Find Civil Court Records in Pike County

Civil court records in Pike County document all lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and judgments filed through the 12th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Troy keeps these case files. They also handle public record requests. Pike County shares the 12th Circuit with Coffee and Crenshaw counties. Each county has its own clerk office for local filings though. Whether you need to look up an old case, check a judgment, or research pending cases, the Pike County Circuit Clerk is where you start. Records go back decades. They include everything from small claims to major civil suits. You can search online through Alabama's statewide court portal. Or you can visit the courthouse in person during business hours.

Pike County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all civil court matters in Pike County. This office handles new case filings. It also keeps existing case files, issues certified copies, and helps people find what they need. Lisa Green is the current Circuit Clerk. She runs day to day work at the Pike County Courthouse in Troy. Her staff is there to help if you have questions about your case or need help finding records.

Pike County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit along with Coffee County and Crenshaw County. The circuit has three judges. They rotate between courthouses. For Pike County civil matters, cases are heard at the courthouse on West Church Street in Troy. The clerk's office sits on the first floor. You can file papers there, pay fees, and request copies of court records. The staff can point you in the right direction if you are not sure where to go.

The Pike County Courthouse is in downtown Troy, just off the main square. Parking is on the street and in nearby lots. You will go through security when you enter. If you have a filing deadline, give yourself extra time. The clerk's office closes at 4:30 PM sharp. Staff will not take filings after that time. So plan to get there early if you are cutting it close.

Types of Civil Cases in Pike County

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit court has power over civil matters where the amount at stake is more than $20,000. This is set out in Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These larger cases include personal injury lawsuits, business contract disputes, real estate fights, and malpractice claims. The 12th Judicial Circuit handles these matters. Three circuit judges hear cases in Pike, Coffee, and Crenshaw counties.

Pike County circuit court also has sole power in equity cases. That means cases for injunctions, specific performance of contracts, quiet title actions, and other equitable remedies must be filed here. The dollar amount does not matter for these. If you need a court order to stop someone from doing something, circuit court is where you file. Same goes if you need to force someone to follow through on a promise they made.

District Court Civil Cases

District court in Pike County handles civil cases from $6,000 up to $20,000. This is under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. This court deals with many debt collection cases. It also handles landlord and tenant disputes, contract claims, and property damage suits that fall under the circuit court limit. The process moves faster than circuit court. The rules are a bit less formal too.

Troy University brings a steady stream of landlord-tenant cases to district court. Lease disputes, security deposit claims, and eviction proceedings are common given the student rental market. Local businesses also file collection actions here when customers or clients do not pay their bills.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court for cases under $6,000. You do not need a lawyer. The process is meant to be simple. Regular folks can handle their own disputes. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts, property damage, failed repairs, and minor contract disputes. You tell the judge your side. The other party tells theirs. Then the judge makes a call.

Filing a small claims case is straightforward. Go to the clerk's office, fill out the complaint form, pay the filing fee, and the court will schedule a hearing. Bring any documents that support your claim. Receipts, contracts, photos, and text messages can all help prove your case. The hearing usually takes less than 30 minutes.

How to Search Pike County Civil Court Records

Online Access Through Alacourt

Pike County civil court records are online through the Alacourt Public Access portal. This statewide system lets you search by party name or case number. Basic search results show case type, filing date, and case status. There is no charge for that. To view actual papers and detailed case info, you need to pay. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups run $29.99 per case.

The Alacourt system covers all 67 Alabama counties. Once you make an account, you can search civil records from Pike County or anywhere else in the state. The database has active cases and closed cases going back many years. For older records that were never put online, you may need to call the clerk's office. Some very old files are only on paper.

In-Person Record Requests

You can visit the Pike County Circuit Clerk at 120 West Church Street in Troy to search records in person. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you find cases if you have party names or a rough filing date. The more info you can give them, the faster they can find what you need.

For simple requests, you can often get copies the same day. If you need certified copies, let the clerk know upfront. Certification adds to the cost. But it is required for some legal uses. Large orders or complex searches may take longer. Give them a few days for bigger requests.

Mail and Written Requests

You can submit record requests by mail to the Pike County Circuit Clerk at 120 West Church Street, Room 101, Troy, AL 36081. Include as much case information as possible. The case number is best if you have it. Otherwise, provide party names, approximate filing dates, and what type of case it was. Explain what documents you need and how many copies.

Include payment with your request. Make checks or money orders payable to Pike County Circuit Clerk. If you are not sure of the exact amount, call (334) 566-4400 first to get a quote. Expect about 5 to 10 business days for processing once they receive your request.

Alabama Civil Court Laws

Public Records Access

Court records in Alabama are public under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This law gives any Alabama resident the right to inspect and copy public records held by state and local government offices. Courts fall under this rule. The law says it should be read broadly to favor disclosure. If an office denies your request, they have to prove why.

There are some limits though. Sealed records are not public. Cases with juveniles have restrictions. Some info gets blacked out for privacy. This includes social security numbers and bank account numbers. But the general rule is that civil court filings, judgments, and case papers are open to the public.

Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Pike County are set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply statewide. The exact amount depends on case type and how much is at stake. Small claims cases have the lowest fees. Circuit court cases over $50,000 have the highest. Call the clerk's office for current fee amounts before you file.

If you cannot afford filing fees, you may request a fee waiver. The court requires an affidavit showing substantial financial hardship. The judge reviews your financial situation and decides whether to waive or reduce the fees. This is done on a case by case basis.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says that court records are open to the public unless a law or court order says otherwise. The rules spell out what info should be kept private or blacked out. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and info about minor children get protected. Lawyers filing papers are supposed to remove this info before filing.

Statutes of Limitations

Alabama law sets deadlines for filing civil lawsuits. Miss the deadline and you lose your right to sue. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file on a written contract. Section 6-2-38 gives two years for personal injury and property damage claims. These time limits matter. A case filed right before the deadline may show the plaintiff was trying to save a claim before it ran out.

Civil Court Record Copy Fees

Pike County charges fees for copies of civil court records. The amounts are set by state law. They are about the same across all Alabama counties. Call the clerk's office at (334) 566-4400 if you need exact prices for certain papers. They can give you a quote over the phone.

If you have a large order, call ahead for an estimate. The staff can tell you what papers are in the file before you pay for copies. That way you only pay for what you need. For certified copies, make sure you say that when you make your request. It costs more but some uses require it.

Related Civil Record Sources

Federal Court Records

Pike County is in the Middle District of Alabama. Federal civil cases involving Pike County parties may be filed in U.S. District Court in Montgomery. Cases that involve federal law, constitutional issues, or parties from different states with claims over $75,000 go to federal court instead of state court. You can search federal case records through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can record it as a lien against the debtor's real property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to real property in any county where it is recorded. The Pike County Probate Judge maintains property records including judgment liens, deeds, and mortgages. If you are researching whether a judgment was ever collected, check property records too.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect civil judgments and ongoing lawsuits. When someone files bankruptcy, most collection efforts stop automatically. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles cases from Pike County. These records are available through PACER. If you are trying to collect on a civil judgment and the debtor files bankruptcy, you need to file a claim in the bankruptcy case.

Business Entity Records

Civil cases involving businesses may require information from the Alabama Secretary of State. Business entity records show who owns a company, who the registered agent is, and the business address. This information helps with serving legal documents. The Secretary of State has an online search tool for business filings at sos.alabama.gov.

Legal Help in Pike County

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents. They handle cases involving housing, consumer protection, public benefits, and family law. Their statewide intake line is 1-866-456-4995. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer and have a civil legal problem, this is a good place to start.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website has free self-help guides, court forms, and legal information. You can find resources for small claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer disputes, and other common civil matters. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

If you need to hire a lawyer, the Alabama State Bar runs a referral service at 1-800-392-5660. Initial consultations are capped at $50 for 30 minutes. This can help you find an attorney who handles the type of civil case you have. Private attorneys in Troy and the surrounding area can also be found through online directories.

Troy University Legal Resources

Troy University students may have access to campus resources for certain legal matters. The university does not operate a full law clinic, but students can sometimes get referrals through student services. For civil disputes with landlords or local businesses, students should contact Legal Services Alabama to see if they qualify for free help.

Cities in Pike County

Pike County contains the city of Troy, which is the county seat, along with smaller municipalities including Banks, Brundidge, and Goshen. Troy has a population of around 18,000 and is home to Troy University. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all civil court records are handled exclusively through the Pike County Circuit Clerk in Troy.

There are no separate municipal civil courts in Pike County. All civil lawsuits involving residents or businesses in Troy, Brundidge, or other Pike County cities are filed at the Pike County Courthouse. The Circuit Clerk maintains records for the entire county regardless of which city the parties live in.

Nearby Counties

Pike County borders five other Alabama counties. Civil cases involving parties from multiple counties may have records in more than one location. If you are researching a case and cannot find it in Pike County, try checking neighboring jurisdictions.