Search Choctaw County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Choctaw County are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Butler. Butler is the county seat. The county is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which also includes Clarke and Washington counties. All civil lawsuits filed here go through this office. That includes contract disputes, property claims, and debt collection cases. The Circuit Clerk handles case filing, keeps court files, and issues certified copies. You can search records online through Alacourt. You can also visit the clerk's office or send a request by mail. Most records are public. Anyone can ask for them, though some may be sealed by court order.

Choctaw County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Choctaw County. Beverly Patterson serves as Circuit Clerk. The office handles new case filings and keeps existing court files. Staff process motions and orders. They also provide copies of documents to the public. If you need a civil court record from Choctaw County, this is where you start. The office is the main point of contact for anyone looking to access case files.

The clerk's office is in the Choctaw County Courthouse in downtown Butler. The courthouse sits on Mulberry Avenue. This road runs through the center of town. Parking is on nearby streets and in a small lot next to the building. The office is open on weekdays during normal business hours.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Choctaw County civil court records are online through the statewide Alacourt system. All 67 Alabama counties use this same system. That makes it easy to search records in more than one county if you need to. The system is run by the state and works the same way no matter which county you are looking at.

Choctaw County Alacourt Portal

The Choctaw County Alacourt portal gives you online access to civil court records. You can search by party name or by case number. To see full case details and documents, you need to make an account and pay a fee. District court lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court lookups cost $29.99.

What You Can Find Online

The Alacourt system has case info like party names, filing dates, and case types. You can also find hearing dates and final outcomes. The system shows what motions have been filed. It shows what orders the court has entered. You can see if a judgment has been issued. Some actual documents like complaints and court orders may also be viewable. This depends on how the case was filed.

In-Person Record Requests

If you want to search records in person, go to the Circuit Clerk's office in Butler. The office is open on weekdays. Bring valid ID. Give the clerk as much info as you have about the case. This could be party names. It could be dates when the case was filed. It could be the type of dispute. Staff can search the system and help you find records. Standard copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. They may take a bit longer to prepare.

Mail Requests

You can also ask for records by mail. Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at the address listed above. Include the full names of the parties. Add the filing date if you know it. Note the type of case (civil, small claims, etc.). Include your return address. Add a check or money order for fees. Call ahead to ask about current fee amounts. Response times vary. Most take 5 to 10 business days once the office gets your request.

Types of Civil Cases in Choctaw County

Choctaw County courts handle civil cases at different levels. It depends on how much money is at stake. The court you file in matters. It affects how the case moves forward. Picking the right court is an important first step.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit court handles civil lawsuits where more than $20,000 is at stake. This is set out in Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These are the bigger cases. Personal injury claims from car wrecks often end up here. So do slip and fall cases. Major contract disputes and business lawsuits are filed here too. The circuit court also handles equity matters like injunctions. Quiet title actions go here no matter the dollar amount.

District Court Civil Cases

For civil disputes of $20,000 or less, district court has power under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common cases here include debt collection. Landlord-tenant disputes are common too. So are property damage claims and smaller contract fights. The process moves faster than circuit court. The rules are a bit simpler as well.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court handles civil disputes under $6,000. This is part of the district court. It uses a less formal process. The process is meant for people without lawyers. You can file a small claims case for unpaid debts. You can also file for security deposit disputes. Minor property damage claims work here. So do cases where goods or services were never delivered. Filing fees are lower. The judge usually makes a call the same day as the hearing.

First Judicial Circuit

Choctaw County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. Alabama has 41 circuits in all. The 1st Circuit covers three counties in the southwest part of the state: Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington. Circuit judges rotate among these three counties. They hear cases in each one on a set schedule.

This means the same judges who hear cases in Butler also hear cases in Grove Hill and Chatom. Grove Hill is in Clarke County. Chatom is in Washington County. For most people, this does not change how they get court records. Records stay in the county where the case was filed. But if you are tracking a party who does business across the circuit, you may need to search records in more than one county.

The 1st Judicial Circuit has a long history. It is one of the first circuits made when Alabama set up its court system. The circuit covers a large area. But it has a small population. The caseload is light compared to urban circuits like Jefferson County or Mobile County.

Legal Framework for Court Records

Your right to access civil court records in Choctaw County comes from Alabama law. Several statutes and rules govern what records are public, how to get them, and what may be kept confidential.

Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every Alabama citizen has the right to look at and copy public records. The law says to read this right broadly. It favors disclosure. When someone won't release a record, the burden is on them to prove why. They must show an exemption applies. Court records are generally public under this law.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect on January 1, 2025. These rules spell out what court records are open. They also say what must stay private. Rule 104(A) says court records are open unless a law or court order says otherwise. The rules list info that should be blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. It also includes details about minors.

Sealed and Confidential Records

Some civil records in Choctaw County may not be open to the public. Judges can seal records in certain cases. This happens when a settlement has a privacy clause and both sides ask for sealing. Cases with trade secrets may have protective orders. These limit what the public can see. Mental health records are private by law. So are some records that involve juveniles.

Time Limits for Filing Civil Cases

Alabama law sets deadlines for filing civil lawsuits. Miss the deadline and you lose the right to sue. These deadlines are called statutes of limitations. They vary based on the type of claim. Knowing the right deadline for your case is key.

Six-Year Deadline

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file a lawsuit based on a written contract. This covers breach of contract claims where there was a signed agreement. Actions to recover money owed under a loan also fall under this six-year rule.

Two-Year Deadline

Most personal injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years. This is set out in Alabama Code Section 6-2-38. If you are hurt in a car accident, slip and fall, or other incident caused by someone else's negligence, you have two years from the date of injury to file suit. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year limit, running from the date of death.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims have special rules under Alabama Code Section 6-5-482. The basic deadline is two years from the act or omission that caused harm. But there is also a discovery rule that can extend the deadline in some cases. Even with the discovery rule, there is an absolute four-year statute of repose. After four years, you cannot bring a medical malpractice claim no matter when you discovered the injury.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records sometimes connect to records kept by other offices. Depending on what you are researching, these additional sources may be helpful.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment for money, they can record it as a lien against the losing party's real estate. These liens are recorded with the Choctaw County Probate Judge, not the Circuit Clerk. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to any real property the debtor owns in the county where the lien is recorded. If you are checking whether someone has outstanding judgments, search both the court records and the property records.

Probate Court Records

The Choctaw County Probate Court handles estates, wills, and guardianships. These are not civil court cases in the traditional sense, but they sometimes overlap. For example, a dispute over an estate might lead to civil litigation. The Probate Judge also handles property deed recordings and some business filings.

Federal Court Records

Choctaw County is in the Southern District of Alabama for federal court purposes. Cases involving federal law, diversity of citizenship (parties from different states with more than $75,000 at stake), or constitutional claims are filed in federal court instead of state court. Federal civil records are available through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter in Choctaw County, several organizations offer free or low-cost legal services.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer problems, and public benefits. The organization serves all 67 Alabama counties, including Choctaw. Call their statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help is a website with free self-help guides, court forms, and legal information. If you are handling a civil matter on your own, this site can help you understand the process. Topics cover small claims, landlord-tenant issues, debt collection defense, and more.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get connected with an attorney who handles your type of case. The initial consultation costs no more than $50 for 30 minutes. This is a good option if you do not qualify for free legal aid but still want to talk with a lawyer before deciding what to do.

South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

The South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program connects low-income residents with attorneys who donate their time. The program covers Mobile and surrounding counties, including parts of southwestern Alabama. Contact them at (251) 438-1102 for more information about eligibility and available help.

Search Civil Court Records

Use the search tool below to find civil court records from Choctaw County and other Alabama locations.

Cities and Towns in Choctaw County

Choctaw County includes several small municipalities. Butler is the county seat and the largest town. Civil court records for residents of all these communities are maintained at the county level by the Circuit Clerk in Butler. There are no cities in Choctaw County with populations over 100,000.

Other communities in Choctaw County include Gilbertown, Lisman, Needham, Pennington, Silas, and Toxey. Many county residents live in unincorporated areas outside any city limits. No matter where you live in the county, you access civil court records through the same Circuit Clerk office.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Choctaw County. Each has its own Circuit Clerk office that maintains civil court records for cases filed in that county.

Washington and Clarke counties are part of the same 1st Judicial Circuit as Choctaw County, so the same circuit judges hear cases in all three counties.