Lowndes County Court Records
Court records in Lowndes County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Hayneville. This office handles all filings and public record requests for the 2nd Judicial Circuit within the county.
Lowndes County Quick Facts
Lowndes County Circuit Clerk
The Lowndes County Circuit Clerk operates from the courthouse on South Washington Street in Hayneville. As a smaller county with under 10,000 residents, the court caseload is lighter than urban areas but the same procedures apply. The clerk's office handles all record keeping duties for civil and criminal cases.
| Office | Lowndes County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 S Washington St Hayneville, AL 36040 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Judicial Circuit |
Lowndes County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit along with Butler and Crenshaw counties. Circuit judges rotate between these three counties according to a set schedule. Court sessions in Hayneville are not held every week since the judge must also serve the other two counties. Contact the clerk's office to find out when court dates are scheduled.
Services Provided
The Circuit Clerk performs essential functions for court operations. Staff accept filings for new lawsuits and criminal cases, assigning case numbers and entering information into the court database. Every document filed in a pending case passes through this office and becomes part of the permanent record.
The office collects money owed to the court. Filing fees, court costs, fines, and restitution payments all come through the clerk's window. Staff track accounts and distribute funds according to law. If you have a payment due, this is where you handle it.
Beyond administrative tasks, the clerk's office serves the public. Anyone can visit and request to see court records. Staff help locate cases, explain procedures, and process copy requests. They provide information about fees and requirements but cannot give legal advice about what you should file or how to argue your case.
When cases are appealed, the clerk prepares the record for the appellate court. This involves gathering all documents, transcripts, and exhibits from the trial level and transmitting them to Montgomery. The clerk also manages jury selection, sending summons and organizing panels when trials are scheduled.
How to Access Court Records
Lowndes County court records are open to the public with limited exceptions. Several methods exist for getting the records you need.
Visit the Courthouse
The most thorough way to access court records is to visit the Lowndes County Courthouse in Hayneville. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains files for both current and archived cases. Walk in during business hours and tell staff what you are looking for.
If you have a case number, retrieval is quick. Without one, staff can search by party name or approximate date. Current cases are usually available immediately. Older files may be in storage and require notice to retrieve. Calling ahead helps if you need historical records.
Viewing costs nothing. Fees apply only for copies. Bring identification. Most civil and criminal records are fully public. Cases involving juveniles, sealed matters, or sensitive victim information may have restrictions.
Search Online
Alabama's Alacourt Access portal at pa.alacourt.com provides electronic access to court records statewide. Lowndes County records are included. Register for a free account and search by name, case number, or other criteria.
Basic case information appears in search results. More detailed documents may require payment to view or download. Not every record has been scanned into the system, especially older cases. For complete files, you may need to contact the clerk directly.
Alacourt covers Circuit Court, District Court, and some municipal courts. The system is useful for quick searches and verifying case status without traveling to Hayneville.
By Mail
Written requests for records can be sent to the Circuit Clerk. Include party names, case numbers if available, approximate dates, and what documents you need. Specify regular or certified copies. Enclose payment or request a fee estimate first.
Allow one to two weeks for processing. The clerk locates records, makes copies, and mails them once payment is received. If records are not found, you will be notified. Search fees are typically non-refundable.
Through an Attorney
If you have legal representation, your attorney can access records through the AlaFile system used by Alabama courts. Attorneys representing parties in a case can view and download documents electronically. They can also submit record requests to the clerk on your behalf.
Types of Court Records
Lowndes County courts handle different kinds of cases, each producing distinct types of records. The court level determines jurisdiction over specific matters.
Circuit Court
Circuit Court serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits exceeding $20,000, and all domestic relations matters including divorce, custody, and support. Appeals from District Court come to Circuit Court as well.
Circuit Court files are often extensive. Criminal cases include indictments, warrants, bond documents, plea agreements, trial records, and sentencing orders. Civil cases have complaints, answers, motions, discovery, and judgments. Family files contain petitions, financial statements, parenting plans, and detailed court orders.
District Court
District Court handles smaller matters. Misdemeanor crimes, traffic tickets, civil cases under $20,000, small claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases all go through District Court. Files tend to be simpler than Circuit Court records.
Traffic cases usually contain just the citation and disposition. Small claims have the complaint, any response, and the judge's ruling. More contested matters generate additional documents but District Court files remain less complex overall.
Criminal Records
Criminal court records track prosecutions from arrest through final outcome. They show charges filed, how the defendant responded, trial results if any, and sentences imposed. Probation terms, violations, and post-conviction matters also appear in these records.
Background checks commonly involve criminal court record searches. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies want to know about past convictions. Records show whether cases resulted in conviction, dismissal, or acquittal. Expunged records no longer appear.
Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases go through Circuit Court. Divorce, custody, visitation, child support, and alimony matters all create family court records. Files include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and court orders.
Family records are generally public but portions may be restricted. Information involving children, abuse victims, or sealed proceedings may not be accessible. Check with the clerk about availability for specific cases.
Civil Records
Civil court records document lawsuits between individuals, businesses, or organizations. Contract disputes, injury claims, debt collection, and property fights all generate civil files. Records show pleadings, any discovery, settlements, and judgments.
Civil judgments can become liens against property. Title companies and creditors search civil records to identify existing judgments before transactions or credit decisions.
Court Record Fees
Lowndes County follows state fee schedules for court records. Costs depend on what you request and how much staff work is involved.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages over 20 | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Computerized search | $10.00 |
| Paper/archived search | $25.00 |
Pay at the clerk's office by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, include payment or ask for the amount before processing. Records are provided once payment is received.
Certified copies have the clerk's seal and signature confirming authenticity. Regular copies work for personal reference. Use certified copies for official purposes like court filings or license applications.
Lowndes County Court System
Below is an image of the Alacourt portal where Lowndes County court records can be searched electronically.
Alacourt is maintained by Alabama's Administrative Office of Courts. It provides statewide access to court records, including those from Lowndes County's Circuit and District courts.
Legal Help
Several resources exist for Lowndes County residents needing legal assistance. Legal Services Alabama at 866-456-4995 provides free civil legal help to income-eligible individuals. They assist with family law, housing, consumer problems, and government benefits.
Criminal defendants who cannot afford attorneys and face possible jail time may have counsel appointed. Tell the judge at your first appearance that you need a public defender. The clerk can explain how appointment works.
Self-represented parties can find court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. The Administrative Office of Courts provides standardized forms for common matters like divorce, small claims, and name changes. Instructions accompany the forms but cannot substitute for legal advice.
The Alabama State Bar's lawyer referral service helps connect people with attorneys. The 2nd Judicial Circuit has local rules applicable in Lowndes, Butler, and Crenshaw counties. Review these before filing cases. The clerk can provide copies.
Nearby Counties
Lowndes County is in central Alabama. Several counties share borders. Cases involving events or people near county lines may have records in more than one place.
Major Cities Nearby
Lowndes County has no large cities. Montgomery, the state capital and a city of over 200,000 people, is located in neighboring Montgomery County to the north. Court records for events occurring in Montgomery are handled by Montgomery County, not Lowndes.