Henry County Court Docket Search

Court docket records in Henry County track all cases filed in this southeast Alabama county. Henry County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Houston County. The Circuit Clerk in Abbeville keeps the records for all local court cases. You can search these records online through Alacourt or visit the courthouse in person during work hours. The docket shows a full timeline of each case with filings, hearings, orders, and final judgments. Civil lawsuits, criminal charges, divorce, and traffic tickets all show up in the county court docket.

Henry County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Henry County. This elected role takes in court papers, keeps the docket up to date, collects fines and fees, and gives copies to the public. The clerk's office handles filings for Circuit Court and District Court and works with judges from the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Court Records Available

Henry County keeps court records for all types of trial court cases. Circuit Court handles felonies, civil cases over $10,000, and family law matters like divorce and child custody. District Court takes misdemeanors, first hearings in felony cases, small claims, and civil cases under $10,000. Traffic tickets in the county also make docket entries.

Online Access Through Alacourt

Henry County court records are in the statewide Alacourt ACCESS database. You can search by name or case number. It covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. There's a fee for each search, and you can pay by credit card. Results show case summaries, docket sheets with all events in order, and links to scanned papers when they're there.

Fees for Court Record Services

Henry County charges fees for court record services as set by Alabama law. The Circuit Clerk collects fees for copies, certified copies, and staff searches.

At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. Mail requests must have a check or money order to Henry County Circuit Clerk paid up front. Add a stamped return envelope. The Alacourt site has its own fees shown before each search.

How to Search Court Dockets

Online Search Process

To search Henry County court records online, go to Alacourt ACCESS. Set up an account or search as a guest. Pick Henry County from the list or search the whole state. Type in the name with last name first, or use a case number if you have one. The system shows matching cases. Pick one to see the full docket with every event from first filing through now.

In-Person Search

The Henry County Courthouse at Court Square in Abbeville lets you see court records. You can search on terminals in the clerk's office with no per-search fees. This helps if you need to look at many cases or want staff help. Bring a valid ID and have names or case numbers ready. Staff can help find records but can't give legal advice.

Mail Requests

You can ask for Henry County court records by mail. Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk with party names, the rough date range, and case type. Include your return address and pay the search fee up front. It takes about two to three weeks. The clerk will send copies or let you know if more info or money is needed.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Alabama law sets who can see court records in Henry County. These rules decide what's public 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. Court records fall under this law. A 2024 change asks for proof that you live in Alabama before you can get records. An Alabama driver license, state ID, or voter registration works. Records are there during work hours.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality started January 1, 2025. These rules list 96 types of info as private. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical info, names of child victims, and addresses of abuse victims. Filers must cut this info from papers before filing.

Sealed and Restricted Records

Some records in Henry County courts can't be seen by the public. Juvenile cases are private under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Adoption files are sealed. A judge may also seal other records when there's good cause, like protecting witnesses, stopping harassment, or keeping family info private. To see sealed records, you must ask the court and get approval.

Types of Cases in Henry County Courts

Criminal Cases

Criminal cases in Henry County show up on the court docket. Felonies like burglary, assault, drug crimes, and theft go to Circuit Court. District Court handles misdemeanors like disorderly conduct, minor drug possession, and first DUI. The docket tracks each step from arrest through trial, conviction, and sentencing.

Civil Cases

Civil fights between people or businesses show up in the Henry County docket. Contract breach, injury claims, property issues, and debt collection are common. Circuit Court hears bigger cases. District Court handles smaller claims and evictions. The civil docket shows pleadings, discovery, motions, and how each case ended.

Domestic Relations

Family law cases go to Henry County Circuit Court. This includes divorce, child custody, child support setup and changes, visitation fights, and abuse protection orders. Family dockets often stay active for years as people come back when things change.

Traffic Cases

Traffic tickets in Henry County go to District Court. Speeding, failure to yield, driving with a suspended license, and other car crimes show up on the traffic docket. Serious traffic crimes may go up to Circuit Court.

Related Record Sources

Henry County Probate Court

Probate records are kept separate from the Circuit Clerk. The Probate Judge handles wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. These records aren't in Alacourt. Call the Probate Office at (334) 585-3231 for estate and property matters.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

For statewide criminal history checks, go to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Background checks may have records from other counties too.

Alabama Department of Corrections

Info on people in state prison is on the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search. It shows where they are and when they might get out.

Federal Courts

Henry County is in the Middle District of Alabama for federal court. Federal cases like bankruptcy, federal crimes, and civil rights lawsuits are on PACER, the federal court records system.

Cities and Towns in Henry County

Henry County has several small towns. Abbeville is the county seat where the courthouse sits. Other towns are Headland, Newville, and Haleburg. Court records for folks in all these areas are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Abbeville.

No towns in Henry County have over 100,000 people, so there are no city pages for this county. All court matters go through the county.

Nearby Counties

For court records from nearby areas, these counties sit next to Henry County.

Search Henry County Court Records

Use the search tool below to find court docket information from Henry County and across Alabama.