Birmingham Alabama Felony Records
Birmingham felony records are kept by the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The city does not store felony files. Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama with about 196,000 people. All felony cases go to the county court system. The Circuit Clerk in Birmingham keeps all case files. This page shows you how to search felony records in Birmingham and get the info you need.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Which Court Has Birmingham Felony Records
Jefferson County Circuit Court handles all felony cases in Birmingham. The city police make arrests. But the county court takes over after that. All charges, hearings, and verdicts happen at the county level. Birmingham does not have a separate felony court. The county system serves the whole area. This is how it works across Alabama.
Jefferson County has two court divisions. Birmingham uses the Birmingham Division on the east side of the county. The Bessemer Division handles the west side. If your case is in Birmingham, you go to the courthouse downtown. The address is 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N. The Circuit Clerk office is in Room 420. This is where all Birmingham felony records are stored and where you request copies.
| Court | Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 420 Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 325-5355 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov |
The courthouse sits in downtown Birmingham. Parking meters line the streets nearby. Several parking garages are close by for longer visits. Security checks all visitors at the door. Bring a photo ID. Leave large bags at home if you can. Staff at the clerk office can help you find felony records in Birmingham once you get through the entrance.
How to Search Birmingham Felony Records
You can search felony records in Birmingham online or in person. Online is faster for basic info. In person lets you see the full case file. Both ways work. The records are public under Alabama law. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be part of the case to look up felony records in Birmingham.
The Alacourt ACCESS portal has all trial court records from Jefferson County. This includes every felony case filed in Birmingham. You search by name or case number. Each search costs $9.99. Results show charges, court dates, and case outcomes. You can view document images for an extra fee. This is the best online tool for felony records in Birmingham.
The image above shows the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk website. This is where Birmingham residents start their search for court records. The site links to Alacourt and has info about the clerk office services.
To search felony records in Birmingham, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth helps narrow results
- Case number if you have it
- Year the case was filed
You can also visit the clerk office in person. Staff can look up cases and make copies from the file. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The clerk can tell you the current fees. Call ahead at (205) 325-5355 to check what you need to bring. The office handles many requests each day. Plan for a wait if you go during busy times.
Birmingham Police Department Records
The Birmingham Police Department handles arrests. They keep arrest records and incident reports. These are different from court records. Police records show the arrest itself. Court records show what happened after in the legal system. You may need both to get the full picture of a felony case in Birmingham.
To get police records in Birmingham, contact the Records Unit. The main number is (205) 254-1700. You can ask for arrest reports, incident reports, and booking info. Some records are public. Others need a court order or consent. The police can tell you what they can release. Mugshots and booking photos often come from the jail, not the police station.
The Jefferson County Sheriff runs the jail system. They post a jail roster online. This shows current inmates in Birmingham. You can see booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Go to jeffcosheriffal.com/corrections to view the roster. It updates often. This is a free resource for checking recent arrests in Birmingham.
Online Search Options for Birmingham
Several online tools help you find felony records in Birmingham. Some are free. Others charge a fee. Each one has different info. Using more than one gives you the best results. Here are the main options for searching felony records online from Birmingham.
Alacourt ACCESS at pa.alacourt.com is the state court system. It covers all 67 Alabama counties. For Birmingham, select Jefferson County. You pay $9.99 per search. Results show criminal cases, charges, and outcomes. You can view case documents too. This is the official source for court records in Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Corrections has a free inmate search at doc.alabama.gov. It shows people now in state prison. Search by name or AIS number. Results show the facility, sentence, and custody level. This tool is free. It does not show people who have been released. If someone from Birmingham went to prison, you can find them here.
The ALEA criminal history database is not public. You cannot search it online. ALEA keeps records of all arrests in Alabama. But you must apply in person with fingerprints to see your own record. Employers can request checks with the person's consent. ALEA charges $25 for a background check. Most people use Alacourt for public court records instead.
What Birmingham Felony Records Show
A felony record in Birmingham tells you a lot about a case. It has the basic facts and the legal outcome. The record starts when someone is charged. It ends when the case closes. Everything in between is part of the file. Here is what you can find in Birmingham felony records.
Birmingham felony records include:
- Defendant's full name and date of birth
- Arrest date and booking info
- Charges filed by the prosecutor
- Case number and court assigned
- Hearing dates and court actions
- Motions filed by both sides
- Verdict: guilty, not guilty, or dismissed
- Sentence if convicted
- Bond amounts and release info
Felony cases in Birmingham cover serious crimes. Murder, rape, and robbery are Class A or B felonies. Drug crimes can be Class B, C, or D. Theft over $2,500 is a felony. Assault that causes real harm is often a felony. Under Code of Alabama Section 13A-5-6, felony sentences range from 1 year and 1 day up to life in prison. The class of felony sets the range.
Are Birmingham Felony Records Public
Yes. Court records are public in Alabama. This includes felony records from Birmingham. Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect public records. You do not need to be part of the case. You do not need to give a reason. The records are open to anyone who asks.
Some limits exist in Birmingham as in the rest of Alabama. Juvenile records are sealed. Cases a judge has ordered sealed are not public. Expunged records are hidden from view. Social Security numbers and some personal info may be blacked out on copies. But in general, felony court records are open to the public in Birmingham.
ALEA criminal history is different. It is not a public record. Only the subject or authorized users can access it. Misuse of criminal records is a crime under Code of Alabama Section 41-9-601. Fines go from $5,000 to $10,000. Prison time can reach five years. Stick to public court records through Alacourt for legal searches in Birmingham.
Birmingham Felony Expungement
Some felony records can be erased in Birmingham. This is called expungement. Not every case qualifies. The rules are strict. But if you meet them, you can ask the court to seal your record. Once sealed, most people cannot see it. It will not show on most background checks.
Under Code of Alabama Section 15-27, Birmingham residents can ask to expunge certain felony records. Charges that were dismissed may qualify. Cases where you were found not guilty can be erased. If you got a pardon with rights restored, you may be able to expunge a conviction. Violent felonies have stricter rules. Many cannot be expunged at all.
To start the process in Birmingham, you file a petition at the Jefferson County Circuit Court. A judge reviews your case. If approved, the court sends orders to all agencies with records. ALEA updates its files after the court order. The Circuit Clerk seals the court record. Expungement takes time. Many cases need a lawyer to handle correctly.
Legal Help in Birmingham
Several groups offer help with felony cases in Birmingham. Some give free legal aid. Others have low-cost options. If you face felony charges or need to search records, these resources can help you understand your options in Birmingham.
Legal Services Alabama has its main office in Birmingham. They serve all of Jefferson County. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call (205) 328-3540 to ask about help. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has more info on services in Birmingham.
The image shows Legal Aid Alabama resources for Birmingham area residents. These groups help people who cannot afford a private lawyer.
The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program helps low-income residents with legal matters. Call (205) 250-5198 to check if you qualify. The Birmingham Bar Association has a lawyer referral line at (205) 251-8006. A first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide line at 1-800-392-5660. The Jefferson County Law Library in the courthouse has free forms and staff who can point you in the right direction. Call (205) 325-5628.
Nearby Alabama Cities
Birmingham is near other major cities in Alabama. Hoover is just south and shares part of Jefferson County. Tuscaloosa is about an hour west. Each city uses its own county court system for felony records. Here are links to felony records in cities near Birmingham.
Jefferson County Felony Records
Birmingham is in Jefferson County. All felony cases go through the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The county serves over 35 cities and towns. Birmingham is the largest. For more on the county court system, fees, and other resources, see the full Jefferson County felony records page.