Court records in Mobile County, Alabama, are maintained by the clerks of the Circuit and District Courts and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court clerk's office. MobileALCourt.us will help you find public information about county court records. Additional resources include the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit portal, the Probate Court records search system, and the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.
Mobile Court System Overview
Mobile County is part of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. This circuit serves exclusively Mobile County — one of the most populous counties in the state. The Circuit Court handles serious criminal cases, civil claims for significant amounts, and appeals from the District Court. The District Court deals with minor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil claims with a lower claim amount. The Probate Court operates separately and is responsible for inheritance cases, guardianship, and public records.
Courts Serving Mobile
Residents of Mobile County are served by several courts at the state and federal levels.
Circuit Court
Circuit Court — Criminal Division
District Court — Criminal Division
Domestic Relations Division
Probate Court
U.S. District Court — Southern District of Alabama
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Alabama
Additionally, municipal courts within the county, including the city of Mobile and other municipalities, handle violations of city ordinances and minor offenses.
What Types of Cases Mobile Courts Hear
Mobile County courts hear a wide range of cases. Here is a general list:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations, including DUI
- Civil claims of various scales
- Small claims
- Family law: divorce, child custody, alimony
- Probate matters, guardianship, and conservatorship
- Juvenile and child protection cases
- Adoption
A detailed distribution by courts is provided in the following sections.
District Court Cases in Mobile
The District Court in Mobile County is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles cases of minor offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Civil claims with a claim amount up to $20,000 are also heard by this court. Preliminary hearings in felony cases are conducted here before the case is transferred to the Circuit Court. The District Court judge conducts arrests, sets bail, and hears motions at the initial stages of criminal proceedings. Cases are distributed among judges according to the county's internal rules.
Magistrate Court Cases in Mobile
In Alabama, District Court judges perform functions that in some other states are assigned to magistrates. They handle:
- Minor offenses and infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $20,000
- Small claims — up to $6,000
- Traffic violations
- DUI cases — initial hearings and arrests
The jurisdiction limit for civil cases in the Alabama District Court is $20,000, and for small claims, it is $6,000 (according to the Alabama Code). Due to the high volume of cases in Mobile County, individual judges may specialize in certain categories — for example, traffic cases or DUI.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Mobile
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, alimony, paternity determination, and protective orders are handled by the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court. Divorce certificates can also be obtained through the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Probate and Guardianship
The Mobile County Probate Court handles inheritance matters, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust issues. This court also maintains a substantial archive of public records, including historical documents dating back to the 1830s.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile cases — including proceedings under the Juvenile Justice Act and child protection cases — are handled in a separate division. Juvenile case records are confidential under Alabama law.
How Cases Move Through the Mobile Court System
- Case Initiation: a criminal complaint, civil claim, or petition is filed with the appropriate court. Electronic filing is available through the AlaFile system.
- Case Assignment: the case is assigned to a specific judge according to the county's internal rules.
- Initial Hearings: in criminal cases, this is the arraignment; in civil cases, a preliminary planning conference.
- Pretrial Stage: motions, discovery, plea negotiations, or settlement discussions.
- Trial or Resolution: the case concludes with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: sentencing in criminal cases, filing an appeal, enforcement of judgment in civil cases.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Mobile
The administrative management of the courts in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit is carried out through the office of the circuit's administrative judge. Main office contact information:
Local court rules and court forms are available on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit forms page. Under Alabama law, most court records are public, but there are exceptions: juvenile cases, sealed records, and some family cases have restricted access. To obtain public records, you can contact the court clerk's office directly or use the online portal Alacourt.gov, which offers access to state trial court records on a "one case at a time" basis.
Hearings are generally open to the public and are held in person at Government Plaza. For information on remote participation, you should contact the clerk's office of the respective court division.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Mobile
- Court Case Search: Alacourt.gov provides on-demand access to Alabama trial court records — one case at a time.
- Probate Court Records Search: The Probate Court online records search system uses advanced search technology for documents, including deeds, wills, and other records. The county official records search system is also available.
- Court Forms: Self-filing forms and templates are available on the Circuit Court forms page.
- Warrant Search: The Mobile County Sheriff's Office allows you to check for warrants issued by county courts.
- Inmate Information: The sheriff's website provides a list of persons in custody and 24-hour booking information.
- Criminal History Check: The ALEA Criminal Records Identification Unit maintains a fingerprint database of all arrestees in the state. For an official check, you can submit a request through the Alabama Background Check.
- Sex Offender Registry: Available through ALEA online services.
- Fugitive Search: The Alabama Fugitive Search provides information on wanted persons.
- Property and Tax Records: The Mobile County Revenue Commission maintains property appraisal and tax records. State land records are available through the Secretary of State's Office.
- County Online Services: The Mobile County portal consolidates access to licenses, Probate Court records, and tax payments.