Find Civil Court Records in Lowndes County

Civil court records in Lowndes County are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Hayneville. This is the county seat. The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers this county and several nearby counties in south-central Alabama. Lowndes County is small and rural with under 10,000 people. But the Circuit Clerk still handles civil case filings just like larger areas. Need to look up a lawsuit? Want to find a judgment or check on a pending case? The clerk office can help. You can also search records online through Alacourt. The county has records going back decades. Staff can help you find older files stored in the archives. Most civil matters here involve contract disputes, property issues, debt collection, and small claims between local parties.

County Information

Circuit Clerk Office

The Lowndes County Circuit Clerk keeps all civil court records in the county. This office stores case files, takes new filings, and gives copies of court papers to the public. Andrea K. Henderson is the current Circuit Clerk. Her staff handles records for both Circuit Court and District Court civil matters. The office is in the Lowndes County Courthouse in downtown Hayneville. It is a small office but they stay busy with records requests and filings.

Physical Location

Online Access

Lowndes County civil court records are online through the Lowndes County Alacourt portal. This system lets you search by party name or case number. You need to make 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 includes civil and domestic case types. Basic info like case numbers and filing dates may be free. But viewing actual documents costs money.

For appeal records, visit the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. It gives free access to cases appealed from Lowndes County Circuit Court to higher courts. This is useful if you want to see how a local case turned out on appeal.

Civil Cases in Lowndes County

The 2nd Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters in Lowndes County. Which court hears your case depends on the dollar amount at stake. The type of dispute matters too. Here is how it breaks down.

Circuit Court Civil Division

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $20,000. This includes personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract claims, business disputes, real estate fights, and property line issues. Circuit Court also handles equity matters like injunctions. Civil cases filed here tend to be more complex. They take longer to resolve too. In a small county like Lowndes, circuit civil cases are less common. But they still happen on a regular basis.

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 moves faster than Circuit Court. Most district civil cases get resolved in a few months. In Lowndes County, district court civil matters make up most of the civil caseload. Many involve local businesses going after unpaid debts. Property owners dealing with lease disputes also file here often.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of District Court that handles disputes under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple and quick. Many people handle their own cases without a lawyer. Typical matters include security deposit fights, minor contract issues, and small debt claims. Filing is easy and hearings happen fast. In rural counties like Lowndes, small claims court often handles neighbor disputes. Vehicle sale problems and unpaid service bills are common too.

Domestic Relations

The court also handles family law civil matters. This includes divorces with property disputes, child custody cases, and support matters. These are civil matters but they follow special rules. Domestic cases are filed apart from regular civil cases. They have different filing needs and timelines. If you have a family law issue, ask the clerk about the right forms to use.

Legal Framework

Alabama law governs how civil court records are kept and accessed in Lowndes County. Several key laws apply to anyone looking for court records. They also apply if you plan to file a civil case.

Public Records Access

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, people have the right to look at and copy public records. This law is read 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. If you are denied access to a record, ask for a written reason why.

Court Jurisdiction

Circuit courts handle civil cases over $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. They also have sole power over equity matters like injunctions. District courts handle cases up to $20,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Small claims handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31.

Statutes of Limitations

Alabama sets time limits for filing civil lawsuits. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file suits based on written contracts or property trespass. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-38, personal injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years. Miss these deadlines and your case gets thrown out. Keep them in mind when searching records or planning to file.

Court Record Privacy

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) states that 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, bank account numbers, and some info about minors. Most civil case papers remain public and easy to access.

How to Get Civil Court Records

There are several ways to get civil court records from Lowndes County. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the records. It also depends on whether you can travel to Hayneville in person.

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Lowndes County Courthouse in Hayneville. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what case you want. A case number speeds things up a lot. Staff can also search by party names if you do not have the case number. You can view the file and ask for copies of certain papers. Standard copies cost around $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more but are needed for some legal uses. Most requests are filled the same day while you wait.

Online

Go to lowndes.alacourt.gov and make an account. Search by party name or case number. Pay the fee to view case papers. You can print or save what you find. The online system is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This helps if you cannot visit during office hours. It also helps if you live far from Hayneville. Keep in mind the fees add up if you need to search many cases.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 5, Hayneville, AL 36040. Include the names of all parties. Add a rough date range and case type. Send a check or money order for the fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply. Response time is usually 5 to 10 business days. Call ahead to get a fee estimate if you are not sure how much to send.

What Information You Need

To search well, gather as much of this info as you can before you call the clerk. Get full names of parties involved. Find out when the case was filed. Know the type of case (small claims, civil, domestic). Get the case number if you have it. The more details you give, the faster staff can find your records. Partial info works too, but searches take longer. You may get many results to sort through.

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.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, they may record it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens are filed with the Lowndes County Probate Judge. Searching property records can reveal judgments that have been recorded. The Probate office is located in the Lowndes County Courthouse in Hayneville. Property transfers, deeds, and mortgages are also on file there and sometimes relate to civil disputes.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases fall under federal jurisdiction rather than state courts. Lowndes County is in the Middle District of Alabama. Federal civil records are accessible through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges $0.10 per page viewed. Federal cases might involve civil rights claims, federal law violations, or disputes between parties from different states exceeding $75,000.

Bankruptcy Records

If a party to a civil case files for bankruptcy, it can affect the lawsuit. Bankruptcy automatically stays most civil collection actions. Bankruptcy records are federal records available through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles Lowndes County bankruptcy cases.

State Agency Records

Some civil matters connect to state agency records. For example, a civil case about a business dispute might relate to business filings with the Alabama Secretary of State. Professional licensing complaints filed with state boards can lead to civil lawsuits. These records are kept separately but may provide useful background.

Legal Assistance

Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to Lowndes County residents dealing with civil court matters. Legal aid can be especially valuable in rural areas where private attorneys may be harder to find or afford.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid across the state, including Lowndes County. They serve residents who meet income guidelines. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995. They handle housing, family, consumer, and benefits cases. Priority goes to seniors, veterans, and victims of domestic violence.

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 with an attorney. This can help you understand your options if you need to file or respond to a civil case. The referral service covers all practice areas including civil litigation.

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 collection defense, housing disputes, and family law matters. Forms are available to download and print.

Pro Bono Programs

The Alabama State Bar coordinates pro bono services statewide. Some attorneys take cases for free for qualifying clients. Contact the state bar or Legal Services Alabama to ask about pro bono options in your area. Availability varies depending on attorney volunteers and case type.

Cities in Lowndes County

Lowndes County includes the county seat of Hayneville and several small communities. Civil court records for residents throughout the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office in Hayneville.

Hayneville is the largest town with a population around 900. Other communities include Fort Deposit, Lowndesboro, Mosses, Gordonville, and White Hall. None of these towns have populations over 100,000, so civil court matters for all Lowndes County residents go through the county court system.

The nearest major city is Montgomery, located about 25 miles northeast of Hayneville. Montgomery is in Montgomery County but serves as a regional hub for shopping, healthcare, and services for Lowndes County residents.

Nearby Counties

Lowndes County borders seven other Alabama counties. If you need records from a case filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's Circuit Clerk. Cases are filed where the dispute arose or where the defendant lives, so a matter involving Lowndes County residents might actually be filed in an adjacent county.