury cases, and debt collection actions. Circuit Court handles civil cases involving amounts greater than $10,000. District Court handles smaller civil matters and small claims under $3,000.

Criminal Case Dockets

Criminal dockets track cases where the State of Alabama prosecutes individuals for alleged crimes. Felony cases are handled in Circuit Court. These include drug offenses, property crimes, violent crimes, and other serious matters. District Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. Traffic citations are also recorded in the docket system.

Domestic Relations Dockets

Family law matters appear on the domestic relations docket. This includes divorce cases, child custody disputes, child support proceedings, visitation issues, and protection from abuse orders. All domestic relations cases in Choctaw County are heard in Circuit Court.

Probate Records

The Probate Court maintains separate records from the Circuit Court. Probate matters include wills, estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and adoption. The Probate Judge oversees these proceedings. Adoption records are generally sealed and not available for public review.

Choctaw County Court Records Portal

The screenshot below shows the Alacourt ACCESS interface for searching court records in Choctaw County.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 provides Alabama residents with the right to inspect and copy public records. This includes court records maintained by the Circuit Clerk. A 2024 amendment to the statute requires requesters to provide proof of Alabama residency. An Alabama driver license or voter registration card satisfies this requirement. The law is to be interpreted in favor of public access.

Privacy and Confidentiality Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality became effective January 1, 2025. These rules identify 96 categories of protected information. Confidential data includes Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, bank account numbers, medical records, names of minor victims, and addresses of domestic violence victims.

Sealed Records

Courts have authority to seal records when public disclosure would cause harm. Grounds for sealing include protection of trade secrets, national security concerns, scandal prevention, family privacy in domestic cases, and threats of harassment. Juvenile records are confidential by statute. Youthful offender records and adoption files are also typically sealed.

Expungement

Certain criminal records may be expunged under Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 and related sections. Eligible records include dismissed charges, acquittals, and some non-violent offenses after a waiting period. Expunged records are removed from public databases and search results.

1st Judicial Circuit

Choctaw County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit along with Clarke and Washington counties. Circuit judges serve all three counties and rotate between courthouses as the docket requires. This multi-county circuit arrangement is common in rural areas of Alabama where individual counties may not have enough cases to justify dedicated judges.

Despite the shared judicial circuit, each county maintains its own Circuit Clerk office and court records. Cases filed in Choctaw County stay with the Choctaw County Circuit Clerk throughout their duration, regardless of which judge handles the matter.

Additional Court Resources

Alabama Appellate Courts

Appeals from Choctaw County go to either the Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals based on the case type. The Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal provides free access to appellate court records. No account or payment is required.

Federal Courts

Federal matters involving Choctaw County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama in Mobile. Federal court records are available through PACER. Users must register and pay fees to access records.

Legal Aid

Legal Services Alabama offers free legal assistance to low-income residents. Call 1-866-456-4995 for intake. The Alabama State Bar maintains a lawyer referral service at 1-800-354-6154.

Search Choctaw County Court Dockets

Use the search tool below to find court docket records in Choctaw County.

Cities and Towns in Choctaw County

Court records for residents of these communities are maintained by the Choctaw County Circuit Clerk.

• Butler (county seat)
• Gilbertown
• Lisman
• Needham
• Pennington
• Silas
• Toxey

Choctaw County has no cities with populations over 100,000. For information about major Alabama cities, see Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, or Tuscaloosa.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Choctaw County. Each has its own Circuit Clerk and court docket system.