Dallas County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Dallas County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the county courthouse in Selma. That's the county seat. The 4th Judicial Circuit serves Dallas County. It handles all civil matters filed here. Dallas County sits in the heart of Alabama's Black Belt region along the Alabama River. The Circuit Clerk office takes in new filings, keeps case files, and gives the public access to court documents. Lynnethia Bennett is the current Circuit Clerk. You can search records online through Alacourt or visit the office in person. Staff can help find case files and give you copies of what you need. The county has a rich legal history tied to the civil rights movement. The courthouse has seen many big cases over the years.

County Information

Circuit Clerk Office

The Dallas County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in the county. This office keeps case files, takes in new filings, and gives copies to the public. Lynnethia Bennett is the Circuit Clerk. Her office handles records for both Circuit Court and District Court. The staff deals with a steady flow of cases. The workload is smaller than in bigger counties, but they stay busy. The office has been serving Dallas County for many years and knows the local court system well.

Physical Location

Online Access

Dallas County civil court records are online through the Dallas County Alacourt portal. This system lets you search by party name or case number. You need to create an account and pay a fee to see full case details. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. The online system has civil, domestic, and other case types. It is a good option if you want to search from home.

For appellate records, visit the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal which provides free access to cases appealed from Dallas County Circuit Court.

Civil Cases in Dallas County

The 4th Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters that come up in Dallas County. The circuit also covers Wilcox County. Which court hears your case depends on how much money is at stake. Bigger dollar amounts go to Circuit Court. Smaller claims go to District Court or Small Claims.

Circuit Court Civil Division

Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is over $20,000. This includes personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract claims, business disputes, and real estate cases. Circuit Court also handles equity matters like injunctions. Cases filed here tend to be more complex. They often take longer to resolve. In Dallas County, circuit civil cases often deal with property disputes, car wrecks, and contract matters.

District Court Civil Division

District Court handles civil cases up to $20,000. Common matters include debt collection, landlord-tenant disputes, property damage claims, and consumer complaints. The process is faster than Circuit Court. Most district civil cases wrap up in a few months. This court sees a lot of collection cases. Disputes between people are common here too. If your claim is under $20,000 but over $6,000, this is where you file.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is part of District Court. It handles disputes under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple and informal. Many people handle their own cases without a lawyer. Typical matters include security deposit disputes, minor contract issues, and small debt collection. Filing is easier. Hearings happen fast. For folks in Dallas County with a smaller dispute, this is often the best route.

Domestic Relations Cases

The court also handles family law civil matters. This includes divorces with property disputes, child custody cases, and spousal support. These are civil matters but they follow special rules. Domestic cases can get tricky when property is involved. Child custody adds another layer. If you have a family law case, talk to a lawyer if you can.

Legal Framework

Alabama law governs how civil court records are maintained and accessed in Dallas County. Several key statutes apply to public records requests and court filings.

Public Records Access

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, you have the right to look at and copy public records. This law leans in favor of public access. The government must prove why a record should not be released. This applies to civil court records held by the Circuit Clerk in Dallas County. Most records are open to the public.

Court Filing Requirements

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets the fee schedule for filing civil cases. This law applies across the state, including Dallas County. Filing fees help fund court work. Fees vary based on the type and value of the case. Expect to pay more for larger claims.

Court Jurisdiction

Circuit court jurisdiction is established under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. This statute grants circuit courts general jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $20,000. District court jurisdiction under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30 covers civil matters up to $20,000.

Court Record Privacy

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open unless a law or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of info that may be sealed or blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Most civil case documents stay public.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within time limits set by Alabama law. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, claims on written contracts have a six-year limit. Personal injury claims have a two-year limit per Section 6-2-38. These deadlines matter. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue.

How to Get Civil Court Records

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Dallas County Courthouse in Selma. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what case you need. Having a case number speeds things up. Staff can search by party names if you do not have one. You can view the file and ask for copies. Standard copies cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Most requests get filled the same day.

Online

Go to dallas.alacourt.gov and create an account. Search by party name or case number. Pay the fee to view case documents. You can print or save what you find. The online system is up 24 hours a day. This is handy if you cannot visit during office hours. Probably the fastest way to get records if you know what case you need.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 327, Selma, AL 36702. Include the names of all parties. Add the date range and case type. Send a check or money order made out to Dallas County Circuit Clerk. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply. Response time is usually 5 to 10 business days. It can vary based on how busy the office is.

What Information You Need

To search effectively, gather as much of this information as you can: full names of parties involved, the approximate date the case was filed, the type of case (small claims, civil, domestic), and the case number if you have it. The more details you provide, the faster staff can locate your records. Even partial information helps narrow things down.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to records held by other agencies. These sources can provide additional information about parties or related matters in Dallas County.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can file it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens go through the Dallas County Probate Judge. Searching property records can show judgments that have been filed. The Probate office is in the Dallas County Courthouse in Selma. It is on the same block as the Circuit Clerk office.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases fall under federal jurisdiction. Dallas County is in the Southern District of Alabama. The federal courthouse for the Selma area is in Mobile. Federal civil records are on PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges $0.10 per page viewed. Diversity cases and federal matters get filed in federal court, not state court.

Bankruptcy Records

If a party to a civil case files for bankruptcy, it can change things. Bankruptcy records are federal records on PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama handles Dallas County cases. A bankruptcy filing can stop collection efforts. It can also hold up pending lawsuits until the bankruptcy is resolved.

Alabama Secretary of State

For civil cases involving businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains business entity records including registered agent information. This can be useful for service of process or locating parties to a lawsuit.

Legal Assistance

Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to Dallas County residents dealing with civil court matters. If you cannot afford an attorney, these resources may help.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help across the state. They serve people who meet income rules. Call 1-866-456-4995 to start. They handle housing, family, consumer, and benefits cases. This group has helped low-income Alabamians for decades.

Alabama State Bar Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. For $50 or less you get a 30-minute consultation. This can help you understand your options if you need to file or respond to a civil case. The service operates Monday through Friday.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help offers free legal information, court forms, and guides for handling civil matters without a lawyer. The site covers common issues like debt, housing, and family law. It is a good starting point if you want to learn about the process before deciding whether to hire an attorney.

Pro Bono Programs

Some attorneys in the Selma area volunteer their time through pro bono programs. Contact the Circuit Clerk office or Legal Services Alabama to ask about available pro bono assistance in Dallas County. Availability varies and depends on volunteer attorney participation.

Cities in Dallas County

Dallas County includes Selma as the county seat and several smaller communities. Civil court records for residents throughout the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office in Selma.

Selma is the largest city in Dallas County with a population of around 17,000. Other communities include Orrville and Valley Grande. None of the cities in Dallas County exceed 100,000 population. The nearest major city is Montgomery, located about 50 miles east in Montgomery County. Residents who need to travel to a larger city for legal resources often head to Montgomery.

Nearby Counties

Dallas County borders seven other Alabama counties. If you need records from a case filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's Circuit Clerk. Each county maintains its own records.