Criminal records in Dale County, Alabama, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DaleCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Dale County. You can also search through the Alabama state court portal, contact the Dale County Circuit Clerk's Office directly, or request criminal history reports from state law enforcement. Each method offers different levels of detail depending on the type of record you need.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dale County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Dale County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Search Through DaleCourt.us
Start at DaleCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Dale County. You can search using a person's name or case details to locate criminal case records.
Search Online Through Official Portals
- Alacourt.com / UJS Portal — The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides on-demand access to state trial court records, including Dale County criminal cases. Access is available one case at a time and may require a fee.
- Dale County Circuit Court website — The 33rd Judicial Circuit website provides information about the court system and links to court resources. The Circuit Clerk's page explains how the clerk's office maintains official court records.
- Alabama Appellate Courts — For cases that have been appealed, the Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal provides access to dockets. Document viewing and purchasing require registration.
- Alabama Department of Corrections — The ADOC Inmate Search tool lets you look up currently incarcerated individuals by name. Historical data is not available online.
- Sex Offender Registry — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sex Offender Registry allows searches for registered sex offenders statewide.
Search in Person
Visit the Dale County Circuit Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Ozark to access criminal case files. Public access terminals may be available, and staff can assist with locating records.
Search by Mail or Written Request
- Circuit Clerk's Office — Send a written request to the Dale County Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 580, Ozark, AL 36361. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available.
- State Criminal History — For a comprehensive criminal history report, submit a request to the ALEA Criminal Records Identification Unit. These requests typically require fingerprint submission.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Dale County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Alabama uses a standardized case numbering format across its trial courts. If you have a case number, it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record.
A typical Alabama case number follows this pattern:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county (Dale County is 22)
- Court division — Letters indicating the court type, such as CC for Circuit Court criminal cases or DC for District Court criminal cases
- Year — A two- or four-digit year indicating when the case was filed
- Sequence number — A unique number assigned to the case within that year
For example, a case number like 22-CC-2024-000123 would indicate a Circuit Court criminal case filed in Dale County in 2024. Enter this number exactly as formatted when searching through the Alacourt portal or when contacting the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dale County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | References the specific section of the Code of Alabama violated (e.g., § 13A-12-214) |
| Severity | Classified as felony (Class A, B, or C), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or violation |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or court rulings |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately |
Case Status
- Pending — Case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are currently underway
- Disposed — Case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All post-disposition requirements have been completed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally informed of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed (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 punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor probation compliance or other conditions
Court Results
- 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
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial on the merits
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dale County
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official seal and signature, making them acceptable for legal proceedings, background checks, and employment verification.
Where to Request
- Dale County Circuit Clerk's Office — The Circuit Clerk is the official record keeper for circuit and district court criminal cases in Dale County.
- ALEA Criminal Records Identification Unit — For statewide criminal history reports based on fingerprints, submit requests to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a return address. Include payment for applicable fees.
- State criminal history — Submit a fingerprint card and completed request form to ALEA. Requests may be submitted by mail or through authorized channelers.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- For self-requests through ALEA, a completed fingerprint card is required
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dale County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Standard copy rate per Alabama Code § 12-19-90 |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page plus certification fee | Certification fee varies; contact the clerk for the current amount |
| Alacourt online record access | Varies per search | Fee charged per case lookup through the state portal |
| ALEA state criminal history check | $25.00 | Fingerprint-based background check |
| ALEA name-based check | $15.00 | Less comprehensive than fingerprint-based |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on volume
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for the Circuit Clerk's Office to process and return records
- ALEA criminal history — Typically 5–10 business days, though processing times may vary
Contact the Dale County Circuit Clerk's Office directly to confirm current fees before submitting payment. Fees are subject to change and may vary based on the complexity of the request.