Criminal records in Blount County, Alabama, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BlountALCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Blount County Circuit Court, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, and the Blount County Sheriff's Department also serve as access points for criminal case data and background information.
How to Search Criminal Records in Blount
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Blount County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if you already have one)
- Social Security Number (required only for formal background checks through ALEA)
Online Search Methods
- BlountALCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Blount County.
- Alabama Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal — The state's official court records portal provides on-demand access to Alabama trial court records, including Blount County criminal cases. Registration and per-case fees apply.
- Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Search for individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities. This database does not include historical records.
- ALEA Fugitive Search — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains a searchable list of wanted fugitives statewide.
- Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles — Provides supervision and case status information for individuals on parole.
In-Person Search
Visit the Blount County Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse in Oneonta. Public access terminals may be available for looking up case information. Staff can assist with locating records by name or case number.
For warrant inquiries, the Blount County Magistrates & Warrants page notes that anyone who suspects a warrant has been issued against them must appear in person at the Blount County Sheriff's Department.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Blount County Circuit Clerk. Include the individual's full name, date of birth, and case number if known. A public records request form may be available through the Blount County Commission website.
- Statewide criminal history: Request a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). This requires fingerprint submission and applicable fees.
Search Blount Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Alabama uses a standardized case numbering format across its circuit and district courts.
Alabama Case Number Format
A typical Alabama case number follows this pattern:
CC-YYYY-NNNNNN.00
| Segment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CC | Two-letter code indicating case type (e.g., CC = Circuit Criminal, DC = District Criminal, TR = Traffic) |
| YYYY | Four-digit year the case was filed |
| NNNNNN | Sequential case number assigned by the clerk |
| .00 | Suffix indicating the defendant count (e.g., .00 for the first defendant, .01 for the second) |
For Blount County cases, common criminal prefixes include:
- CC — Circuit Court criminal case (felonies)
- DC — District Court criminal case (misdemeanors)
- TR — Traffic violation
Enter the full case number exactly as formatted when searching through the UJS Portal or when making a request to the clerk's office.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Blount
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references an Alabama Code section (e.g., § 13A-6-2 for murder). The statute identifies the specific offense.
- Severity levels:
- Felony — Class A (most serious) through Class C; heard in Blount County Circuit Court (41st Judicial Circuit)
- Misdemeanor — Class A through Class C; typically handled in District Court
- Violation/Infraction — Minor offenses such as traffic citations
- Amended charges: Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations. Both the original and amended charges generally appear on the case record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Case is currently being adjudicated |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All proceedings and obligations are complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing: Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss case management, potential plea agreements, and motions
- Trial: Evidence is presented before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties following a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing: Court checks compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution declines to pursue the case further |
| Acquitted | Found not guilty after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Blount
Court Records (Certified Copies)
Certified copies of criminal case documents — such as judgments, dispositions, and case filings — are obtained from the Blount County Circuit Clerk's office.
Blount County Circuit Clerk
How to request:
- In person: Visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request with the case number, party name, document type requested, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment for applicable fees.
Note: The Blount County court offices have been temporarily relocated to 1000 Lincoln Avenue, Oneonta, Alabama, during courthouse renovations. Contact the clerk to confirm the current service location before visiting.
Statewide Criminal History Reports
For a comprehensive criminal background check, submit a request to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). This requires:
- Completed request form
- Fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint submission
- Valid photo ID
- Payment of the applicable fee
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Blount
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Blount County and Alabama are set by statute and local fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Alabama Code § 12-19-90 |
| Certified copy of court document | $1.00 per page plus certification fee | Alabama Code § 12-19-90; contact clerk for current total |
| UJS Portal — single case lookup | Per-case fee (varies) | Alabama AOC; fee charged at time of access |
| ALEA criminal history background check | $25.00 (name-based); fingerprint-based fees vary | ALEA fee schedule |
| ADOC inmate search | Free | Online at doc.alabama.gov |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Simple copy requests at the Blount County clerk's office are often processed the same day, depending on volume.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for the clerk's office to process and return mailed requests.
- ALEA background checks: Name-based checks may take 5–15 business days. Fingerprint-based checks can take longer depending on processing volume.
- UJS Portal: Results are typically available immediately upon payment for cases in the system.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Blount County Circuit Clerk or ALEA directly to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.