Access Lauderdale County Court Docket
Court docket records in Lauderdale County log all legal cases in this part of northwest Alabama along the Tennessee River. The county makes up the whole 11th Judicial Circuit and has its own judges. The Circuit Clerk in Florence keeps files for all trial court cases. This includes civil suits, crime cases, and family matters. Florence is part of the Shoals metro area. You can get records online or in person at the clerk's office.
Lauderdale County Quick Facts
Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk runs all court records for Lauderdale County. This office takes in filings for both Circuit Court and District Court. Staff keep the docket up to date, take fees, and let the public see records. Since it is the only county in the 11th Judicial Circuit, Lauderdale has its own judges. It does not share them with other counties.
| Address | 200 S Court St Florence, AL 35630 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 760-5800 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 11th Judicial Circuit (Lauderdale County only) |
Court Records Available
Lauderdale County courts deal with all types of trial cases. Circuit Court hears felonies, civil suits over $10,000, and all family law cases like divorce, custody, and child support. District Court takes care of misdemeanors, first hearings for felonies, civil cases under $10,000, and small claims. Traffic tickets in the county show up in District Court too.
Online Access Through Alacourt
Lauderdale County court records are in the Alacourt ACCESS state database. You can search by name or case number. There is a fee for each search, paid by credit card. Results show case info, full docket sheets with events in order by date, and links to scanned files when they exist. The site works any time of day.
Fees for Court Record Services
Lauderdale County uses standard Alabama fees for court record services. The Circuit Clerk takes fees for copies, certified docs, 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 |
At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, send a check or money order to the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk. Add a stamped envelope with your address on it. The Alacourt site shows its own fees before you pay.
How to Search Court Dockets
Online Search Process
To search Lauderdale County records online, go to the Alacourt ACCESS site. Sign up for an account or search as a guest. Pick Lauderdale County from the list, or search the whole state. Type the name you want with last name first. Use a case number if you have one for faster results. Look through the matches and pick one to see the full docket with all filings and events in order.
In-Person Search
The Lauderdale County Courthouse on South Court Street in Florence lets the public view court records during office hours. Terminals in the clerk's office let you search the database with no fee per search. This works well for deep research or when you need help from staff. Bring your ID. Have names, dates, or case numbers ready. Staff can help find records but they can't give legal advice.
Mail Requests
You can mail written requests for Lauderdale County court records to the Circuit Clerk. Put in the names of the parties, rough dates, case type if you know it, and your contact info. Send the search fee up front by check or money order. It takes two to three weeks to process. The clerk will mail you the docs or reach out if they need more info or payment.
Legal Framework for Record Access
Alabama law sets the rules for public access to Lauderdale County court records. Knowing these rules helps you see what records you can get and what stays private.
Public Records Law
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 lets Alabama residents look at and copy public records, including court docs. A 2024 change to the law says you must show proof you live in Alabama. A driver license, state ID, or voter card works. Records should be open during normal work hours.
Court Record Privacy Rules
The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. These rules list 96 types of private info that must stay protected. This covers Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical info, names of child crime victims, and home addresses of abuse victims. People who file docs must cut out this info before they send them to the court.
Sealed and Restricted Records
Some court records in Lauderdale County are not open to the public. Juvenile records are kept private under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Adoption files are sealed by law. Judges can seal other records if there is strong proof that sharing them would cause harm, give away trade secrets, or put a witness at risk. To get sealed records, you need to file a motion and get a court order.
Types of Cases in Lauderdale County Courts
Criminal Cases
The crime docket in Lauderdale County has felonies in Circuit Court and misdemeanors in District Court. Felonies cover drug dealing, break-ins, assault, robbery, and violent crimes. Misdemeanors include small theft, simple assault, minor drug cases, and DUI. The docket tracks arrests, bond hearings, charges, plea deals, trials, and sentencing.
Civil Cases
Civil cases in Lauderdale County are fights between parties over money, land, or other help from the court. Contract claims, injury suits, property fights, and debt cases are common. Circuit Court takes bigger civil cases. District Court handles smaller claims and evictions. The civil docket shows the complaint, the answer, discovery, motions, and judgments.
Domestic Relations
Family law cases go to Lauderdale County Circuit Court. Divorces, custody fights, child support setup and changes, visitation issues, and protective orders all make docket entries. These cases can go on for years. Families come back to court when things change.
Traffic Cases
Traffic tickets in Lauderdale County go to District Court. Speeding, running red lights, driving with no license, and reckless driving are common charges. Bad traffic crimes may move up to Circuit Court.
Related Record Sources
Lauderdale County Probate Court
The Probate Judge keeps records apart from the Circuit Clerk. Probate deals with wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. These records are not in Alacourt. Call the Probate Office at (256) 760-5750 for estate and property matters.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Statewide criminal history checks come from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Background reports may show records from other counties too.
Alabama Department of Corrections
The Alabama Department of Corrections has an inmate search. It shows where inmates are held and when they may get out.
Federal Courts
Lauderdale County is in the Northern District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal crimes, bankruptcy, and civil rights suits go to federal court. Use PACER to search federal records.
Cities and Towns in Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County is part of the Shoals metro area in northwest Alabama. Florence is the county seat and largest city. Other towns are Rogersville, Killen, Lexington, Waterloo, and St. Florian. The Circuit Clerk in Florence keeps court records for all these places.
Florence has about 40,000 people. That is below the 100,000 mark for a city page on this site. All court filings for Lauderdale County residents go through the county system at the Florence courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Need court records from nearby? These counties border Lauderdale County.
Search Lauderdale County Court Records
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