Elmore County Court Docket

Court docket records for Elmore County track all cases through the county court system. The Circuit Clerk in Wetumpka keeps these records. They cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, traffic tickets, and family law matters like divorce and child custody. Elmore County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit with Autauga and Chilton counties. It sits in central Alabama just north of the state capital. The county has grown a lot in the past few decades. You can get docket info through the Alacourt ACCESS site or in person at the Elmore County Courthouse.

Elmore County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Elmore County. This elected role takes in case filings, keeps the docket up to date, collects fines and fees, and gives the public access to records. Staff can help with record searches and tell you how court steps work. They can't give legal advice or help fill out legal forms.

Services Offered

At the Circuit Clerk's office, you can search court dockets, ask for copies of papers, get certified copies for official use, and pay fines or court costs. The office takes new case filings and handles appeals from lower courts. Staff can look up case status and tell you about hearings. Have the case number or party names ready when you call or visit for faster help.

Online Court Record Access

Elmore County court dockets are in the statewide Alacourt ACCESS database. This online tool lets you search trial court records from all Alabama counties from home.

Using Alacourt ACCESS

To search Elmore County records through Alacourt ACCESS, you need to set up an account first. There's a fee for each search. The site shows the cost before you pay. You can search by name or case number. Results show case summaries, party info, and docket entries in order for civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases.

What Records Are Online

Most recent Elmore County court records are in the online system. The database has both Circuit Court and District Court cases. Some records have limits on who can see them. Juvenile matters, sealed cases, and some domestic violence cases can't be viewed by the public. Old records from before e-filing may need an in-person search at the courthouse.

In-Person Searches

Going to the Elmore County Courthouse in Wetumpka lets you search records with no per-search fees. The clerk's office has public terminals and paper case files. This works well if you need to look at many cases or want detailed papers. Plan to visit during work hours and bring an ID.

Court Record Fees

Elmore County charges standard fees for court record services as required by Alabama law.

At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, money order, or certified check. Credit cards may work too, but there's a fee. For mail requests, write what you need, add a stamped return envelope, and pay up front with a check or money order to the Elmore County Circuit Clerk.

Types of Court Docket Records

Civil Dockets

Civil dockets in Elmore County track non-criminal fights between parties. These include contract disputes, injury lawsuits, property issues, foreclosure cases, and debt collection. Circuit Court handles civil cases over $10,000. District Court takes smaller claims and evictions. Each docket entry creates a record of filings, hearings, and orders in order by date.

Criminal Dockets

Criminal dockets show cases where the State of Alabama goes after people for alleged crimes. Elmore County Circuit Court handles felonies. District Court takes misdemeanors and holds first hearings. The docket tracks each stage from arrest through the end, including bail hearings, arraignments, plea talks, trials, and sentencing.

Traffic Dockets

Traffic tickets in Elmore County go through District Court or city courts in towns. The docket shows the ticket, court dates, and final result with fines or other penalties. More serious traffic crimes like DUI are treated as criminal matters with more detailed docket entries.

Domestic Relations Dockets

Family law matters like divorce, child custody, child support, and protective orders show up in domestic relations dockets. Circuit Court handles these cases. Docket entries log petitions, temp orders, hearings, mediation, and final decrees. Some info in family cases may be kept private when kids or abuse victims are part of the case.

Legal Framework for Record Access

State law controls public access to court records in Alabama. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. You must show proof that you live in Alabama. An Alabama driver license or voter registration card works.

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality set rules for what stays private. These rules list 96 types of data that must be cut from public records. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical info, and details that could ID certain crime victims.

Restricted Records

Not all court records can be seen by the public. Juvenile cases are private under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Adoption records are sealed by law. Courts can seal other cases if release would cause real harm. To see restricted records, you usually need to file a motion with the court and show a valid legal need.

The 19th Judicial Circuit

Elmore County is part of Alabama's 19th Judicial Circuit. Autauga County and Chilton County are also in this circuit. Judges rotate among the three counties to hear cases. The circuit serves over 180,000 people, making it one of the busier multi-county circuits in central Alabama.

The three-county setup means court times in Elmore County depend on when judges are free. Cases are usually grouped on days when the circuit judge is in Wetumpka. Lawyers in Elmore County should know how things work in all three counties. Since Montgomery is close, some lawyers practice in both the 19th and 15th circuits.

Population Growth

Elmore County has grown a lot as the Montgomery metro area pushed north. Towns like Millbrook and Coosada have gotten much bigger. This growth has brought more cases to the court system, especially civil matters, traffic cases, and family law cases.

Cities in Elmore County

Elmore County has Wetumpka and other growing towns. Court records for folks across the county are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Wetumpka. City courts in towns handle local law violations apart from the county court system.

Towns in Elmore County include Wetumpka (the county seat, about 8,500 people), Millbrook (about 17,000 people), Prattville (partly in Elmore County), Coosada, Deatsville, Eclectic, Elmore, Tallassee (partly in Elmore County), and other smaller spots. None of these have over 100,000 people.

For court info in nearby big cities, Montgomery sits right to the south and is the state capital. Many Elmore County folks work in Montgomery and may have court matters in both places.

Nearby Counties

Elmore County sits next to several other Alabama counties. Each county keeps its own court records.

Additional Resources

These links can help with court record searches and legal questions in Elmore County.

Search Elmore County Court Records

Use the search tool below to find court docket information for Elmore County, Alabama.