Search Hale County Court Docket
Court docket records in Hale County track every case through the local court system. The county sits in west-central Alabama and is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit with Bibb, Dallas, Perry, and Wilcox counties. The Circuit Clerk in Greensboro keeps all trial court records and lets the public see docket info. If you need to check on a case, look up a past judgment, or see someone's court history, Hale County records are there online and in person. The docket has civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic crimes.
Hale County Quick Facts
Hale County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Hale County. This office takes filings for Circuit Court and District Court, keeps the docket up to date, and handles copy requests and certified papers. Staff runs case files, handles payments for fines and fees, and works with judges of the 4th Judicial Circuit on court times.
| Address | 1001 Main St Greensboro, AL 36744 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 624-4257 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 4th Judicial Circuit (with Bibb, Dallas, Perry, Wilcox) |
Court Records Available
Hale County courts keep records for many case types. Circuit Court handles felonies, civil lawsuits over $10,000, and all family law matters like divorce and custody. District Court takes misdemeanors, first felony hearings, small claims up to $3,000, and civil cases under $10,000. Traffic tickets and city court appeals also show up in District Court.
Online Access Through Alacourt
Hale County court records are on Alacourt ACCESS, the state court records database. You can search by name or case number. Each search has a fee shown before you pay. You can use a credit card. Results show case basics and let you see full docket sheets with all events and filings in order.
Fees for Court Record Services
Hale County uses standard Alabama fees for court record services. The Circuit Clerk collects fees for copies, certified copies, and searches done by staff.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy fees (regular) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification |
| Record search (computerized) | $10.00 |
| Record search (manual/paper) | $20.00 |
You can pay in person with cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Hale County Circuit Clerk with a stamped return envelope. Alacourt has its own fees shown on the site.
How to Search Court Dockets
Online Search Process
To search Hale County records online, go to Alacourt ACCESS. Set up an account or go in as a guest. Pick Hale County from the list or search all Alabama counties at once. Type in the name with last name first. If you have a case number, that's faster. Look at the matching cases and pick one to see the full docket with all entries.
In-Person Search
The Hale County Courthouse on Main Street in Greensboro lets you see court records during work hours. You can use computer terminals to search with no per-search fees. Staff can help find records, but they can't give legal advice. Bring an ID and have names, dates, or case numbers ready to search faster.
Mail Requests
Mail requests for Hale County court records should go to the Circuit Clerk. Include all party names, the rough time frame, and case type if you know it. Give your full return address and pay the search fee up front. Allow three to four weeks. The clerk will send papers or let you know if nothing was found or more money is needed.
Legal Framework for Record Access
Alabama laws and court rules set who can see court records in Hale County. These rules decide what the public can see and what stays private.
Public Records Law
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records, including court papers. A 2024 change now asks for proof that you live in Alabama. An Alabama driver license, state ID, or voter registration works. Records should be ready during office hours.
Court Record Privacy Rules
Starting January 1, 2025, the Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality set rules for what stays private in court files. These rules list 96 types of data that must stay private. This includes Social Security numbers, bank info, medical records, names of child crime victims, and addresses of abuse victims. People filing papers must cut this info out.
Sealed and Restricted Records
Some court records in Hale County can't be seen by the public. Juvenile court cases are private under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Adoption records are sealed by law. Judges can also seal other records when there's good cause, like protecting trade secrets, stopping harm to people, or keeping family matters private. To see sealed records, you must file a motion and get a court order.
Types of Cases in Hale County Courts
Criminal Cases
The criminal docket in Hale County has both felonies and misdemeanors. Circuit Court handles serious crimes like murder, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, and sex crimes. District Court takes lesser crimes like small theft, simple assault, drug possession, and DUI. The docket shows arrests, bond hearings, charges, pleas, trials, and sentencing for each case.
Civil Cases
Civil fights between parties show up on the Hale County docket. Contract issues, injury claims, property line disputes, and collection cases are common. Circuit Court handles bigger civil matters. District Court takes smaller claims and evictions. The docket tracks complaints, answers, motions, discovery issues, and final judgments.
Domestic Relations
Family law cases in Hale County go to Circuit Court. Divorce, child custody fights, child support, visitation, and abuse protection orders all make docket entries. These cases can stay active for years as families come back to court when things change.
Traffic Cases
Traffic crimes in Hale County go to District Court. Speeding, reckless driving, driving with no valid license, and running stop signs are typical charges. More serious traffic crimes like vehicular assault or habitual offender cases may go up to Circuit Court.
Related Record Sources
Hale County Probate Court
The Probate Judge keeps records separate from the Circuit Clerk. This includes wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Probate records aren't in Alacourt. Call the Probate Office at (334) 624-4258 for these records.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has criminal background checks that may show records from the whole state, not just Hale County.
Alabama Department of Corrections
To find info on people in prison, use the inmate search at the Alabama Department of Corrections site. It shows where they are and release dates.
Federal Courts
Hale County is in the Southern District of Alabama for federal court. Bankruptcy, federal criminal cases, and lawsuits on federal issues go there. Use PACER to search federal court records.
Cities and Towns in Hale County
Hale County has a small, mostly rural group spread across several towns. Greensboro is the county seat where the courthouse sits. Other towns are Akron, Moundville, and Newbern. Court records for all Hale County folks are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Greensboro.
No towns in Hale County have enough people for their own city pages on this site. All court filings go through the county courthouse.
Nearby Counties
If you need records from nearby areas, these counties sit next to Hale County.
Search Hale County Court Records
Use the search tool below to find court docket information from Hale County and across Alabama.