Russell County
Russell County was established in 1832 along the Georgia border. It is located in eastern Alabama and named after Colonel Gilbert Russell, who fought in the Creek Indian War. The county spans approximately 641.2 square miles and has a population of around 58,849 residents. The county seat is Phenix City which is also its largest city and part of the Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Area.
The legal needs of Russell County's residents are served by the Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. It handles civil cases involving disputes exceeding $10,000 and felony criminal cases. Moreso, appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies are heard in the Circuit Court. The District Court handles limited jurisdiction cases, including misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, guilty pleas in felonies that do not include a death sentence, and civil disputes under $10,000. Small claims cases, typically disputes under $3,000, fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court. The Probate Court has original jurisdiction over matters such as estate administration, probate of wills, adoptions, name changes, guardianships, and conservatorships. It also handles involuntary mental health commitments and other specialized cases. On the other hand, Russell County has Municipal Courts in cities like Phenix City. These courts handle cases involving municipal ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and certain misdemeanors occurring within city limits.
Russell County Court records document legal information relating to the conduct of case trials, including docket entries, motions, pleadings, charges details, evidence, case transcripts, decrees, and judgments. These records promote transparency in the judicial system and also serve as background checks to verify a person's legal status. They are managed by the Circuit Court Clerk who makes them accessible to the public following Alabama Public Records Law. These records include:
- Criminal court records
- Civil court records
- Probate records
- Family records
Public court records can be accessed through the Alabama Judicial System Online portal, which allows searches by case number, party name, or filing date. Requesters may also fill out and submit completed application forms for civil court records. Alternatively, Individuals interested in public court documents can phone, or visit the Court Clerk at:
501 14th Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone: (334) 298-0516
Fees for obtaining copies of court records may apply, typically costing $5 for the first 20 pages and $0.5 each for additional copies.
