Franklin County Court Docket Search

Court docket records for Franklin County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Russellville. These records track all cases in the county court system. This covers civil disputes, criminal matters, traffic tickets, and family law cases like divorce and custody. Franklin County is the only county in the 34th Judicial Circuit. This gives it its own judges. The county sits in the far northwest corner of Alabama and serves about 32,000 people. You can get court docket info online through Alacourt ACCESS or in person at the clerk's office during work hours.

Franklin County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Franklin County. This office takes in case filings, keeps the docket up to date, handles fee payments, and gives the public access to court papers. Staff can help you find case info and tell you how court works. They can't give legal advice or help fill out legal forms.

Services Available

The Circuit Clerk's office does a lot. You can search court dockets, ask for copies of papers, get certified copies for legal use, and pay fines or court costs. The office takes new case filings for civil matters, family law, and appeals from lower courts. Staff can check case status and give you hearing dates if you have the case number or party names.

Online Court Record Access

Franklin County court dockets are in the statewide Alacourt ACCESS database. This online site has trial court records from all Alabama counties.

Using Alacourt ACCESS

The Alacourt ACCESS site lets you look up Franklin County court records online. You need to sign up for an account. 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 info, party details, and docket entries.

Online Record Coverage

Most recent Franklin County court records are online. The database has civil cases, criminal matters, traffic tickets, and family law cases from Circuit and District Court. Some records can't be viewed by the public. These include juvenile cases, sealed files, and some domestic violence matters. Old records from before e-filing may need an in-person search at the courthouse.

In-Person Searches

Going to the Franklin County Courthouse in Russellville 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 a valid ID.

Fees for Court Records

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

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

Types of Court Docket Records

Civil Dockets

Civil court dockets in Franklin County track lawsuits over non-criminal matters. Common cases are contract fights, injury claims, property issues, debt collection, and foreclosures. Circuit Court handles civil claims over $10,000. District Court takes smaller claims. 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. Franklin County Circuit Court handles felonies. District Court takes misdemeanors and holds first hearings. The docket tracks each step from arrest to the end, including bail, arraignments, motions, trials, and sentencing.

Traffic Dockets

Traffic tickets in Franklin County go into the court docket system. Minor tickets usually end up in District Court or city court. More serious ones like DUI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license get treated as criminal matters. The docket shows the ticket, court dates, and final result with fines or penalties.

Domestic Relations Dockets

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

Legal Framework for Record Access

State law and court rules control 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 prove you live in Alabama with a driver license or voter registration card.

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, and addresses of certain crime victims.

Restricted Records

Some court records can't 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 harm. To see restricted records, you usually need to file a motion with the court and show a real legal need.

The 34th Judicial Circuit

Franklin County is the only county in Alabama's 34th Judicial Circuit. This means the county has its own judges instead of sharing with other counties. The circuit judge stays in Russellville and handles all circuit court cases for Franklin County folks.

Being a single-county circuit helps the courts run well. Times are steady since judges don't split time with other places. The judge gets to know local lawyers and keeps things running the same way. Cases can move through faster. For Franklin County folks and lawyers, this means seeing the same judge through most of a case.

Court Operations

Court cases are heard at the Franklin County Courthouse on Jackson Avenue in Russellville. The building has both Circuit Court and District Court plus the Circuit Clerk's office. Show up early for court dates and give yourself time for security checks.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County has Russellville and a few smaller towns. Court records for folks across the county are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Russellville. City courts in towns handle local law violations apart from the county system.

Towns in Franklin County include Russellville (the county seat, about 10,000 people), Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Vina, Hodges, and smaller rural spots. No cities in Franklin County have over 100,000 people.

For court info in big Alabama cities, Huntsville is about 65 miles east in Madison County. Birmingham is about 90 miles southeast.

Nearby Counties

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

Additional Resources

These links can help with court record searches and legal matters in Franklin County.

Search Franklin County Court Records

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