Find Hoover DUI Records
Hoover DUI records are maintained by the Municipal Court and two different county courts. The city has about 93,000 residents. Hoover spans both Jefferson County and Shelby County. This makes DUI records more complex than in most cities. Misdemeanor DUI cases go to Hoover Municipal Court. Felony cases go to the county circuit court based on where the arrest occurred.
Hoover Quick Facts
Hoover Municipal Court
Hoover Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The court is at 100 Municipal Lane in Hoover. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. You can call (205) 444-7526 to check on a DUI case or ask about court dates. Staff can help you find case info if you have the name or case number.
The Municipal Court covers DUI cases from both the Jefferson County and Shelby County parts of Hoover. At this level, it does not matter which county the arrest was in. Misdemeanor DUI stays at the city court level. Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191, first through third offenses are misdemeanors in Alabama.
| Court | Hoover Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Municipal Lane Hoover, AL 35216 |
| Phone | (205) 444-7526 |
| court@hooveralabama.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Hoover Municipal Court |
Hoover has an online ticket payment system at hoovertickets.com. This works for traffic tickets and some fines. DUI cases require court appearance so you cannot just pay online. The court also offers traffic school for some violations, but this does not apply to DUI charges in Hoover.
Two County Jurisdiction
Hoover is one of few Alabama cities that spans two counties. Part of Hoover is in Jefferson County. Part is in Shelby County. For misdemeanor DUI, this does not matter much. The Hoover Municipal Court handles all city-level cases regardless of which county the arrest was in. The complexity shows up at the felony level.
For felony DUI cases in Hoover, the county matters a lot. If the arrest was in the Jefferson County part of Hoover, the case goes to Jefferson County Circuit Court. If it was in the Shelby County part, it goes to Shelby County Circuit Court. The arrest location determines which county handles the felony case. You need to know where the arrest happened.
Appeals from Municipal Court also go to the county where the arrest occurred. If you appeal a DUI conviction from Hoover Municipal Court, the appeal goes to the Circuit Court in the right county. This can affect fees, procedures, and which clerk office has the records. Always verify which county handled your DUI case in Hoover.
Jefferson County DUI Records
Felony DUI cases from the Jefferson County part of Hoover go to Jefferson County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk office is at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd North in Birmingham. The phone number is (205) 325-5355. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The court website is at jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov.
Jefferson County has two court divisions. Hoover is in the Birmingham Division, not the Bessemer Division. All felony DUI records for the Jefferson County part of Hoover are at the Birmingham courthouse. The clerk can help you find case files and make copies. The Jefferson County Sheriff also keeps arrest records at jeffcosheriffal.com.
Shelby County DUI Records
Felony DUI cases from the Shelby County part of Hoover go to Shelby County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Mary H. Harris, who has served for over 51 years. The office is at 112 North Main Street in Columbiana. The phone number is (205) 669-3760. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and the office stays open through lunch.
The Shelby County court website is at shelby.alacourt.gov. For arrest records, the Shelby County Sheriff has an inmate search at inmatelisting.shelbyal.com. The sheriff website is at shelbyso.com. Contact them at (205) 669-4181 for older arrest records from Hoover.
How to Search Hoover DUI Records
Searching for DUI records in Hoover requires knowing which source to use. For misdemeanor cases, contact Hoover Municipal Court. For felony cases, you need to know which county. Online searches can help you find both.
Alacourt is the state court records system. It covers both Jefferson County and Shelby County. You can search by name or case number at pa.alacourt.com. The fee is $9.99 per name search. Search both counties if you are not sure which one handled the case. Results show charges, court dates, and case outcomes.
To search DUI records in Hoover, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if available
- Approximate date of arrest
- Location of arrest if known
- Case number if available
The Hoover Police Department can tell you which county part of Hoover an arrest occurred in. Contact them if you are not sure. This helps you know which county court to check for felony records or appeals. The police records can also provide arrest details for DUI cases in Hoover.
Hoover Driving Records
Your driving record shows DUI convictions and license actions. A DUI conviction in Hoover 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 for each 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 Hoover.
After a DUI conviction in Hoover, 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 both parts of Hoover. 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. Both Jefferson and Shelby County courts follow these state guidelines for Hoover cases.
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 Hoover DUI records from both 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 Hoover. The statewide database makes it easy to see the full history. You do not need to search multiple counties separately at the ALEA level.
Legal Help in Hoover
Several groups offer legal help for DUI cases in Hoover. 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 Birmingham metro area including Hoover. They provide free legal help to those who qualify. Call (866) 456-4995 to check eligibility. The Birmingham Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (205) 251-8006 that covers both Jefferson and Shelby Counties. First meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes.
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. Contact the Municipal Court or the relevant county Circuit Court about public defenders for DUI cases in Hoover.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Hoover 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.