Tuscaloosa DUI Records Search
Tuscaloosa DUI records are kept by the Municipal Court and Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The city has about 114,000 residents and is home to the University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa serves as the county seat. Misdemeanor DUI arrests go to Municipal Court first. Felony DUI cases are handled by the 6th Judicial Circuit Court in Tuscaloosa County.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Tuscaloosa Municipal Court
Tuscaloosa Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The court is at 2122 6th Street in Tuscaloosa. Hours are 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. The court opens early which makes it easier to handle morning business. You can call (205) 248-5330 to check on a DUI case or ask about court dates in Tuscaloosa.
DUI requires mandatory court appearance in Tuscaloosa. You cannot just pay a fine and be done. The judge must see you in court. This is true for all DUI cases in Tuscaloosa regardless of the offense level. Plan to attend all scheduled hearings. Missing a court date can result in a warrant for your arrest. The court takes DUI cases seriously in Tuscaloosa.
| Court | Tuscaloosa Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2122 6th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
| Phone | (205) 248-5330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Tuscaloosa Municipal Court |
Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191, first through third DUI offenses are misdemeanors. These stay at the Municipal Court level unless injury is involved. A fourth DUI within ten years is a felony. Those cases go to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The Municipal Court keeps records of all misdemeanor DUI cases in Tuscaloosa.
How to Search Tuscaloosa DUI Records
You can search for DUI records in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa.
Alacourt is the state court records system that covers Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if available
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number if known
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff keeps arrest records. Visit tcsoal.org for info. The sheriff office maintains over 15,000 outstanding warrants countywide. Contact them at (205) 752-0616 for arrest records. They can provide booking info and arrest details for DUI cases in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa County DUI Records
Felony DUI cases for Tuscaloosa go to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Magaria H. Bobo. The office is at 714 Greensboro Avenue, Room 214. The office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Call (205) 464-8260 to ask about DUI records in Tuscaloosa.
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 with serious injury or death. The court website is at tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov. Staff can help you find records if you have the name or case number.
Tuscaloosa is a major county with a large university. This means high volume during certain times of year. Allow extra time for records requests during busy periods. The clerk office handles all felony DUI records and can make certified copies for you.
For full details on county-level DUI records, fees, and court procedures, visit the Tuscaloosa County page.
University Area DUI Cases
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. This affects DUI case volume in the city. Game days and special events see more DUI arrests. The Municipal Court handles all these cases the same way. The location of arrest determines jurisdiction, not whether the person is a student.
DUI arrests on campus may involve the University of Alabama Police. These cases still go through Tuscaloosa Municipal Court or the county courts. The same Alabama DUI laws apply. BAC limits are 0.08% for those 21 and over. The limit is 0.02% for those under 21. These rules apply whether you are a student or not in Tuscaloosa.
Mandatory court appearance is required for all DUI cases in Tuscaloosa. This includes students. Missing court can result in additional penalties. A DUI conviction can affect scholarships, financial aid, and future opportunities. Anyone facing a DUI charge should take it seriously and appear for all court dates in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa Driving Records
Your driving record shows DUI convictions and license actions. A DUI conviction in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa.
After a DUI conviction in Tuscaloosa, license suspension periods apply. 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 for some cases.
Alabama DUI Laws
Alabama DUI law applies the same way in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa.
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. Tuscaloosa courts follow these state guidelines.
The 10-year look-back period matters. Alabama counts all DUI convictions within ten years for offense level. A prior DUI from 2017 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).
State Criminal Records
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps the central database of all DUI convictions. This includes Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa. 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 Tuscaloosa
Several groups offer legal help for DUI cases in Tuscaloosa. Some give free help to people with low income. Others charge fees for services. Talking to a lawyer helps you understand your options for a DUI case in Tuscaloosa.
Legal Services Alabama serves the Tuscaloosa area. They provide free legal help to those who qualify based on income. Call (866) 456-4995 to check eligibility. The Tuscaloosa 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 court clerk about public defenders in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660 for finding a private attorney.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Tuscaloosa 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.