Find DUI Records in Decatur
Decatur DUI records are maintained by the Municipal Court and Morgan County Circuit Court. The city has about 58,000 residents. Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County and the largest city there. Misdemeanor DUI arrests in Decatur go to Municipal Court first. Felony DUI cases are handled by the 8th Judicial Circuit Court.
Decatur Quick Facts
Decatur Municipal Court
Decatur Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The court has two locations in Decatur. The main office is at 402 Lee Street NE on the 2nd Floor. The Annex location is at 300 Cain Street NE. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a lunch closure from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
DUI requires mandatory court appearance in Decatur. You cannot just pay a fine and be done with it. The judge must see you in person. This applies to all DUI cases regardless of offense level. Plan to attend all scheduled hearings. Missing a court date will result in a warrant for your arrest. The court takes DUI cases seriously in Decatur.
| Court | Decatur Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 402 Lee Street NE, 2nd Floor Decatur, AL 35601 |
| Annex | 300 Cain Street NE Decatur, AL 35601 |
| Phone | (256) 341-4676 |
| court@decatur-al.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Website | Decatur Municipal Court |
Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191, first through third DUI offenses are misdemeanors. These cases stay at the Municipal Court level unless serious injury is involved. A fourth DUI within ten years is a felony. Those cases go to Morgan County Circuit Court.
Two Court Locations
Decatur Municipal Court operates from two different buildings. The main office at 402 Lee Street handles most administrative matters. This is where you go for records requests, questions, and payments. The Annex at 300 Cain Street handles some court proceedings. Check your paperwork or call ahead to know which location for your specific need.
Both locations have the same phone number and email. Staff at either office can help direct you to the right place. If you are not sure which location to visit, call (256) 341-4676 first. They can tell you where to go based on your specific need. The two-location system helps the court manage its caseload in Decatur.
Keep in mind the lunch closure. Both offices close from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Plan your visit for morning or afternoon hours. If you arrive during the closure, you will need to wait until 12:30 PM to be helped. This applies to both DUI record requests and court appearances in Decatur.
How to Search Decatur DUI Records
You can search for DUI records in Decatur through several sources. Online searches provide basic case info. In-person visits let you see full court files. Each source has different data on DUI cases in Decatur.
Alacourt is the state court records system that covers Morgan County. It has both Municipal Court and Circuit Court cases. Search by name or case number at pa.alacourt.com. The fee is $9.99 per name search. This includes one case detail. More cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
To search DUI records in Decatur, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if available
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number if known
Morgan County also offers Online Traffic Resolution (OTR) for some cases. Visit traffic.alacourt.gov to check if your case qualifies. This can handle some traffic matters online. But DUI cases require mandatory court appearance in Decatur, so OTR does not apply to DUI charges.
Morgan County DUI Records
Felony DUI cases for Decatur go to Morgan County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Chris Priest. The office is at 302 Lee Street NE in Decatur. This is near the Municipal Court main office. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Call (256) 351-4790 to ask about felony DUI records.
A DUI becomes a felony after four convictions within ten years under Alabama law. Felony DUI is a Class C offense. The Circuit Court also handles DUI cases that involve serious injury or death. The court website is at morgan.alacourt.gov. The District Attorney website is at morgancountyda.com.
Morgan County Sheriff keeps arrest records. Visit morgancountysheriffal.gov for info. They can provide booking details and arrest records for DUI cases in Decatur. The sheriff handles arrests for all of Morgan County including the city of Decatur.
For full details on county-level DUI records, fees, and procedures, visit the Morgan County page.
Decatur Driving Records
Your driving record shows DUI convictions and license actions. A DUI conviction in Decatur appears on your motor vehicle record. The record shows any license suspension tied to the DUI. The Alabama Driver License Division keeps these records statewide.
Get your 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. Breath test refusals also appear. Employers check MVRs when hiring for driving jobs in Decatur.
After a DUI conviction in Decatur, license suspension applies. First offense: 90 days. Second offense: one year. Third or more: three years. The $275 reinstatement fee must be paid. An ignition interlock device may be required. These rules apply to all DUI cases in Decatur.
Alabama DUI Laws
Alabama DUI law applies the same way in Decatur as across the state. Under Code Section 32-5A-191, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. These limits apply to all DUI cases in Decatur.
Penalties increase with each offense. First DUI: up to one year jail and $2,100 fine. Second offense: up to one year 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. Decatur courts follow these state guidelines.
The 10-year look-back period is key. Alabama counts all DUI convictions within ten years for offense level. A 2017 DUI still counts if you get another in 2027. DUI convictions are permanent and cannot be expunged under the REDEEMER Act (Code Section 15-27-1). This applies to all DUI cases in Decatur.
State Criminal Records
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps the central database of all DUI convictions. This includes Decatur DUI records. ALEA records show convictions, not arrests. Request records at alea.gov. The fee is $25.00 for a criminal history check.
Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days. The record shows all Alabama convictions including DUI charges from Decatur. The ALEA database is the official source for criminal history in Alabama. Employers use this system for background checks on job applicants.
Legal Help in Decatur
Several groups offer legal help for DUI cases in Decatur. Some give free help to people with low income. Others charge fees. Talking to a lawyer helps you understand your options for a DUI case.
Legal Services Alabama serves the Decatur area. They provide free legal help to those who qualify. Call (866) 456-4995 to check eligibility. The Morgan County Bar Association can refer you to a DUI lawyer. Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has court forms you may need.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court must appoint one for criminal cases including DUI. Contact the Municipal Court or Circuit Court clerk about public defenders in Decatur. The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660 for finding a private attorney who handles DUI cases.
Are DUI Records Public?
Yes. DUI records in Decatur are public 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 public in Decatur.
Some records have limits on access. Juvenile DUI records are restricted. Some documents in pending cases may be sealed. But most adult DUI records in Decatur are fully public. Employers, landlords, and others search these records for background checks. The records stay on file permanently.
Request DUI records from the Municipal Court, Circuit Court, or sheriff. Each office has its own forms and fees. Alacourt provides online access to court records for a fee. ALEA handles official criminal background checks. All these sources have DUI records for Decatur cases.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Decatur 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.