Clarke County Criminal History

Criminal history records in Clarke County are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's office located at the courthouse in Grove Hill. The clerk is custodian of all felony and misdemeanor appeal case files for the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Choctaw and Washington counties. District courts handle initial misdemeanor filings, while the Circuit Court processes felonies, appeals, and serious criminal matters. Clarke County residents can access criminal records through the Alacourt ACCESS system or by visiting the clerk's office in person. Public access to these records is governed by Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, which establishes the right of citizens to inspect public writings.

County Information

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

Circuit Court Clerk Summer Padgett oversees criminal records management in Clarke County. The clerk's office maintains comprehensive case files including indictments, arrest warrants, arraignment records, pre-trial motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, verdicts, sentencing orders, and probation documentation. The office is located at 114 Court Street in Grove Hill and provides public access to criminal history records during regular business hours.

Interested parties can request inspection of court records by providing defendant names, case numbers, or approximate filing dates. Staff members assist with file retrieval and can direct visitors to public terminals for searching. The clerk's office processes requests for certified copies of court documents, which are often required for employment background checks, licensing applications, or legal proceedings.

How to Search Records in Clarke County

Clarke County criminal records are accessible through the Alacourt ACCESS system at pa.alacourt.com. This statewide database allows users to search circuit and district court cases by defendant name or case number. Search results display charges, filing dates, court dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. Each search costs $9.99 and provides immediate access to basic case data.

For more detailed documents, in-person visits to the courthouse offer access to complete case files. Visitors should bring valid photo identification and request assistance at the clerk's office window. Staff can retrieve specific files or provide guidance on using public access terminals. This method avoids per-search fees and allows review of complete court records.

1st Judicial Circuit

Clarke County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which serves three counties in southwest Alabama: Clarke, Choctaw, and Washington. The circuit has jurisdiction over felony criminal prosecutions, civil cases exceeding district court monetary limits, and appeals from lower courts. A single circuit judge presides over the three-county circuit with court sessions rotating between the county seats.

Fees and Costs

Alabama Code Section 41-9-644 establishes a maximum fee of $25 for criminal records inspections by the Circuit Court Clerk or ALEA. Clarke County follows this statutory limit. Additional fees apply for certified copies, which require both copying charges and certification fees. Standard copy fees range from $0.50 to $1.00 per page, with certification typically adding $1.00 to $5.00 per document.

Cities & Towns in Clarke County

Clarke County contains several municipalities. Criminal cases involving residents of these cities are filed and maintained at the Clarke County Circuit Court Clerk's office in Grove Hill:

Nearby Counties