Find Civil Court Records in Pickens County

Civil court records in Pickens County cover lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and other non-criminal legal matters heard in the county courts. The Circuit Clerk's office in Carrollton keeps all civil case files for the county. This small, rural county in west-central Alabama is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. It shares that circuit with Fayette and Lamar counties. Sarah L. Blevins serves as Circuit Clerk. She can help you find case files, get copies, and learn how to file papers. Whether you need records for legal research, background checks, or personal matters, you have options. Search online through Alacourt or visit the courthouse in person. Staff handles requests every business day. They can walk you through the steps to find what you need.

Pickens County Circuit Clerk

Sarah L. Blevins serves as the Pickens County Circuit Clerk. She is the official keeper of all court records in the county. The Circuit Clerk's office handles new civil lawsuit filings. They keep case files, process copy requests, and issue certified documents. Staff can help you search for cases by party name or case number. They will tell you what records exist and how to get them. If you are not sure where to start, just call and ask. The staff deals with these requests all the time.

Courthouse Location

The Pickens County Courthouse sits on the town square in Carrollton. The old courthouse building holds the Circuit Clerk's office, other county offices, and courtrooms. Carrollton is a small town. Parking is usually easy to find around the square. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during regular hours. Bring a valid photo ID when you come to ask for court records. You may also want to bring any case info you have, like party names or dates, to help the staff find what you need faster.

Online Civil Court Records Access

Pickens County civil court records are online through the statewide Alacourt system. The county also has its own portal at pickens.alacourt.gov. It links to the same database. Online access lets you search cases from anywhere. No need to drive to Carrollton. This is handy if you live far from the county seat or just want to check something quick before making a trip.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal is the main way to search Alabama court records online. You need to create a free account first. Once logged in, you can look up cases by party name or case number. District court case lookups cost $19.99 each. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. The fee lets you view documents in that case.

Pickens County Court Portal

The Pickens County Court Portal at pickens.alacourt.gov gives you direct access to local case info. This portal is part of the statewide Alacourt network. Your login works here too. Some folks find it easier to start with the county portal when looking for local cases. Either site works fine for Pickens County records.

What Records Are Available Online

Online records include basic case info like party names, filing dates, hearing times, and final judgments. Many documents can be viewed and printed. This includes complaints, motions, and court orders. But not all records are online. Older cases filed before the digital switch may only exist on paper at the courthouse. Some sensitive documents are also kept off the public portal. For a full picture of any case, you may need to visit in person. Or just call and ask what is on file.

Types of Civil Cases in Pickens County

Civil cases in Pickens County involve disputes between people or groups. One side wants money or some other fix from the other. The county handles these matters at different court levels. The amount at stake decides which court hears the case.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Pickens County Circuit Court handles civil disputes over $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These bigger cases include injury lawsuits from car wrecks or work accidents. Medical malpractice claims, major contract disputes, and business fights also go here. So do property battles. Circuit court also handles equity matters like injunctions. Most people hire lawyers for circuit court cases. The stakes are high and the rules are strict.

District Court Civil Cases

District court takes civil cases where the amount is $20,000 or less. This is set out in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. These mid-range cases cover landlord-tenant problems, evictions, debt collection, smaller contract disputes, and property damage claims. District court moves faster than circuit court. The process is a bit less formal too.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court in Pickens County handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. This is the simplest way to resolve minor civil matters. Many folks handle small claims cases themselves without a lawyer. Common small claims include security deposit fights, minor fender benders, unpaid debts, and disputes over services. The filing fee is lower and cases get heard quickly.

The 24th Judicial Circuit

Pickens County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. Fayette County and Lamar County are also in this circuit. These three rural counties in west-central Alabama share circuit judges. The judges travel between courthouses to hear cases. This setup helps smaller counties access the full court system. They do not need their own full-time circuit judges.

The 24th Circuit handles all circuit court matters. This includes civil cases over $20,000, felony criminal cases, and family matters like divorces and custody fights. District court runs on its own in each county. If you have a case that might involve parties from another county in the circuit, the clerk can tell you where to file.

Because the circuit covers multiple counties, judges rotate through on set court days. Call the clerk's office first if you plan to attend a hearing. Same goes if you need to file papers that need a judge to review them. Ask when the judge will be in Carrollton. Routine filings and record requests can be done any day the office is open.

How to Search Civil Court Records

Getting civil court records from Pickens County can be done several ways. Which method works best depends on what you need and how fast you need it.

In-Person Searches

Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton. Come during business hours and bring your photo ID. Tell the staff what you need. Give them party names, rough dates, and case type if you know it. They will search their system and pull any files you want to see. You can look at documents there. Then ask for copies of what you need. Standard copies run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. They come with an official seal.

Online Searches

Use Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com or the Pickens County portal at pickens.alacourt.gov. Set up an account. Search for the case. Pay the fee to see documents. Online access works well when you know the case number or party names. It saves a trip to Carrollton. Just keep in mind that older records may not be in the system yet.

Phone Requests

Call the Circuit Clerk at (205) 367-2010 with your questions. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and give you basic information. For copies, they will tell you the fee and how to pay. This is a good first step if you are not sure where to start.

Written Requests

Mail a request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 370, Carrollton, AL 35447. Include the party names and rough dates. Note the type of case if you know it. Add your return address and payment for fees. Make checks out to the Pickens County Circuit Clerk. Give it 5 to 10 business days for a reply. Written requests work well when you need certified copies mailed to you.

Public Records Requests

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives you the right to inspect and copy public records. If a normal request does not work, you can submit a formal public records request. The law leans toward letting you see records. The clerk must show a valid reason to withhold anything.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets filing fees for civil cases statewide. These fees apply in Pickens County just like everywhere else in Alabama.

Copy and Certification Fees

Standard copies of court papers cost about $0.50 to $1.00 per page at the clerk's office. Certified copies with an official seal cost $1.00 to $5.00 per page. There is also a fee just for the seal. Online access through Alacourt charges $19.99 for district cases. Circuit cases cost $29.99. Call (205) 367-2010 to check current fees before you send payment.

Fee Waivers

Cannot afford the filing fee? You can ask the judge to waive it. File a form called an affidavit of hardship. In it, explain your money situation. List your income, costs, assets, and debts. The judge looks at this and decides whether to waive the fees. Fee waivers are allowed under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. You have to show you truly cannot pay.

Legal Aid and Free Resources

Free legal help is harder to find in rural areas like Pickens County, but several organizations serve west Alabama residents who need assistance with civil matters.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents across all 67 Alabama counties, including Pickens. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer protection, and public benefits. The closest office is in Tuscaloosa. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for help.

West Alabama Legal Aid

Legal Services Alabama serves the west Alabama region including Pickens County from their Tuscaloosa office. If you have a civil legal problem and cannot afford a lawyer, call to schedule an intake appointment. They prioritize cases involving basic needs like housing, safety, and income.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help is a free website with self-help information, legal guides, and court forms. You can learn about topics like landlord-tenant law, small claims court, debt problems, and family matters. If you need to handle a civil case on your own, this site helps you understand the process and find the right forms.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. For a maximum of $50, you get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney who handles your type of case. The service operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This is a good option if you need professional advice but are not sure where to find a lawyer in your area.

Volunteer Lawyers Programs

The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program at (205) 250-5198 serves parts of west Alabama. They connect qualifying low-income residents with attorneys who provide free representation in civil matters. Not everyone qualifies, but it is worth calling to ask about services available in Pickens County.

Alabama Laws Governing Civil Court Records

State laws control how civil court records are created, stored, and made available to the public. These statutes apply equally in Pickens County and across Alabama.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 establishes your right to inspect and copy public records. The law says courts must read it broadly in favor of letting people see records. When someone refuses your request, they bear the burden of proving an exemption applies. Court records are generally public unless a specific law says otherwise.

Court Record Fees

Alabama Code Section 36-12-41 allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for copies. Fees must reflect actual costs. They cannot be set so high that they prevent people from getting records. Most clerk offices charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per page.

Court Privacy Rules

Effective January 1, 2025, the Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality govern what court records are public. Rule 104(A) states that court records are open for inspection and copying unless a statute, rule, or court order provides otherwise. The rules list 91 categories of information that may be redacted or sealed, such as social security numbers, bank account numbers, and certain juvenile information.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within time limits. Alabama Code Section 6-2-34 gives six years for written contract claims. Section 6-2-38 provides two years for personal injury and property damage. Medical malpractice under Section 6-5-482 has a two-year limit with a four-year statute of repose. Missing these deadlines means you lose the right to sue.

Judgment Liens

Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, when someone wins a civil judgment, it can become a lien on the debtor's real property in the county where the judgment is recorded. In Pickens County, these liens are recorded with the Probate Judge. If you are researching someone's debts or judgments, checking both the Circuit Clerk and Probate office gives you the full picture.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to other public records. When researching a civil matter, these additional sources may have useful information.

Property Records

The Pickens County Probate Judge maintains property records including deeds, mortgages, and judgment liens. Civil judgments can attach to real property as liens. If you are researching someone's assets or debts, property records can reveal judgments recorded against them.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases belong in federal court due to federal questions or diversity of citizenship. Pickens County falls within the Northern District of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Division. Federal civil cases are searchable through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect civil cases by staying proceedings or discharging debts. If a party to your civil case files for bankruptcy, that case is in federal court. Search bankruptcy records through PACER to see if someone has filed.

Business Entity Records

For civil cases involving businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains records of registered business entities. You can find information about who owns a business, its registered agent, and its current status. This helps when you need to serve legal papers or verify a company exists.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Pickens County and other Alabama locations.

Cities in Pickens County

Pickens County contains several small towns and communities. Civil court records for residents of all these places are handled by the Pickens County Circuit Clerk in Carrollton.

Communities in Pickens County include Aliceville, Carrollton, Gordo, Reform, Pickensville, and Ethelsville. None of these towns have populations over 100,000, so civil matters for all Pickens County residents go through the county court system in Carrollton. The closest major city is Tuscaloosa, about 40 miles east in neighboring Tuscaloosa County.

Nearby Counties

If your civil matter involves parties from neighboring counties, you may need to search court records there too. Cases must be filed in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute arose.