Search Morgan County Court Docket

Court docket records in Morgan County track all cases filed in the 8th Judicial Circuit, which serves only Morgan County. The county is in north-central Alabama by the Tennessee River. It sees a steady flow of civil, crime, and family law matters at the Decatur courthouse. The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records and lets the public see them online and in person. Search through Alacourt ACCESS or go to the clerk's office. You can also mail requests for copies with the right fees.

Morgan County Circuit Clerk

The Morgan County Circuit Clerk's office keeps all court docket records for the 8th Judicial Circuit. Staff take new case filings, keep records up to date, and give copies to the public. The office handles civil, crime, family, and traffic case records.

Courthouse Location

The Morgan County Courthouse is in downtown Decatur on Lee Street. It has the Circuit Clerk's office, courtrooms, and other county offices. Bring your ID when you ask for court records. Parking is on nearby streets and in public lots.

How to Search Court Docket Records

Online Search via Alacourt ACCESS

Morgan County court dockets are on Alacourt ACCESS, the state court records database. It has trial court records from all 67 Alabama counties. Search by name or case number. Fees are shown before each search. If you search often, a subscription may save you money.

In-Person Record Search

The public can go to the Circuit Clerk's office during work hours to search court dockets. In-person searches have no fee per search, but copy fees apply. Staff can help find cases and explain what info is out there.

Written Requests

You can mail requests for court records to the Circuit Clerk. Put in the full names of parties, the case type, and rough dates. Pay the fees up front. It takes two to four weeks to process.

Fees for Court Records

Morgan County charges fees for copies and searches of court records. Pay by cash, check, or money order. Call the clerk's office to check fees and payment types.

Fees may differ based on the record type and how hard the search is. Call the Circuit Clerk for exact fee info.

Types of Court Docket Records

Civil Cases

Civil dockets track suits between private parties. Common civil matters are contract fights, injury claims, property fights, debt cases, and evictions. Circuit Court hears cases over $10,000. District Court takes smaller ones.

Criminal Cases

Criminal dockets record cases Alabama brings against people. Felonies go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors go to District Court. Records cover arraignments, hearings, trials, and sentencing.

Domestic Relations

Family law matters go on domestic relations dockets. This covers divorce filings, custody cases, child support, and protection orders. Circuit Court hears these cases.

Traffic Cases

Traffic tickets are in the court docket system. Most traffic cases go to District Court or the city's Municipal Court.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 lets Alabama residents look at and copy public records including court dockets. A 2024 change says you must show proof you live in Alabama. A driver license or voter card works.

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. Cut info includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and victim info in some cases.

Sealed and Confidential Records

Some court records are not open to the public. Sealed records, juvenile cases, young offender cases, and adoption records are blocked. Courts may also seal records with trade secrets, national security info, or stuff that could cause harm if shared.

Expungement

Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 sets rules for expunging criminal records. Dropped charges, acquittals, and some offenses may qualify after a wait time.

Morgan County Court Structure

8th Judicial Circuit

Morgan County is the only county in the 8th Judicial Circuit. All circuit-level matters stay in one system. The Circuit Clerk keeps dockets for both Circuit Court and District Court.

Circuit Court

Morgan County Circuit Court hears felonies, civil cases over $10,000, family cases, and appeals from lower courts. It also takes juvenile cases.

District Court

Morgan County District Court takes misdemeanors, civil cases under $10,000, small claims under $3,000, and first hearings for felonies. Traffic tickets also go through District Court.

Probate Court

The Morgan County Probate Court is apart from the Circuit Clerk. It handles wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health cases, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge keeps probate records.

Municipal Courts

Cities in Morgan County like Decatur, Hartselle, and Priceville run Municipal Courts. They handle city ordinance tickets and traffic offenses in city limits. Each city keeps its own records.

Related Record Sources

Federal Courts

Federal cases with Morgan County residents go to the Northern District of Alabama. Federal court records are on the PACER system.

Alabama Appellate Courts

Appeals from Morgan County courts go to the Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals. Appellate records are free at the Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal.

Criminal Background Checks

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency does criminal background checks. The Alabama Department of Corrections has an online inmate search.

Property Records

Deeds, mortgages, and liens are filed with the Morgan County Probate Court. Property tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner's office.

Cities in Morgan County

Morgan County has several cities. Decatur is the largest and the county seat. Court docket records for all Morgan County residents are kept by the Circuit Clerk, no matter what city they live in.

Major cities in Morgan County are Decatur, Hartselle, Priceville, Somerville, and Falkville. None meet the 100,000 mark for a city page on this site. All Morgan County residents get court records through the Circuit Clerk in Decatur.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Morgan County. Each keeps its own court docket records through its Circuit Clerk.