Search Tuscaloosa Felony Records
Tuscaloosa felony records are filed at the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The city does not store felony files itself. Tuscaloosa has about 114,000 people and is home to the University of Alabama. All felony cases go to the county court system. The Circuit Clerk keeps every case file. This page explains how to search felony records in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Which Court Has Tuscaloosa Felony Records
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court handles all felony cases in the city. Police arrest people. Then the county takes over. All charges and hearings happen at county level. Tuscaloosa does not have its own felony court. The county system serves everyone in the area. This is how it works across Alabama.
Tuscaloosa is the county seat. The courthouse is at 714 Greensboro Avenue. The Circuit Clerk office is inside the building. This is where all felony records in Tuscaloosa are stored. You can get copies in person or search online. Staff help with questions about fees and how to request records.
| Court | Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 714 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
| Phone | (205) 349-3870 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov |
The courthouse is in downtown Tuscaloosa. Street parking and lots serve the area. Security screens all visitors at the door. Bring a valid photo ID. Large bags can slow you down. Once inside, clerk staff can help you find the felony records you need in Tuscaloosa.
How to Search Tuscaloosa Felony Records
You can search felony records in Tuscaloosa online or in person. Online is fast for basic info. In person lets you see the full file. Both options work. Records are public in Alabama. Anyone can look them up. You do not need a reason to search felony records in Tuscaloosa.
The Alacourt ACCESS portal covers all Alabama courts. For Tuscaloosa, pick Tuscaloosa County from the menu. Each search costs $9.99. You can search by name or case number. Results show charges, hearings, and outcomes. Document images cost extra. This is the main online tool for felony records in Tuscaloosa.
The image above shows how to access Tuscaloosa County court records. City residents use this portal to look up felony cases online.
To search felony records in Tuscaloosa, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if known
- Case number for exact results
- Year the case was filed
You can visit the clerk office too. Staff look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (205) 349-3870 to ask about current fees. The office can get busy. Early mornings may have shorter wait times.
Tuscaloosa Police Department Records
The Tuscaloosa Police Department handles arrests in the city. They keep arrest records and incident reports. These differ from court records. Police records cover the arrest. Court records cover the legal case after. You may need both for a complete picture of a felony in Tuscaloosa.
Contact the police records unit for arrest info. The main police number is (205) 349-2121. Ask about incident reports and booking records. Some records are public. Others need consent or a court order. Staff can tell you what they can release. Mugshots typically come from the jail.
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff runs the jail. They keep a jail roster online at tcsoal.org. You can see current inmates, charges, and bond amounts. The list updates often. This is free for checking recent arrests in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa as a College Town
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. The campus brings tens of thousands of students to the city. Football season sees large crowds. The city population swells during events. This adds to the caseload at the county court. Most student-related felonies are still handled at the county level.
The university has its own police force. They handle crimes on campus. But felony charges still go to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The county court processes all felony cases in the area. Campus police records are separate from city police records. Both feed into the county court system for felony matters.
Tuscaloosa sees spikes in certain crimes during football weekends. DUI and public disorder arrests rise. Some of these lead to felony charges. All felony records end up with the Circuit Clerk no matter when the arrest happened in Tuscaloosa.
What Tuscaloosa Felony Records Show
A felony record from Tuscaloosa has the full details of a criminal case. It starts with the charges. It ends when the case closes. All steps in between are in the file. Here is what you can find in Tuscaloosa felony records.
Tuscaloosa felony records include:
- Defendant's full name and birth date
- Arrest date and booking info
- Charges from the prosecutor
- Case number and assigned judge
- Hearing dates and court actions
- Motions filed by either side
- Verdict: guilty, not guilty, or dismissed
- Sentence if convicted
- Bond and release details
Felonies in Tuscaloosa cover the same crimes as the rest of Alabama. Murder and rape are Class A. Robbery and serious assault are Class B. Drug crimes range by type and amount. Under Code of Alabama Section 13A-5-6, Class A felonies bring 10 years to life. Class D brings 1 year and 1 day to 5 years.
Are Tuscaloosa 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 cases at Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. You do not need to be part of the case. You do not need a reason.
Some records have limits. Juvenile cases are sealed. Sealed cases by court order are not public. Expunged records are hidden from view. Social Security numbers may be blacked out. But most adult felony records are open in Tuscaloosa.
ALEA criminal history is not public. Only the subject or authorized users can access it. Misusing criminal records is a crime under Code of Alabama Section 41-9-601. Fines go from $5,000 to $10,000. Jail time can hit 5 years. Stick with Alacourt for public searches in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa Felony Expungement
Some felony records can be erased in Tuscaloosa. This is called expungement. Not all cases qualify. The rules are strict. If you meet them, you can ask a judge to seal your record. Once sealed, most background checks will not show it.
Under Code of Alabama Section 15-27, certain felonies can be expunged. Dismissed charges often qualify. Not guilty verdicts can be erased. Pardons with rights restored may allow some convictions to be expunged. Violent felonies usually cannot be sealed.
To start expungement in Tuscaloosa, file a petition at the Circuit Court. A judge reviews your case. If approved, agencies seal their records. ALEA updates its files after the order. The clerk seals the court file. The process takes months. A lawyer can help get it done right.
Legal Help in Tuscaloosa
Several groups in Tuscaloosa offer legal help. Some are free. Others have reduced rates. These can help with felony cases or record searches in Tuscaloosa.
Legal Services Alabama serves Tuscaloosa County. They help people who qualify by income. The statewide line is (866) 456-4995. Spanish speakers call (888) 835-3505. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info on free legal help in the Tuscaloosa area.
The Tuscaloosa County Bar Association can refer you to a lawyer. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. First meetings often have a set fee. The University of Alabama School of Law runs a clinic that may help some cases. The law library at the courthouse has forms and resources for felony record requests in Tuscaloosa.
Nearby Alabama Cities
Tuscaloosa is in west-central Alabama. Birmingham is about an hour east. Montgomery is roughly two hours southeast. Each city uses its county court for felony records. Here are links to nearby cities.
Tuscaloosa County Felony Records
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa County. All felony cases go through the county Circuit Court. The county serves the city and nearby areas. For full details on fees, court procedures, and other resources, see the Tuscaloosa County felony records page.