Find Civil Court Records in Franklin County

Civil court records in Franklin County track lawsuits, debt claims, and property disputes. Other legal matters filed in the 34th Judicial Circuit are kept here too. The Circuit Clerk in Russellville maintains all civil case documents. The office offers public access to these files. Franklin County operates its own circuit, separate from neighboring counties. All local civil matters stay within the county courthouse. Teresa Lewey serves as Circuit Clerk. She handles record requests, new filings, and certified copies. You can look up records online using the Alacourt system, visit the clerk office, or mail in your request. Most civil records are open to the public unless a judge has sealed them or state privacy rules apply.

Franklin County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Franklin County. This office handles new case filings. Staff keep existing files up to date and give copies to the public. Teresa Lewey currently serves as Circuit Clerk. Her office is in the Franklin County Courthouse on North Jackson Avenue in downtown Russellville. The building is easy to find in the center of town.

When you need civil court records, the Circuit Clerk is where you start. Staff can help you search for cases by party name or case number. They take both walk-in requests and mail requests. If you need certified copies, plan to pay the fee. You may have to wait for processing. Standard copies are usually ready the same day you ask for them.

The clerk office also handles new civil case filings. If you want to sue someone, this is the office that takes your paperwork. The same is true if you need to respond to a lawsuit. Staff can tell you what forms you need. They cannot give legal advice though. For legal help, you will need to talk to a lawyer. You can also use one of the free legal aid services that serve the area.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Franklin County offers online access to civil court records through the statewide Alacourt system. This is the main way to search records without going to the courthouse. You can use it from home or anywhere with internet access. It saves time and works well for basic lookups.

Alacourt Public Access

The Franklin County Alacourt portal lets you search civil court records by party name or case number. You need to make an account to see full case details. District court cases cost $19.99 to access. Circuit court cases run $29.99. The system has both active cases and older records that have been scanned in.

Alacourt shows basic case info at no charge. This includes party names, case numbers, and filing dates. To see the actual documents, you have to pay. Full case histories cost money too. You can pay on the website with a credit or debit card. The fee is per case, not a subscription.

What You Can Find Online

The online system holds civil complaints, answers, motions, court orders, and judgments. Some older records might only exist on paper at the courthouse. Records sealed by court order will not show up in public searches. Sensitive info like Social Security numbers gets redacted. Birth dates for minors are hidden too. If you cannot find what you need online, call or visit the clerk office.

In-Person Record Requests

Walk-in requests are welcome during regular hours at the Franklin County Courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID. Bring as much case info as you have too. Party names, rough dates, and case type all help narrow the search. The clerk staff will help you find what you need. Most standard copies can be made while you wait. Plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes for a typical request.

Mail Requests

To request records by mail, send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 410 N Jackson Ave, Russellville, AL 35653. Include all the case details you know. Add your contact info and a check or money order for copy fees. The clerk office will mail you the documents. They will contact you if they need more info or payment first.

Types of Civil Cases in Franklin County

Franklin County courts handle many kinds of civil disputes. The case type determines which court hears it and what rules apply.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30, circuit court has power over civil actions where the amount at stake is more than $20,000. This includes contract disputes and personal injury lawsuits. Medical malpractice claims and big property fights go here too. Circuit court also has sole power over equity matters. These include injunctions and quiet title actions. Equity cases do not have a dollar limit to meet.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil matters up to $20,000 as laid out in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Typical cases include debt collection and landlord versus tenant disputes. Smaller contract claims go here too. So does property damage under the limit. The process tends to move faster than circuit court. There is less paperwork involved.

Small Claims

Small claims cases under $6,000 are heard through district court under Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The idea is to keep things simple and cheap. You can hire a lawyer if you want. But you do not have to. Many people handle their own small claims cases. No legal help is needed for most of these.

Domestic Relations Cases

Divorce, custody, and family law cases follow their own set of rules. The Circuit Clerk still keeps these records though. Domestic cases cover divorce filings and child custody battles. Support changes and protective orders fall here too. These records may have extra privacy rules for children involved. Some parts of these files may be sealed.

Legal Framework for Court Records

Access to civil court records in Franklin County follows Alabama laws and court rules. Knowing these rules helps you understand what records you can get. It also shows you how to request them. Most records are open. Some have limits on access.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. The law says courts should read it broadly. The goal is to let people see records. If someone refuses to hand over a record, they must prove an exemption applies. Court records are generally public. They stay closed only if a judge sealed them or a law shields them.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) states that court records are open for viewing and copying unless the law says otherwise. The rules list what info may be hidden or sealed. This includes Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Birth dates for children get blocked too. Clerks redact this info before giving out copies.

Sealed Records

Judges can seal records when there is good cause. Settlement agreements are sometimes sealed if both parties ask. Cases with trade secrets might have orders that limit access. Juvenile matters are private by law. Certain mental health records are private too. These will not appear in public searches at all.

Statutes of Limitations

Different civil claims have different deadlines for filing. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, written contract claims have six years. Personal injury claims have two years under Section 6-2-38. Property damage claims have two years too. Medical malpractice has a two-year limit. There is a hard four-year cap under Section 6-5-482. These deadlines shape what cases you might find in the records.

Filing Civil Cases in Franklin County

If you plan to file a civil lawsuit, knowing the process helps you get ready. Here is how civil filings work in Franklin County.

Where to File

You usually file a civil case where the defendant lives or where the problem happened. If the defendant lives in Franklin County, you file here. Contract disputes may be filed where the contract was supposed to be carried out. Real property cases must be filed in the county where the land sits. Filing in the wrong county can get your case thrown out or moved.

Required Documents

A civil complaint must name the parties, tell the facts of the case, and explain what relief you want. You also need a civil cover sheet. For small claims, there is a shorter form to fill out. The clerk can tell you what forms your case type needs, but they cannot fill them out for you or give legal advice.

Service of Process

After you file, you must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and summons. You can do this by certified mail, have the sheriff serve them, or use a private process server. The defendant then has time to respond, usually 30 days. If you mess up the service, your case could be delayed or dismissed.

Filing Fee Amounts

Filing fees in Franklin County follow state rules under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. Small claims under $1,500 cost $35 to file. Small claims from $1,500 to $6,000 cost $96. District court cases from $6,000 to $20,000 cost $219. Circuit court cases under $50,000 cost $197, and those over $50,000 cost $297. Service fees and other costs add to these amounts.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay the filing fees, you may ask for a waiver. File an affidavit of substantial hardship that lists your income, expenses, and assets. The judge looks at your financial picture and decides whether to waive the fees. This option exists so that lack of money does not block you from court access.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records tie into other types of records. These extra sources can give you more context on civil matters.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a money judgment, it can attach to real property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien sticks to real property in any county where it gets recorded. The Franklin County Probate Judge keeps property records including recorded judgments. Running a property search can turn up outstanding judgments against a person or business that owns land in the county.

Federal Court Records

Franklin County falls within the Northern District of Alabama. Federal cases involving constitutional issues, federal law, or parties from different states with more than $75,000 at stake go to federal court. The nearest federal courthouse is in Florence. Federal records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. These records are separate from state court files.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can change civil lawsuits and judgments. A pending bankruptcy might stop collection on civil judgments. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama handles cases for Franklin County residents. You can search bankruptcy records through PACER. If someone you sued filed for bankruptcy, it could affect what you can collect.

Probate Court Records

The Franklin County Probate Court deals with estates, wills, and guardianships. Some civil matters overlap with probate, such as will contests or claims against a dead person's estate. The Probate Judge office is in the same courthouse building. Probate records are separate from circuit and district court civil files.

Appellate Court Records

If a party appeals a civil judgment, the case goes to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals or the Supreme Court of Alabama. Appeals under $50,000 go to the Court of Civil Appeals. Larger cases go straight to the Supreme Court. Appellate records are available through the Alabama Appellate Courts portal.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter, several groups serve Franklin County residents.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income residents who qualify. They handle cases involving housing, consumer issues, family law, and public benefits. Call 1-866-456-4995 to check if you are eligible and schedule an intake appointment. They serve all 67 Alabama counties including Franklin.

Northwest Alabama Legal Services

This regional office serves Franklin County and the surrounding area. They offer help with civil matters for those who meet income guidelines. Both walk-in hours and appointments are available. Contact them to find out what services they can provide for your situation.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You pay up to $50 for a 30-minute meeting with an attorney. This can help you understand your legal options if you do not qualify for free services but cannot afford full legal representation.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help offers free legal information, court forms, and self-help guides online. The site covers common civil topics like small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer problems. You can learn about the court process and download forms you need. It is a good starting point if you plan to handle your case without a lawyer.

Search Civil Court Records

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

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County contains several towns and communities. Civil court records for residents of these areas are kept at the county level by the Circuit Clerk. Russellville is the county seat and where the courthouse is located.

Municipalities in Franklin County include Russellville, Red Bay, Phil Campbell, and Vina. None of these cities have populations above 100,000, so civil court matters for all residents go through the Franklin County Circuit Clerk in Russellville. There are no separate city courts handling civil cases in this county.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Franklin County. Each has its own Circuit Clerk office for civil court records.