Coffee County Court Docket

Court docket records in Coffee County document all case proceedings filed in the local courts. The Circuit Clerk maintains these records and makes them available for public review. Coffee County is unique in Alabama for having two county seats: Elba in the southern part of the county and Enterprise in the north. The county is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Pike County. Located in southeastern Alabama, Coffee County has a population of approximately 53,000. The statewide Alacourt ACCESS system provides online access to court records from Coffee County and all other Alabama counties.

Coffee County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records in Coffee County. This office processes case filings, maintains docket information, and provides copies of documents to the public. Staff can assist with locating records and explain procedures for obtaining copies. Because Coffee County has two county seats, some services may be available at both locations.

How to Search Court Dockets

Coffee County court records can be accessed through several channels depending on your needs and preferences.

Online Search via Alacourt ACCESS

The Alacourt ACCESS portal provides statewide access to Alabama court records. Search by party name or case number. Fees are charged per search with costs displayed before you complete the transaction. Subscriptions are available for users who need frequent access. The database includes civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic records.

In-Person Search

You can visit the courthouse in Elba or the satellite location in Enterprise to search records without paying online fees. Bring any information you have about the case. Circuit Clerk staff will assist with your search. Copy fees apply for documents you want to take with you.

Written Request

Mail a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the Elba address. Include names of parties, case type, and any known dates or case numbers. Prepayment for search and copy fees is typically required. Response times vary but usually take two to four weeks.

Fees for Court Records

Coffee County charges standard fees for court record services:

Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Contact the office to verify current payment options.

Types of Court Docket Records

Civil Case Dockets

Civil dockets record lawsuits between private parties. Common civil matters in Coffee County include property disputes, contract claims, personal injury cases, landlord-tenant issues, and debt collection. Circuit Court handles civil cases over $10,000. District Court handles smaller civil matters and small claims under $3,000.

Criminal Case Dockets

Criminal dockets track prosecutions by the State of Alabama. Circuit Court handles felony cases including drug offenses, property crimes, assault, and other serious matters. District Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary felony hearings. Traffic citations are also part of the docket system.

Domestic Relations Dockets

Family law matters appear on the domestic relations docket. This includes divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and domestic violence protective orders. Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all family law cases in Coffee County.

Probate Records

Probate Court is separate from Circuit Court and maintains its own records. Probate matters include wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and adoptions. The Probate Judge handles these cases. Adoption records are generally sealed and not publicly available.

Coffee County Court Records Portal

The image below shows the Alacourt ACCESS search interface for Coffee County court records.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 establishes the right of Alabama residents to inspect and copy public records including court records. A 2024 amendment requires requesters to prove Alabama residency. An Alabama driver license or voter registration card satisfies this requirement. The law is construed in favor of public disclosure.

Privacy and Confidentiality Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality became effective January 1, 2025. These rules identify 96 categories of privileged or confidential information. Protected data includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, medical records, names of minor crime victims, and domestic violence victim addresses.

Sealed Records

Courts may seal records when the need for confidentiality outweighs public interest in access. Reasons include trade secret protection, national security, scandal prevention, and family privacy. Juvenile records are confidential by statute. Youthful offender and adoption records are typically sealed as well.

Expungement

Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 and following sections allow expungement of certain criminal records. Eligible records include dismissed charges, acquittals, and some non-violent offenses. Expunged records are removed from public databases.

12th Judicial Circuit

Coffee County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit along with Pike County. Circuit judges handle cases in both counties, traveling between courthouses as the docket requires. This arrangement allows for efficient use of judicial resources across the two-county area.

Despite sharing judges, Coffee County maintains its own Circuit Clerk office and court records. Cases filed in Coffee County stay with the Coffee County Circuit Clerk for their entire duration, regardless of which judge presides.

Two County Seats

Coffee County is one of the few Alabama counties with two county seats. Elba serves as the primary seat in the southern part of the county, while Enterprise serves the northern portion. The Circuit Clerk office is based in Elba, though some court services may be available at both locations. Contact the Circuit Clerk to determine where to file or retrieve specific documents.

Additional Court Resources

Alabama Appellate Courts

Appeals from Coffee County go to the Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals. The Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal provides free access to appellate records. No registration or fees required.

Federal Courts

Federal matters involving Coffee County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery. Access federal records through PACER. Registration and fees apply.

Legal Aid

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

Search Coffee County Court Dockets

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

Cities and Towns in Coffee County

Court records for residents of these communities are maintained by the Coffee County Circuit Clerk:

• Elba (county seat)
• Enterprise (county seat)
• New Brockton
• Kinston

No cities in Coffee County exceed 100,000 in population. For information about major Alabama cities, see Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, or Tuscaloosa.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Coffee County and maintain separate court record systems: