Court records of Lee County, Alabama, are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. LeeALCourt.us allows you to find public information about the court records of this county. Additional information can be obtained through the Lee County Circuit Clerk's website, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts portal, and in person at the T.K. Davis Justice Center in Opelika.
Lee Court System Overview
Lee County is part of the 37th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. This judicial circuit exclusively covers Lee County. The Circuit Court handles serious criminal and civil cases, while the District Court deals with less severe offenses, traffic cases, and small claims. The Magistrate Division operates within the District Court and is responsible for issuing warrants and conducting preliminary hearings. The court is located at the T.K. Davis Justice Center.
Courts Serving Lee
Residents of Lee County are served by several courts with different levels of jurisdiction.
Lee County Circuit Court (37th Judicial Circuit)
Lee County District Court
Opelika Municipal Court
The clerk of the municipal court is Dorothy Daniels. More details can be found on the Municipal Court page of the city of Opelika.
U.S. District Court — Middle District of Alabama
Lee County belongs to the Middle District of Alabama, where federal bankruptcy cases are also heard.
What Types of Cases Lee Courts Hear
Lee County courts hear a wide range of cases. Criminal categories include felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions, including traffic offenses. Civil jurisdiction covers claims of any amount, small claims, as well as family law — divorce, custody, child support. The Probate Court operates separately for matters of inheritance, guardianship, and conservatorship, and the Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors, including child protection and adoption.
District Court Cases in Lee
The District Court of Lee County handles criminal misdemeanors, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and civil claims up to a certain amount. After a preliminary hearing, a felony case is transferred to the Circuit Court, where it is heard by a Circuit Court judge. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the District Court and conducts post-conviction proceedings. Cases are assigned to judges according to the court's internal rules. The process begins with the filing of an indictment or civil complaint, after which a judge is appointed and a hearing schedule is set.
Magistrate Court Cases in Lee
Magistrates in Lee County conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases, handle misdemeanors, and issue arrest warrants. It is important to know: an arrest warrant is not a public document until it is executed. Traffic cases — from speeding to driving under the influence — also fall under the Magistrate Division. According to Alabama law, the District Court hears civil cases up to $20,000, and small claims up to $6,000. If a person fails to appear at a scheduled traffic court hearing, the court may issue an arrest warrant and suspend the driver's license.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Lee
Family Law. Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders are handled by the Circuit Court. For uncontested divorces, there is a 30-day waiting period after filing before a judge signs the decree. More details can be found on the Domestic Relations page of Lee County. Divorce certificates can also be ordered through the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Probate Matters. The Probate Court of Lee County separately handles matters of inheritance, guardianship, and conservatorship. This court is not part of the Circuit or District Court structure.
Juvenile Matters. Cases involving minors — from offenses to child protection and adoption — are heard in the Juvenile Division. Records in such cases are confidential under Alabama law.
How Cases Move Through the Lee Court System
- Initiation of a Case. A criminal case begins with a complaint or warrant; a civil case with a complaint; a family case with a petition.
- Assignment of a Judge. The clerk's office assigns the case to a specific judge according to the internal schedule.
- Initial Hearing. In criminal cases, this is the arraignment; in civil cases, a planning conference.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties file motions, conduct discovery, and in criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a jury verdict, guilty plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. The convicted person is sentenced; in civil cases, the judgment is enforced or appealed through the Alabama Appellate Courts portal.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Lee
The courts of Lee County are administered under the supervision of the administrative judge of the 37th Judicial Circuit. General administrative rules and court case statistics are published by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, and specific county information is available on the Lee County Circuit Clerk's website.
Under the Alabama Open Records Act (Act 2024-278, effective October 1, 2024), Alabama residents have the right to inspect and obtain copies of public documents. The Lee County Sheriff's Office accepts records requests in accordance with this law. Municipal records of the city of Opelika can be requested through the Opelika public records request portal.
Hearings are generally open to the public and are held in person at the T.K. Davis Justice Center. For clarification on the possibility of remote participation, contact the clerk's office at (334) 737-3660.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Lee
- Court Case Search. The Alacourt.com portal provides access to Alabama trial court records on a subscription basis. Registration allows viewing of case data and statistics.
- Records Requests. Media requests for Lee County court records are processed through the Circuit Clerk's website. Ordinary citizens can contact the office in person or by phone.
- Opelika Police Reports. The Records and Reports Division of Opelika Police maintains all reports generated by the city police. Criminal case materials are issued only with proper authorization.
- Inmate Search. The Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search tool allows you to find information about individuals currently in state correctional facilities. Historical data is currently unavailable online.
- Law Enforcement Resources. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) coordinates the work of the Department of Public Safety, including criminal history checks.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates related to events in Alabama can be ordered through the ADPH Center for Health Statistics. The search fee is $15.00 per record, according to the official request form.
- County Health Services. The Lee County Health Department provides clinical and environmental services to county residents.
- General Information about the Court System. The official Alabama Judicial System portal contains information about court structure, rules, and self-help resources for court participants.