Search Birmingham DUI Records

Birmingham DUI records are kept by the Municipal Court and Jefferson County Circuit Court. The city is the largest in Alabama with about 196,000 people. Misdemeanor DUI arrests in Birmingham go to Municipal Court first. Felony DUI cases go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for prosecution. Both courts maintain public records of all DUI cases filed in Birmingham.

Birmingham Municipal Court

Birmingham Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The court is at 801 17th Street North in downtown Birmingham. Staff process new arrests daily. The court is open from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. You can call ahead to check on a case or ask about court dates for DUI charges in Birmingham.

The Municipal Court has its own records system for DUI cases in Birmingham. Misdemeanor DUI stays at this level unless the driver has prior convictions or the case involves injury. Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191, a fourth DUI within ten years becomes a felony. Those cases move to Jefferson County Circuit Court. The Municipal Court keeps records of all first, second, and third DUI offenses that stay at the city level in Birmingham.

The court allows online searches for some case info. You can look up traffic tickets and court dates on the city website. For full DUI records in Birmingham, you may need to visit in person or contact the clerk by phone. The online system shows basic case data but not all court documents. Bring a valid ID when you go to the court to request DUI records in Birmingham.

How to Search Birmingham DUI Records

You can search for DUI records in Birmingham through several sources. The method you pick depends on what you need. Online searches work well for basic case info. In-person visits let you see court files and get copies. Each source has different data on DUI cases in Birmingham.

Alacourt is the state court records system that covers all of Jefferson County. It has DUI cases from both Birmingham Municipal Court and the Circuit Court. You can search by name or case number at pa.alacourt.com. The site charges $9.99 per name search. This fee includes one case detail. More cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. The system shows DUI charges, court dates, and case outcomes for Birmingham cases.

To search DUI records in Birmingham, you need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if you have it
• Approximate date of the arrest
• Case number if known

The Jefferson County Sheriff also keeps arrest records. The inmate search at sheriff.jccal.org shows current bookings. This includes recent DUI arrests in Birmingham. For older arrest records, contact the sheriff records unit at (205) 325-5900. They can provide booking information and arrest details for DUI cases that occurred in Birmingham.

Birmingham DUI Pretrial Diversion

Birmingham offers a pretrial diversion program for first-time DUI offenders. This program lets some people avoid a DUI conviction on their record. The District Attorney has authority to offer diversion under Alabama Code Section 12-17-226. Not everyone qualifies. The program has strict rules.

To qualify for diversion in Birmingham, you must have no prior DUI arrests. Your BAC must be under a certain limit. There can be no accident or injury involved. The program requires completion of alcohol education classes, community service, and a probation period. If you complete all steps, the DUI charge may be dismissed. This is one of the few ways to avoid a permanent DUI record in Birmingham.

Keep in mind that diversion is not automatic. The DA reviews each case. Even if you qualify, there is no guarantee of acceptance. If you fail to complete the program, the original DUI charge goes back to court in Birmingham. Talk to a lawyer about whether diversion makes sense for your situation. Contact the Jefferson County District Attorney for more details on the program requirements in Birmingham.

Jefferson County DUI Records

Felony DUI cases for Birmingham go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk keeps all felony DUI records at the courthouse at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd North. The Birmingham Division handles cases for the east side of the county, which includes Birmingham. Staff can help you find DUI records and make copies of court files.

A DUI becomes a felony in Alabama after four convictions within ten years. Felony DUI is a Class C offense under state law. The Circuit Court also handles DUI cases that involve serious injury or death. These cases have longer records with more court documents. The clerk office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. You can reach them at (205) 325-5355 to ask about felony DUI records in Birmingham.

The Jefferson County Sheriff maintains arrest records for all DUI bookings in the county. This includes Birmingham arrests made by city police. The sheriff website has an inmate lookup tool. For older records, you can submit a request to the sheriff records division. DUI arrest records show the date, charges, and booking details for cases in Birmingham.

For full details on county-level DUI records, fees, and court procedures, visit the Jefferson County page.

View Jefferson County DUI Records

State Criminal Records Check

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps a central database of all DUI convictions in the state. This includes Birmingham DUI records. ALEA records show convictions, not just arrests. The record will show the date, charge, and court outcome. You can request your own record or someone else's with proper consent.

A criminal history check through ALEA costs $25.00. The process takes about 5 to 10 business days. You can start the request at alea.gov. The record shows all Alabama convictions, including DUI charges from Birmingham. For faster results, use the online background check system if you are an employer or have consent from the person being checked.

DUI convictions are permanent in Alabama. They cannot be expunged under the REDEEMER Act (Code Section 15-27-1). This means a DUI conviction will show up on your criminal record forever. The state uses a 10-year look-back period for sentencing. Your fourth DUI within ten years becomes a felony, no matter where in Alabama the offenses occurred, including Birmingham.

Birmingham Driving Records

Your driving record shows DUI convictions and license actions. The Alabama Driver License Division maintains these records. A DUI conviction in Birmingham will appear on your motor vehicle record (MVR). The record also shows any license suspension or revocation tied to the DUI case.

You can get your own driving record at alabamadl.alea.gov. The fee is $5.75 for a standard MVR. The record shows convictions, points, and license status. DUI convictions add 6 points to your license. If you refused a breath test, that appears on the record too. Employers often check MVRs as part of hiring for driving jobs in Birmingham.

After a DUI conviction in Birmingham, your license may be suspended. First offense: 90 days. Second offense: one year. Third or more: three years. To get your license back, you must pay a $275 reinstatement fee. You may also need to install an ignition interlock device. These requirements apply to all DUI cases in Birmingham and across Alabama.

Alabama DUI Laws

Alabama DUI law applies the same way in Birmingham as in the rest of the state. Under Code Section 32-5A-191, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.02%. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. These rules apply to all DUI cases in Birmingham.

Penalties increase with each offense. A first DUI can bring up to one year in jail and a $2,100 fine. Second offense: up to one year in jail and $5,100 fine. Third offense: up to one year and $10,100 fine. Fourth offense is a felony with one to ten years in prison. Birmingham courts follow these state guidelines when sentencing DUI cases.

The 10-year look-back rule is key. Alabama counts all DUI convictions within ten years to set the offense level. A DUI from 2016 still counts if you get another DUI in 2026. This applies to convictions in any Alabama court, including Birmingham. Out-of-state DUI convictions may also count depending on the circumstances.

Legal Help in Birmingham

Several groups offer legal help for DUI cases in Birmingham. Some give free help to people with low income. Others charge fees for services. If you face a DUI charge, talking to a lawyer can help you understand your options for handling the case in Birmingham.

Legal Services Alabama has an office in Birmingham. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call (205) 328-3540 or the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995. The Birmingham Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (205) 251-8006. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. This can help you find a DUI lawyer in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program helps low-income residents at no cost. Call (205) 250-5198 to see if you qualify. For court forms, Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has documents you may need. The Jefferson County Law Library at (205) 325-5628 can also help you find forms and understand court procedures for DUI cases in Birmingham.

Are DUI Records Public?

Yes. DUI records in Birmingham are public records under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Anyone can request them. You do not have to be the person named in the record. Court files, arrest records, and conviction data are all available to the public in Birmingham.

Some info may be restricted. Juvenile DUI records have limits on access. Pending cases may have some documents sealed. But most DUI records for adults in Birmingham are fully public. Employers, landlords, and others can search these records as part of background checks. The records are permanent and cannot be removed.

You can request DUI records from the Municipal Court, Circuit Court, or sheriff. Each office may have different forms and fees. Alacourt provides online access to court records for a fee. For official background checks, use the ALEA system. All of these sources have DUI records for Birmingham cases.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Birmingham and also have DUI records at the local level. Each city has its own municipal court for misdemeanor cases. Felony DUI cases go to the county circuit court based on where the arrest occurred.