Mobile County Court Docket Search

Court docket records in Mobile County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at Government Plaza in downtown Mobile. Mobile County is the only county in the 13th Judicial Circuit. It ranks as one of the most populous counties in Alabama. The docket is the official log of all court events, tracking each case from start to finish. Mobile County sees a lot of court activity due to its size and busy port. Public records include civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters like divorce and custody, and traffic violations. You can search online through Alacourt ACCESS or visit the clerk's office in person. The City of Mobile also runs a separate municipal court for city violations.

Mobile County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records in Mobile County. Sharla Knox is the Circuit Clerk. Her staff takes in new case filings, keeps the official docket, records court orders and judgments, and gives copies to the public. The clerk's office also runs absentee voting for the county. Some records like original deeds, old files, probate matters, and notarized papers may need an in-person visit to view.

Court Jurisdiction

Mobile County Circuit Court takes felony crimes, civil cases over $10,000, family law matters like divorce and custody, and juvenile cases. District Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $10,000, small claims, traffic tickets, and early hearings for felonies.

Restricted Records

Some records in Mobile County need special permission to view. These include sealed cases, adoption files, youthful offender records, and juvenile case files. You must ask the court and give a good reason to access these restricted records.

Searching Court Records

You can search Mobile County court records in a few ways. Alacourt ACCESS is the statewide online portal. It lets you search by name or case number. Fees are charged per search. The City of Mobile also has a separate search for municipal court records. In-person visits to the clerk's office let you browse without per-search fees. Some older files and original papers may only be on-site.

Online Records Access

Mobile County is part of the Alacourt ACCESS system. This lets you search trial court records from all 67 Alabama counties online. The database covers civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic cases.

Online results show case numbers, party names, case types, filing dates, and status. The docket with the full case timeline is also there. Some documents cost extra to view or may need to be requested in person at Government Plaza.

Fees and Costs

Mobile County charges fees for court record services. State law and local rules set these fees.

The clerk's office takes various forms of payment. For mail requests, pay up front with a check or money order made out to the Mobile County Circuit Clerk.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Alabama statutes and court rules set who can see court records. These laws say what is public and what has access limits.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives state residents the right to see and copy public records including court dockets. A 2024 law now asks for proof you live in Alabama. A state driver license, ID card, or voter card works fine.

Privacy and Confidentiality Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality keep some info out of public view. These rules list 96 types of private data. This includes Social Security numbers, tax IDs, bank account numbers, medical records, names of child crime victims, and addresses of domestic violence victims. Juvenile records, sealed cases, adoptions, and youthful offender records are not open to the public.

Sealed Records

Courts can seal records if they find strong proof that the info has trade secrets, touches national security, could cause scandal, deals with private family matters, or could lead to serious harm. You need to file a petition with the court to see sealed records.

Additional Court Resources

City of Mobile Municipal Court

The City of Mobile runs a separate municipal court. It handles city rule violations and traffic tickets issued in city limits. These records are kept apart from county court records.

Appellate Court Records

Appeals from Mobile County Circuit Court go to the state appellate 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.

Federal Courts

Mobile County is the home of the Southern District of Alabama federal court. Federal cases including bankruptcy and federal crimes can be searched on the PACER system.

Legal Assistance

The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a lawyer. Call 1-800-354-6154. Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income residents. Call 1-866-456-4995.

Cities and Towns in Mobile County

Mobile County has several cities and towns. Court records for all county residents are kept at Government Plaza in downtown Mobile. Municipal courts handle city violations and traffic tickets issued in city limits.

Other communities in Mobile County include:

• Prichard
• Saraland
• Chickasaw
• Citronelle
• Satsuma
• Bayou La Batre
• Semmes

For Circuit and District Court records, call the Mobile County Circuit Clerk. For municipal court matters, call that city's municipal court direct.

Nearby Counties

Mobile County sits in southwest Alabama on Mobile Bay. It borders other counties plus Mississippi and Florida. If you are not sure where to look, cases are filed where the defendant lives or where the events took place.

Start Your Search

Search court docket records from Mobile County and throughout Alabama using the form below.