Limestone County
Limestone County, which is part of the Huntsville-Decatur metropolitan statistical area, has a population of over 114,000. It takes its name from the creek that flows within its boundaries and spans an area of 559 square miles. The county seat was established in the city of Athens in 1819.
The Circuit Court, District Court, Municipal Courts, and Probate Court comprise the Limestone County court system. Owing to its general jurisdiction, the Limestone Circuit Court has the authority to hear all legal matters brought into a court under state law or the constitution. This court has exclusive original jurisdiction over domestic relations cases, civil lawsuits in which the amount in controversy exceeds $20,000, and felony criminal cases.
The Limestone District Court handles less complex cases, including misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims involving amounts up to $6,000, traffic cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. In the Probate Court, the probate judge serves the county residents by addressing cases related to adoptions, guardianship, estate administration, name changes, and involuntary commitments.
The Athens and Ardmore Municipal Courts focus on maintaining order within their municipalities. They determine ordinance violations, traffic violations, and misdemeanor cases.
Serving as the custodian of the records for the District and Circuit Courts, the Limestone County Circuit Clerk ensures that these documents are electronically imaged for public accessibility through the On-Demand Access to Trial Court Records resource. Members of the public can conduct a case or name search for a fee of $9.99 or view court document images for $5 for the first 20 pages, followed by 50 cents for each additional page. Limestone County court records can be searched and viewed online in the following categories:
- Criminal records
- Child support
- Civil records
- Domestic relations
- Traffic records
- Small claims records
