Search Dothan DUI Records

Dothan DUI records are maintained by the Municipal Court and Houston County Circuit Court. The city has about 72,000 residents. Dothan is primarily in Houston County, though parts extend into Dale and Henry Counties. This creates a multi-county jurisdiction for some cases. Misdemeanor DUI arrests go to Dothan Municipal Court. Felony cases are handled by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court.

Dothan Municipal Court

Dothan Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The court is part of the Judicial Department at 210 North Saint Andrews Street. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. You can call (334) 615-4150 to check on a DUI case or ask about court dates in Dothan.

The Municipal Court covers DUI cases from all parts of Dothan regardless of which county that section is in. For misdemeanor DUI, the city court handles everything. Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191, first through third offenses are misdemeanors. These stay at the Municipal Court level in Dothan.

A fourth DUI within ten years is a felony. Those cases go to the county circuit court. Most Dothan felony DUI cases go to Houston County since most of the city is there. But if the arrest was in the Dale County or Henry County part of Dothan, it would go to those courts instead.

Multi-County Jurisdiction

Dothan spans three counties. Most of the city is in Houston County. Smaller parts are in Dale County and Henry County. For misdemeanor DUI, this does not matter much. Dothan Municipal Court handles all city-level cases. The multi-county issue shows up at the felony level and for appeals.

For felony DUI cases, the county where the arrest occurred matters. If the arrest was in the Houston County part of Dothan, the case goes to Houston County Circuit Court. Dale County or Henry County arrests go to those Circuit Courts. The 20th Judicial Circuit covers both Houston and Henry Counties. Dale County is in the 33rd Circuit.

Appeals from Municipal Court also go to the county where the arrest was. If you appeal a DUI conviction from Dothan Municipal Court, you need to know which county handles it. The Dothan Police can tell you which county an arrest was in. This helps you know where to look for records.

How to Search Dothan DUI Records

Searching for DUI records in Dothan requires knowing which source to use. For misdemeanor cases, contact Dothan Municipal Court. For felony cases, you need to know which county. The city has a police records search option.

Dothan Police Department offers records searches. Visit dothan.org/210/Records-Searches for info. The police records show arrest details for DUI cases. This can tell you when and where an arrest happened. It also shows which county the arrest was in.

To search DUI records in Dothan, you need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if available
• Approximate date of arrest
• Case number if known

Alacourt is the state court records system. It covers Houston, Dale, and Henry Counties. Search by name or case number at pa.alacourt.com. The fee is $9.99 per name search. You may need to search multiple counties if you are not sure which one handled the case. Results show DUI charges, dates, and outcomes for Dothan cases.

Houston County DUI Records

Most Dothan felony DUI cases go to Houston County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Carla H. Woodall. The office is at 114 North Oates Street in Dothan. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Note that the building closes for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Call (334) 677-4800 to ask about DUI records.

The Houston County Sheriff keeps arrest records. Visit houstoncosoal.gov for info. Sheriff Donald Valenza runs the office. Contact them at (334) 677-4882 for arrest records. They can provide booking info for DUI cases that occurred in the Houston County part of Dothan.

The court website is at houston.alacourt.gov. This is where most Dothan residents will find their felony DUI records. The clerk can help you find case files and make copies.

View Houston County DUI Records

Dale and Henry Counties

Small parts of Dothan are in Dale County and Henry County. If a DUI arrest occurred in these areas, the felony case or appeal goes to those county courts instead of Houston County.

Dale County Circuit Court is in Ozark. The Circuit Clerk is Delores Woodham. The address is 3 East Court Square. Phone is (334) 774-5003. Hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The court website is at dale.alacourt.gov. Dale County is in the 33rd Judicial Circuit.

Henry County Circuit Court is in Abbeville. The Circuit Clerk is Kim Roland. The address is 101 West Court Square. Phone is (334) 585-2753. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The court website is at henry.alacourt.gov. Henry County is in the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Houston County.

Dothan Driving Records

Your driving record shows DUI convictions and license actions. A DUI conviction in Dothan appears on your motor vehicle record. It does not matter which county the arrest was in. The Alabama Driver License Division keeps one statewide record per driver.

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. Employers check MVRs when hiring for driving jobs in Dothan.

After a DUI conviction in Dothan, 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 regardless of which county handled the case.

Alabama DUI Laws

Alabama DUI law applies the same way in all parts of Dothan. 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. The county does not change the law.

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. All three county courts follow these state guidelines.

The 10-year look-back period applies. Alabama counts all DUI convictions within ten years for offense level. It does not matter which county the prior convictions were in. DUI convictions are permanent and cannot be expunged under the REDEEMER Act (Code Section 15-27-1).

State Criminal Records

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps the central database of all DUI convictions. This includes Dothan DUI records from all three counties. 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 Dothan. The statewide database combines records from all counties. You do not need separate searches for Houston, Dale, and Henry Counties at the ALEA level.

Legal Help in Dothan

Several groups offer legal help for DUI cases in Dothan. 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 Dothan area. They provide free legal help to those who qualify. Call (866) 456-4995 to check eligibility. The Houston 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 the relevant county Circuit Court about public defenders in Dothan. The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660 for finding a private attorney.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Dothan 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.