Lawrence County
Lawrence County was established in 1818, making it one of Alabama's oldest counties. It was named after James Lawrence, a naval hero during the War of 1812. The county has a population of approximately 33,116 residents occupying a land area of 690.7 square miles. The county seat is Moulton, which serves as the administrative and judicial hub of the county.
Lawrence County operates within Alabama's Unified Judicial System and comprises the Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction over felony cases, civil disputes over $10,000, domestic relations, and appeals from lower courts. It shares concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court over civil cases between $3,000 and $10,000 and accepts guilty pleas for felony cases excluding capital crimes. It also handles juvenile and family matters, including custody, paternity, and child support. The District Court has limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, small claims under $3,000, civil claims of up to $10,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. It also shares concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for juvenile matters. On the other hand, the Probate Court handles wills, estate administration, adoptions, name changes, involuntary mental health commitment cases, certain guardianships, and conservatorships. The Municipal Courts operating in cities and towns within the county, such as Moulton, handle municipal ordinance violations and certain criminal offenses.
Public court records in Lawrence County document activities and details of court proceedings. They contain information on case filings, dockets, judgments, and copies of court notices generated within the county. Lawrence County provides access to the following court records as per Alabama's Open Records Laws:
- Family Law Records
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Probate Records
However, records of confidential matters such as juvenile, adoption, and medical records are exempt from public disclosure.
Records can be searched using a name or case number through Alabama's Unified Judicial System portal, available to attorneys and subscribers, or via public access terminals at the courthouse. Alternatively, requesters can obtain records by mail or in person at the Clerk's Office located at:
14330 Court Street
Moulton, AL 35650
Phone: (256) 974-2432
Fees apply for obtaining physical or certified copies. Standard copy fees range from $0.50 to $1.00 per page, while certification costs $2.00 per document.
