Criminal records in Covington County, Alabama, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CovingtonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Covington County. Additional access points include the Covington County Circuit Clerk's website, the Covington County Sheriff's Office, and the statewide Alacourt system.
How to Search Criminal Records in Covington
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Covington County, depending on what information you have and how you need the results.
Online Search Options
- CovingtonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Covington County.
- Alacourt.com — The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides on-demand access to state trial court records, including criminal cases filed in Covington County's 22nd Judicial Circuit and District Court. A subscription or per-search fee applies.
- Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Search for individuals currently incarcerated in the state prison system. This database does not include historical records or county jail inmates.
- Covington County Jail — Check the county jail page for information about individuals currently housed at the facility.
- Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal — Search dockets for cases that have been appealed to Alabama's appellate courts.
In Person
Visit the Covington County Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse to search court records using public access terminals or request assistance from staff.
Covington County Circuit Clerk
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include any applicable copy fees.
- State criminal history: Submit a request through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) background check program. Fingerprint-based checks are required for official criminal history reports.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Social Security Number (required only for ALEA background checks)
Search Covington Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific criminal case in Covington County.
Alabama case numbers follow a structured format that identifies the county, case type, and filing year. A typical case number includes:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county (Covington County is 20)
- Court designation — Indicates whether the case is in Circuit Court (CC) or District Court (DC)
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed
- Case sequence number — A sequential number assigned to each case within that year
For example, a case number like CC-2024-000123 would indicate a Circuit Court criminal case filed in 2024. When searching through the Alacourt system or at the clerk's office, entering the complete case number will return the exact record. Partial case numbers may not return results, so confirm the full number before searching.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Covington
Criminal case records in Covington County contain several categories of information. Here is what each data point means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Alabama Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., §13A-6-2 for murder) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or violation |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations or at the court's discretion |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations, including sentencing and fines, have been completed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, possible plea agreements, and trial preparation
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — The court checks on probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The case was dropped by the prosecution or the court
- Nolle prosequi — The state declined to prosecute
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Covington
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other formal purposes. The Covington County Circuit Clerk is the custodian of circuit and district court criminal records.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Covington County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can locate the case and prepare certified copies while you wait or within a few business days, depending on the request.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk specifying the defendant's name, case number, and the documents you need certified. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online: The Alacourt system allows registered users to view and purchase certain court documents. Certified copies with an official seal typically require an in-person or mail request.
State Criminal History Reports
For a formal criminal background check that covers statewide records, submit a request through ALEA's Criminal Records Identification Unit. This process requires fingerprinting and is the only way to obtain an official Alabama criminal history record.
Covington County Circuit Clerk's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Covington
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Covington County are set by Alabama statute and local court policy.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Standard rate under Alabama law (§12-19-310) |
| Certified court record copies | $1.00 per page plus certification fee | Certification fee varies; contact the clerk for the current amount |
| ALEA state background check | $25.00 | Fingerprint-based; submitted through ALEA or an authorized channeler |
| FBI national background check | Additional fee on top of ALEA | Required for some employment and licensing purposes |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Often available the same day or within 1–3 business days
- Mail requests to the Circuit Clerk: Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- ALEA background checks: Processing times vary; electronic submissions are generally faster than paper submissions
Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office typically include cash, check, and money order. Contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before submitting a request.