Find Court Docket in Lawrence County
Court docket records in Lawrence County track all cases filed in this north-central Alabama county. Lawrence County makes up the whole 36th Judicial Circuit. It has its own judges. The Circuit Clerk in Moulton keeps files for all trial court matters. This covers civil fights, crime cases, family law, and traffic tickets. The county sits by the Tennessee River and has parts of the Bankhead National Forest. You can search records online or in person.
Lawrence County Quick Facts
Lawrence County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Lawrence County. This office takes filings for Circuit Court and District Court. Staff keep the docket up to date, take fee payments, and let the public see records. Since Lawrence is the only county in the 36th Judicial Circuit, it has its own judges. It does not share with other counties.
| Address | 14330 Court St Moulton, AL 35650 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 974-2435 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 36th Judicial Circuit (Lawrence County only) |
Court Records Available
Lawrence County courts keep records for all trial case types. Circuit Court hears felonies, civil suits with more than $10,000 at stake, and all family matters like divorce and custody. District Court takes misdemeanors, first hearings for felonies, civil cases under $10,000, and small claims up to $3,000. Traffic tickets from Lawrence County show up in District Court too.
Online Access Through Alacourt
Lawrence County court records are in Alacourt ACCESS, the state court records site. You can search by name or case number. Each search has a fee shown before you pay. Pay by credit card. Results show case info with parties and status. Full docket sheets list all events in order by date. Many records link to scanned docs.
Fees for Court Record Services
Lawrence 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 |
In person, you can pay by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, send a check or money order to the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk. Add a stamped envelope with your address. The Alacourt site shows its own fees before each search.
How to Search Court Dockets
Online Search Process
To search Lawrence County court records online, go to Alacourt ACCESS. Make an account if you search often, or go as a guest. Pick Lawrence County from the list. Or search all Alabama counties at once. Type the name you want with last name first. If you have a case number, use it for faster results. Look through matches and pick one to see the full docket.
In-Person Search
The Lawrence County Courthouse on Court Street in Moulton lets the public see court records during work hours. Terminals let you search with no fee per search. This works well for deep research or when you want staff help. Bring your ID. Come with names, dates, or case numbers ready. Staff can help find records but can't give legal advice.
Mail Requests
You can mail written requests for Lawrence County court records to the Circuit Clerk. Put in the names of the parties, rough dates, case type if you know it, and your address. Pay the search fee up front with a check or money order. It takes two to three weeks to process. The clerk will send the docs or let you know if they need more money or info.
Legal Framework for Record Access
Alabama laws and court rules set the rules for getting court records in Lawrence County. These laws say what records you can see 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 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 info as private. This covers Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical records, names of child crime victims, and addresses of abuse victims. People who file docs must cut out this info before sending them to court.
Sealed and Restricted Records
Some court records in Lawrence County are not open to the public. Juvenile records are private under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Adoption files are sealed. Judges can seal other records for good cause. This may mean guarding trade secrets, stopping harassment, or keeping family matters private. You need a court order to see sealed records.
Types of Cases in Lawrence County Courts
Criminal Cases
Crime cases in Lawrence County split between Circuit Court and District Court. Felonies like break-ins, drug dealing, assault, and big theft go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors like rowdy conduct, simple assault, small drug crimes, and first DUI go to District Court. The crime docket tracks each step from arrest to final sentence.
Civil Cases
Civil cases in Lawrence County are fights between parties over money or other help. Contract fights, injury suits, property fights, and debt cases are common. Circuit Court takes bigger civil matters. District Court handles smaller claims and landlord-tenant issues. The civil docket shows pleadings, discovery, motions, and judgments.
Domestic Relations
Family law cases go to Lawrence County Circuit Court. Divorces, custody fights, child support setup and changes, visitation plans, and abuse protection orders all make docket entries. Family cases often stay open as people come back for changes.
Traffic Cases
Traffic tickets from Lawrence County go to District Court. Speeding, not stopping, driving with no license, and reckless driving are common charges. Bad traffic crimes may move up to Circuit Court.
Related Record Sources
Lawrence County Probate Court
The Probate Judge keeps records apart from the Circuit Clerk. This covers wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Probate records are not in Alacourt. Call the Probate Office at (256) 974-2437 for estate and property matters.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Statewide criminal background 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 site has an inmate search. It shows where inmates are and when they may get out.
Federal Courts
Lawrence County is in the Northern District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal crimes, bankruptcy, and civil rights suits go to federal court. Search federal records with PACER.
Cities and Towns in Lawrence County
Lawrence County has several towns in north-central Alabama. Moulton is the county seat and has the courthouse. Other towns are Town Creek, Courtland, Hillsboro, and North Courtland. The Circuit Clerk in Moulton keeps court records for all Lawrence County residents.
No towns in Lawrence County have more than 100,000 people. So there are no city pages for this county. All court filings go through the county court system.
Nearby Counties
Need court records from nearby? These counties border Lawrence County.
Search Lawrence County Court Records
Use the search tool below to find court docket info from Lawrence County and all of Alabama.