Search Montgomery Felony Records
Montgomery felony records are filed at the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The city is the state capital. It has about 195,000 people. The county court system handles all felony cases in Montgomery. The Circuit Clerk stores every case file. This page shows how to search felony records in Montgomery and what you can find in them.
Montgomery Quick Facts
Which Court Has Montgomery Felony Records
Montgomery County Circuit Court handles all felony cases in the city. The police make arrests. The county court takes it from there. All charges and hearings happen at the county level. Montgomery does not have its own felony court. This is how Alabama works. The county system serves everyone in the area.
Montgomery is the county seat. The courthouse is at 251 S. Lawrence Street. The Circuit Clerk office is inside. This is where all felony records in Montgomery are stored. You can request copies in person or search online. The clerk staff can help you find what you need. Call ahead if you have questions about fees or hours.
| Court | Montgomery County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 251 S. Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Phone | (334) 832-1260 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | montgomery.alacourt.gov |
The courthouse sits in downtown Montgomery. Street parking is nearby. A few parking lots serve the area. Security screens all visitors. Bring a valid photo ID. Large bags may slow you down at the entrance. Staff can help you once you reach the clerk window for felony records in Montgomery.
How to Search Montgomery Felony Records
You can search felony records in Montgomery online or at the courthouse. Online works well for basic case info. In person lets you see the whole file. Both options are available. Records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request them. You do not need to explain why you want to see felony records in Montgomery.
The Alacourt ACCESS system covers all trial courts in Alabama. For Montgomery, pick Montgomery County from the list. Each search costs $9.99. You can search by name or case number. Results show charges, court dates, and outcomes. Document images cost extra. This is the main online tool for felony records in Montgomery.
The image above shows the court records portal for Montgomery County. This is where city residents search for felony case information online.
To search felony records in Montgomery, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if you have it
- Case number for exact results
- Approximate year the case was filed
You can visit the clerk office in person too. Staff can look up cases and print copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (334) 832-1260 to ask about current fees. The office gets busy some days. Mornings are often less crowded if you have the choice.
Montgomery Police Department Records
The Montgomery Police Department handles arrests in the city. They keep arrest records and incident reports. These are separate from court records. Police records show the arrest. Court records show what happened after. You may want both for a full picture of a felony case in Montgomery.
Contact the police records unit for arrest reports. The main number is (334) 625-2551. You can ask for incident reports and booking info. Some records are public. Others need consent or a court order. The staff can tell you what they can release. Mugshots often come from the jail, not the police station itself.
The Montgomery County Sheriff runs the jail. They post current inmates online. You can see booking dates, charges, and bond amounts on the jail roster. Visit montgomerysheriff.com to check. The list updates often. This is free to use for checking recent arrests in Montgomery.
State Agencies in Montgomery
Montgomery is the state capital. Many state agencies are based here. This includes ALEA, which runs the criminal history database. The Alabama Department of Corrections also has its main office in Montgomery. Having these agencies nearby can help with certain records requests.
ALEA headquarters is at 301 S. Ripley Street in Montgomery. This is where they process background check requests. You cannot walk in and search their database. But you can submit a request here with Form 46 and your fingerprints. The fee is $25. ALEA keeps records of all arrests in Alabama. Court records are easier to get, but ALEA has the most complete history.
The ADOC inmate search is free and online. It shows people now in state prison. Search by name or AIS number. Results include the facility, sentence, and custody level. If someone from Montgomery was sent to prison, you can look them up here at no cost.
What Montgomery Felony Records Show
A felony record from Montgomery has the full story of a case. It starts when charges are filed. It ends when the case closes. Everything in between is in the file. Here is what you can expect to find in felony records from Montgomery.
Montgomery felony records include:
- Defendant's name and birth date
- Arrest date and booking details
- Charges filed by the state
- Case number and judge assigned
- Hearing dates and court actions
- Motions from both sides
- Verdict: guilty, not guilty, or dropped
- Sentence if found guilty
- Bond and release info
Felonies in Montgomery cover the same crimes as the rest of Alabama. Murder, rape, and armed robbery are top-tier felonies. Drug crimes vary by amount and type. Theft over $2,500 is a felony. Under Code of Alabama Section 13A-5-6, Class A felonies can bring 10 years to life. Class D felonies bring 1 year and 1 day to 5 years.
Are Montgomery Felony Records Public
Yes. Court records are public in Alabama. Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, anyone can inspect public records. This includes felony files at the Montgomery County Circuit Court. You do not need to be part of the case. You do not need a reason. The records are open.
Some limits apply in Montgomery. Juvenile cases are sealed. Records a judge ordered sealed are not public. Expunged records are hidden. Personal info like Social Security numbers may be blacked out. But most felony court records are open to the public in Montgomery.
ALEA criminal history is not public. Only the subject or authorized users can see it. Misuse of criminal records is a crime under Code of Alabama Section 41-9-601. Fines range from $5,000 to $10,000. Jail time can reach 5 years. Use Alacourt for public record searches in Montgomery.
Montgomery Felony Expungement
Some felony records can be sealed in Montgomery. This is expungement. Not all cases qualify. The rules are firm. If you meet them, you can ask the court to hide your record. Once done, most employers and landlords cannot see it.
Under Code of Alabama Section 15-27, certain felonies can be expunged. Dismissed charges often qualify. Not guilty verdicts can be erased. Convictions with a pardon and restored rights may qualify. Violent felonies are much harder to expunge. Some cannot be sealed at all.
To start expungement in Montgomery, file a petition at the Circuit Court. A judge reviews your case. If approved, the court orders agencies to seal their records. ALEA updates its files. The clerk seals the court file. The process takes time. A lawyer can help get it done right.
Legal Help in Montgomery
Several groups in Montgomery offer legal help. Some are free for low-income residents. Others charge reduced rates. These resources can help with felony cases or record searches in Montgomery.
Legal Services Alabama has an office in Montgomery. They help low-income residents with legal matters. Call (334) 264-1471 for the local office. The statewide line is (866) 456-4995. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Visit legalservicesalabama.org to learn more about free legal aid in Montgomery.
The Montgomery County Bar Association can refer you to a lawyer. Call (334) 265-4684. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. A first meeting often costs a reduced fee. For basic forms, the Montgomery County Law Library at the courthouse has resources. Staff can point you to the forms you need for felony record requests.
Nearby Alabama Cities
Montgomery sits in the central part of the state. Auburn is about an hour east. Birmingham is roughly 90 miles north. Each city uses its own county court for felony records. Here are links to nearby cities.
Montgomery County Felony Records
Montgomery is the county seat of Montgomery County. All felony cases go through the county Circuit Court. The county serves the city and surrounding towns. For full details on the court system, fees, and related resources, see the Montgomery County felony records page.