How Does The Alabama Circuit Court Work?

The Alabama judicial system is divided into 41 circuits. Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts of general jurisdiction, and they are also the only jury trial courts in the Alabama court system.

Alabama Circuit Courts are the highest courts at the county level, and they have general superintendence over the other trial courts in the state’s judicial system. These Courts have general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases heard in Alabama, and they typically handle cases that fall out of the jurisdiction of the other trial courts. These types of cases include:

• All felony cases and some misdemeanor or ordinance violations that are included within a felony charge or are part of the same incident as a felony charge (Circuit Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts in felony cases where a guilty plea is entered. This only happens in felony cases that are not punishable by a death sentence)
• Civil cases where the matter in controversy is more than $10,000. This amount does not include interest and costs (Circuit Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over these types of cases)
• Civil cases where the matter in controversy is more than $3,000, excluding interest and costs (Circuit Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts over these types of cases)
• Domestic relations cases
• Juvenile cases; (Alabama Circuit Courts maintain a separate docket for these cases. In some counties, these dockets are referred to as Juvenile Courts or Family Courts. Some Family Courts may also hear paternity, child custody, and child support cases)

In addition to this, Circuit Courts also hear appeals from decisions rendered in the state’s District, Probate and Municipal Courts.

There are 146 Circuit Court judges spread out across 41 circuits in the Alabama court system. To be eligible to become an Alabama Circuit Court judge, the legal practitioner must be licensed to practice by the Alabama State Bar Association, and the bar association of another state where applicable, for a combined total of at least five years.

Also, prospective Circuit Court judges must have lived in the circuit for at least 12 months before the elections or appointment. Judges are elected in partisan elections to a six-year term. When there is a vacancy, the position is filled by a qualified individual appointed by the state governor. Vacancies may occur due to the resignation, removal from office, retirement, or death of a Circuit Court judge. Judges in the state of Alabama are not allowed to seek re-election once they turn 70.

In Alabama Circuit Courts, the average age at disposition for cases is 164 days. Persons who wish to access Alabama Circuit Court records can contact the Circuit Clerk’s office in the county where the court case was filed and heard. Requesters are typically required to pay a nominal fee for each request.

Circuit Courts can be found at the following locations:

Autauga County Circuit Court
134 N Court St
Suite 114
Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358–6801

Baldwin County Circuit Court
312 Courthouse Square
Suite 10
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 937–9561

Baldwin County Circuit Court - Fairhope Satellite Courthouse
1100 Fairhope Ave
Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone: (251) 928–3002

Baldwin County Circuit Court - Foley Satellite Courthouse
201 E Section Ave
Foley, AL 36535
Phone: (251) 943–5061

Barbour County Circuit Court 1
1 Court Square
P.O. Box 219
Clayton, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 775–8366

Barbour County Circuit Court 2
303 E Broad St
Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687–1500

Bibb County Circuit Court
35 Court Square E
P.O. Box 185
Centreville, AL 35042
Phone: (205) 926–3103

Blount County Circuit Court

Blount County Courthouse
220 2nd Ave E
Suite 208,
Oneonta, AL 35121
Phone: (205) 625–4153

Bullock County Circuit Court
217 N Prairie St
P.O. Box 230
Union Springs, AL 36089
Phone: (334) 738–2280

Butler County Circuit Court
700 Court Square
P.O. Box 236
Greenville, AL 36037
Phone: (334) 382–7166

Calhoun County Circuit Court
25 W 11th St
Anniston, AL 36201
Phone: (256) 231–1750

Chambers County Circuit Court
2 S La Fayette St
La Fayette, AL 36862
Phone: (334) 864–4348

Chambers County Circuit Court - Lanett Annex
610 S Gilmer Ave
Lanett, AL 36863
Phone: (334) 644–7068

Cherokee County Circuit Court

Cherokee County Courthouse
100 Main St
Suite 203
Centre, AL 35960
Phone: (256) 927–3637

Chilton County Circuit Court
500 2nd Ave N
P.O. Box 1946
Clanton, AL 35046
Phone: (205) 755–4275

Choctaw County Circuit Court
117 S Mulberry St
P.O. Box 428
Butler, AL 36904
Phone: (205) 459–2155

Clarke County Circuit Court

Clarke County Courthouse
114 Court St
P.O. Box 921
Grove Hill, AL 36451
Phone: (251) 275–3363

Clay County Circuit Court

Clay County Courthouse
25 Court Square
P.O. Box 816
Ashland, AL 36251
Phone: (256) 354–7926

Cleburne County Circuit Court

Cleburne County Courthouse
120 Vickery St
Suite 202
Heflin, AL 36264
Phone: (256) 463–2651

Coffee County Circuit Court - Elba
230 Court Ave
Elba, AL 36323
Phone: (334) 897–2954

Coffee County Circuit Court - Enterprise
101 S Edwards Street
Enterprise, AL 36330
Phone: (334) 347–2519

Colbert County Circuit Court

Colbert County Courthouse
201 N Main Street
P.O. Box 740370
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Phone: (256) 314–5854

Conecuh County Circuit Court
111 Court Street
Suite 203
Evergreen, AL 36401
Phone: (251) 578–2066

Coosa County Circuit Court
100 Main Street
P.O. Box 98
Rockford, AL 35136
Phone: (256) 377–4988

Covington County Circuit Court

Covington County Courthouse
1-K N Court Square
Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 428–2520

Crenshaw County Circuit Court

Crenshaw County Courthouse
29 S Glenwood Avenue
P.O. Box 167
Luverne, AL 36049
Phone: (334) 335–6575

Cullman County Circuit Court

Cullman County Courthouse
500 2nd Avenue SW
Suite 303
Cullman, AL 35055
Phone: (256) 775–4654

Dale County Circuit Court

Dale County Courthouse
100 E Court Square
P.O. Box 1350
Ozark, AL 36361
Phone: (334) 774–5003

Dallas County Circuit Court

Dallas County Courthouse
105 Lauderdale Street
P.O. Box 327
Selma, AL 36702
Phone: (334) 874–2523

DeKalb County Circuit Court

DeKalb County Courthouse
300 Grand Avenue S
Suite 200,
P.O. Box 681149
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Phone: (256) 845–8525

Elmore County Circuit Court

Elmore County Judicial Complex
8935 US Highway 231
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone: (334) 567–1156

Escambia Circuit Court

Escambia County Courthouse
314 Belleville Avenue
P.O. Box 856
Brewton, AL 36427
Phone: (251) 867–0225

Etowah County Circuit Court

Etowah County Courthouse
801 Forrest Avenue
Suite 202
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 549–2150

Fayette County Circuit Court

Fayette County Courthouse
113 Temple Avenue N
P.O. Box 509
Fayette, AL 35555
Phone: (205) 932–4617

Franklin County Circuit Court

Franklin County Courthouse
410 N Jackson Avenue
P.O. Box 160
Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332–8861

Geneva County Circuit Court

Geneva County Courthouse
200 N Commerce Street
P.O. Box 86
Geneva, AL 36340
Phone: (334) 684–5620

Greene County Circuit Court

Greene County Courthouse
400 Morrow Avenue
P.O. Box 307
Eutaw, AL 35462
Phone: (205) 372–3598

Hale County Circuit Court

Hale County Courthouse
1001 Main Street
P.O. Box 99
Greensboro, AL 36744
Phone: (334) 624–4334

Henry County Circuit Court

Henry County Courthouse
101 Court Square
Suite J
Abbeville, AL 36310
Phone: (334) 585–2753

Houston County Circuit Court

Houston County Courthouse
114 N Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677–4805

Jackson County Circuit Court

Jackson County Courthouse
102 E Laurel Street
P.O. Box 397
Scottsboro, AL 35768
Phone: (256) 574–9320

Jefferson County Circuit Court 1

Jefferson County Courthouse
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325–5355

(Civil cases, including small claims, are heard at this location)

Jefferson County Circuit Court 2

Jefferson County Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325–5285

(Criminal cases, including traffic cases, are heard at this location)

Jefferson County Circuit Court 3

2124 7th Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325–5400

(Domestic relations cases are heard at this location)

Jefferson County Circuit Court 4

Bessemer Justice Center
1851 2nd Avenue N
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 497–8510

(Criminal, civil, domestic relations, small claims, and traffic cases are heard at this location)

Jefferson County Family Court 1

1801 3rd Avenue N
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 744–3500

(Child support and juvenile cases are heard at this location)

Jefferson County Family Court 2

120 2nd Court N
Birmingham, AL 35204
Phone: (205) 325–5491

(Child support and juvenile cases are heard at this location)

Lamar County Circuit Court

Lamar County Courthouse
330 1st Street NE
P.O. Box 434
Vernon, AL 35592
Phone: (205) 695–7193

Lauderdale County Circuit Court

Lauderdale County Courthouse
200 S Court Street
P.O. Box 776
Florence, AL 35631
Phone: (256) 760–5728

Lawrence County Circuit Court

Lawrence County Judicial and Administrative Annex
14451 Market Street
P.O. Box 249
Moulton, AL 35650
Phone: (256) 974–2438

Lee County Circuit Court

T. K. Davis Justice Center Complex
2311 Gateway Drive
Suite 104
Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 749–7141

Limestone County Circuit Court

Limestone County Courthouse
200 W Washington Street
Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233–6406

Lowndes Circuit Court

Lowndes County Courthouse
1 S Washington Street
P.O. Box 876
Hayneville, AL 36040
Phone: (334) 548–2252

Macon County Circuit Court

101 E Rosa Parks Avenue
Tuskegee, AL 36083
Phone: (334) 724–2614

Madison County Circuit Court

Madison County Courthouse
100 North Side Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 532–3380

Marengo County Circuit Court

Marengo County Courthouse
101 E Coats Avenue
Linden, AL 36748
Phone: (334) 295–2219

Marion County Circuit Court

Marion County Courthouse
132 Military Street S
P.O. Box 1595
Hamilton, AL 35570
Phone: (205) 921–1943

Marshall County Circuit Court 1

Marshall County Courthouse
424 Blount Avenue
Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone: (256) 571–7785

Marshall County Circuit Court 2

Marshall County Courthouse
200 W Main Street
Albertville, AL 35950
Phone: (256) 878–4521

Mobile County Circuit Court

Government Plaza
205 Government Street
Suite 913
Mobile, AL 36644
Phone: (251) 574–8806

Mobile County Family Court

Strickland Youth Facility
2315 Costarides Street
Mobile, AL 36617
Phone: (251) 574–1450

(This court handles juvenile matters)

Montgomery County Circuit Court

Montgomery County Courthouse
251 S Lawrence Street
P.O. Box 1667
Montgomery, AL 36102
Phone: (334) 832–1260

Montgomery County Circuit Court - Juvenile

Montgomery County Youth Facility
1111 Air Base Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36108
Phone: (334) 261–4100

Monroe County Circuit Court

Monroe County Courthouse
65 N Alabama Avenue
Suite 220
Monroeville, AL 36460
Phone: (251) 743–2283

Morgan County Circuit Court

Morgan County Courthouse
302 Lee Street NE
P.O. Box 668
Decatur, AL 35602
Phone: (256) 351–4643 (Civil)
Phone: (256) 351–4644 (Criminal/Traffic)
Phone: (256) 351–4790 (Family)

Perry County Circuit Court

Perry County Courthouse
300 Washington Street
P.O. Box 505
Marion, AL 36756
Phone: (334) 683–6106

Pickens County Circuit Court

Pickens County Courthouse
20 Phoenix Avenue
P.O. Box 418
Carrollton, AL 35447
Phone: (205) 367–2050

Pike County Circuit Court

Pike County Courthouse
120 W Church Street
Troy, AL 36081
Phone: (334) 566–5113

Randolph County Circuit Court

Randolph County Courthouse
1 Main Street S
P.O. Box 328
Wedowee, AL 36278
Phone: (256) 357–4551

Russell County Circuit Court

Russell County Judicial Center
501 14th Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone: (334) 298–6028

Shelby County Circuit Court

Shelby County Courthouse
112 N Main Street
P.O. Box 1810
Columbiana, AL 35051
Phone: (205) 669–3760

St. Clair County Circuit Court 1

St. Clair County Courthouse
100 6th Avenue
Suite 400
Ashville, AL 35953
Phone: (205) 594–2184

St. Clair County Circuit Court 2

1815 Cogswell Avenue
Pell City, AL 35125
Phone: (205) 338–2511

Sumter County Circuit Court

Sumter County Courthouse
P.O. Box 936
Livingston, AL 35470
Phone: (205) 652–2291

Talladega County Circuit Court 1

400 N Norton Avenue
P.O. Box 183
Sylacauga, AL 35150
Phone: (256) 761–2103 ext. 1208

Talladega County Circuit Court 2

148 East Street N
P.O. Box 6137
Talladega, AL 35161
Phone: (256) 761–2103 ext. 1208

Tallapoosa County Circuit Court 1

Tallapoosa County Courthouse
1 Court Square
P.O. Box 189
Alexander City, AL 35011
Phone: (256) 234–4361

Tallapoosa County Circuit Court 2

Tallapoosa County Courthouse
125 N Broadnax Street
Dadeville, AL 36853
Phone: (256) 825–1098

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court

Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 349–3870 ext. 259

Walker County Circuit Court

1801 3rd Avenue S
P.O. Box 1389
Jasper, AL 35502
Phone: (205) 384–7268

Washington County Circuit Court

Washington County Courthouse
1 Court Street
P.O. Box 548
Chatom, AL 36518
Phone: (251) 847–2239

Wilcox County Circuit Court

Wilcox County Courthouse Annex
12 Water Street
P.O. Box 608
Camden, AL 36726
Phone: (334) 682–4126

Winston County Circuit Court

Winston County Courthouse Annex
P.O. Box 309
Double Springs, AL 35553
Phone: (205) 489–5533