Criminal records in Mobile County, Alabama, are available through several channels. MobileALCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official court systems of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, and the court clerk's office—online, in person, or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Mobile
Start by determining what exactly you are looking for: a district court case or a circuit court criminal case. This will determine where to apply.
Online Search
- MobileALCourt.us — enter the person's first and last name to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- Alacourt.gov — the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts portal provides access to court records through the "Just One Look" system (on-demand, single case search).
- Warrant Search — the Mobile County Sheriff's warrant search tool shows active warrants issued by county courts.
- Who's in Jail — on the Who's in Jail page of the sheriff's office, you can check the current incarceration status of a specific person.
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Court Criminal Division accepts requests to view cases. Public access terminals are also available there.
Misdemeanor cases are handled by the District Court:
Mail Request
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, send a request to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). The Criminal Records Identification division maintains fingerprints and records of all arrests in the state. The request requires a completed form, fingerprints, and payment.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number — for an accurate search of a specific case
Search Mobile Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Alabama, criminal case numbers have a standard format consisting of several parts. The typical structure looks like this:
- County Prefix — a two-digit code identifying the county (for Mobile County, it's 33)
- Case Type — a letter code for the category: CC (Circuit Criminal — felonies), DC or DM (District Criminal/Misdemeanor — misdemeanors), TR (Traffic — traffic violations)
- Year — the last two digits of the year the case was opened
- Sequential Number — a unique number within the year and category
For example, a number like CC-2024-001234 indicates a circuit court criminal case opened in 2024. Searching by case number is the most accurate way to find the desired record, as it eliminates confusion with namesakes. Enter this number in the appropriate field on the court portal or provide it to the clerk when applying in person.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Mobile
Each criminal case in Mobile County contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each of them.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a section of the Alabama Code (e.g., §13A-8-3 — first-degree theft) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Violation/Infraction |
| Class | Felony class A, B, or C; Misdemeanor class A, B, or C — determines the range of punishment |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
In Mobile County criminal cases, the following hearings typically occur:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the charges are read to the defendant, and they plead guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to circuit court. Applies only to felonies.
- Pre-Trial Conference — the parties discuss a plea agreement or prepare for trial.
- Trial — the case is heard on its merits.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review Hearing — checks compliance with probation terms or other court requirements.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty (by jury verdict or plea agreement) |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted — the court did not establish guilt |
| Dismissed | The case is closed by the prosecutor or judge without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined further prosecution |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after a substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Mobile
Certified copies of criminal records are required for employment, licensing, immigration, and other official purposes. The method of obtaining them depends on the type of record.
District Court Records
Contact the Circuit Criminal Division or District Criminal Division. The clerk can issue a certified copy of a specific case.
What you need:
- Full name of the defendant and case number (if known)
- Valid photo ID
- Payment of copying and certification fees
Requests can be submitted in person at Government Plaza or sent by mail to the appropriate division.
State-Level Criminal History
ALEA conducts a background check through the Alabama Background Check. The process requires submitting fingerprints and completing the appropriate form. A person who intentionally obtains criminal information under false pretenses is subject to criminal liability under Alabama law.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Mobile
Fees depend on the specific service you request and through which agency.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 per page | Standard Alabama court clerk rate according to state code |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per document | In addition to the copying cost |
| Background check through ALEA (fingerprint-based) | $25.00 | State-level request processing fee |
| Search through "Just One Look" system (Alacourt.gov) | Fee per individual request | The specific amount is set by the Administrative Office of Courts |
Processing Times
- In-person request at the clerk's office — usually the same day or within a few business days, depending on volume.
- Mail request to the court — from one to three weeks.
- ALEA background check — usually from 5 to 15 business days after receiving fingerprints. Electronic submission speeds up the process.
Check current fees directly with the court clerk's office or on the ALEA website, as amounts may change. Payment is usually accepted by check, money order, or, in some cases, credit card.