Search Lee County Court Docket
Court docket records in Lee County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Opelika. Lee County is in the 37th Judicial Circuit. It is a standalone circuit, so all judges serve only Lee County. The docket holds the record of all court cases from start to end. The public can search for civil cases, crime matters, family filings, and traffic tickets. You can search online through Alacourt ACCESS. Or visit the Circuit Clerk office in person during work hours.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Lee County. This office holds files for Circuit Court and District Court. It handles all case filings and doc requests. Staff process new filings, record judgments and orders, and give copies of court docs to the public.
| Address | 215 S 9th St Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 737-3650 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 37th Judicial Circuit (Lee County only) |
What Records Are Available
The Circuit Clerk keeps docket info for many case types. Circuit Court hears felonies, civil cases over $10,000, family cases like divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts. District Court takes misdemeanors, civil cases under $10,000, small claims, and first hearings for felonies. Traffic tickets also go in the docket system.
How to Search Court Dockets
There are a few ways to search Lee County court docket records. The easiest is Alacourt ACCESS, the state online site with trial court records from all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by name or case number. The site charges a fee per search, shown before you pay. If you don't want to pay online fees, go to the Circuit Clerk office in person. You can browse records with no fee per search. But you still pay copy fees when you ask for docs.
Online Court Records Access
Lee County court records are in the Alacourt ACCESS site. It covers all Alabama trial court records. The system has civil cases, crime cases, family matters, and traffic tickets filed in Lee County courts.
The online system lets you search by any party name or case number. Results show basic case info like case type, filing date, parties, and status. More details like docket entries, filings, and orders may cost extra. Or you may need to visit the courthouse in person.
Fees and Costs
The Lee County Circuit Clerk charges fees for copies and searches of court records. These fees help pay for the cost of keeping and sharing public records.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee |
| Record search fee | $5.00 to $10.00 |
| Alacourt ACCESS | Per-search fees apply (displayed before transaction) |
The Circuit Clerk office takes cash, check, and money order. Credit cards may work for some things. For mail requests, you must pay up front before they send records.
Legal Framework for Court Record Access
State law and court rules set the rules for court docket records in Alabama. Knowing these rules helps you see what info you can get and what limits there are.
Public Records Law
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 lets Alabama residents look at and copy public records, including court records. A 2024 change says you must show proof you live in Alabama. A driver license, state ID, or voter card works. The law leans toward letting the public see records.
Court Privacy Rules
The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality say what info can be cut or blocked in court records. These rules list 96 types of private info. This covers Social Security numbers, tax IDs, bank account numbers, medical account numbers, names of child crime victims, abuse victim addresses, and trade secrets. Some records like juvenile cases, sealed cases, adoptions, and young offender records are not open to the public.
Requesting Sealed Records
If you need sealed or private records, you must ask the court for permission. The court looks at why you want them, what the sealed info is, and if sharing it could cause harm. A lawyer can help you file this kind of request.
Additional Resources
Appellate Court Records
Cases appealed from Lee County Circuit Court go to the Alabama appeals courts. The Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal gives free access to cases from the Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. You don't need to sign up or pay.
Federal Court Records
Lee County is in the Middle District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal cases are kept apart from state courts. Search them through PACER. Federal matters include bankruptcy, federal crimes, and civil suits with federal law or parties from different states.
Legal Assistance
If you need help with court records or the legal system, call the Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-354-6154. Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income residents who qualify. Call them at 1-866-456-4995. The Lee County Law Library may have self-help resources too.
Cities and Towns in Lee County
Lee County has several cities including Opelika and Auburn. The Lee County Circuit Clerk keeps court records for these cities. City courts handle ordinance tickets and minor traffic matters in city limits. But those records stay with each city.
Major communities in Lee County include:
- Opelika (county seat)
- Auburn (home of Auburn University)
- Phenix City (partially in Lee County)
- Smiths Station
- Beauregard
- Loachapoka
For city court records like ordinance tickets or traffic tickets in city limits, call that city's court. Circuit and District Court records for all Lee County residents are kept at the county courthouse in Opelika.
Nearby Counties
Lee County shares borders with several other Alabama counties. If you're not sure which county has a case, look where the defendant lives or where the events took place.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find court docket info from Lee County and all of Alabama.