Houston County DUI Records Search

Houston County DUI records are maintained at the Circuit Clerk office in Dothan. The 20th Judicial Circuit handles all DUI cases filed in Houston County. This is one of the larger counties in southeast Alabama, home to Dothan and over 100,000 residents. The courthouse closes for lunch from noon to 1 PM, so plan your visit to the Houston County clerk office around that break.

Houston County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all DUI records in Houston County. Carla H. Woodall serves as clerk and runs the office that handles filings, stores records, and makes copies. Staff can help you find any DUI case in the system. The office sits on North Oates Street in downtown Dothan, right in the heart of Houston County.

Houston County has a busy court system due to its population. DUI arrests happen often, and each one creates a case file. First-time DUI offenses go to District Court in Houston County. Felony DUI charges, like a fourth offense, are heard in Circuit Court. Both use the same clerk office. All records become public once the case ends in Houston County.

Note that the Houston County courthouse closes from noon to 1 PM daily. Plan your visit for morning or afternoon hours. The clerk office is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM otherwise.

How to Search DUI Records

You can search Houston County DUI records online or in person. Online is faster and works anytime. In-person visits let you view full files and get certified copies. Both methods access the same DUI records database for Houston County going back many years.

Alacourt is the state system for court record searches. It covers all Houston County DUI cases. Go to pa.alacourt.com to start your search. Enter a name to find matching cases. Each search costs $9.99. The results show charges, case status, and outcomes. You can buy document images for $5.00 per batch. This is the quickest way to find DUI records in Houston County.

For in-person searches at the Houston County clerk office, go to 114 North Oates Street in Dothan. Bring your ID. Tell the clerk who you want to search. They can look up cases by name or case number. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Remember that the building closes for lunch. Morning visits work best for DUI record searches in Houston County.

What you need for a DUI record search:

• Full legal name of the person
• Date of birth if known
• Case number if you have it
• Year of the DUI arrest

Alabama DUI Laws

Houston County courts follow state DUI laws. Under Code of Alabama § 32-5A-191, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers cannot exceed 0.04%. All these standards apply to DUI cases in Houston County.

Alabama uses a 10-year look-back period. Courts in Houston County check for prior DUIs in the last 10 years when setting sentences. More priors mean harsher penalties. A fourth DUI within any time frame becomes a Class C felony. This can mean prison time for repeat offenders in Houston County.

DUI convictions in Houston County stay on your record forever. The 2021 REDEEMER Act lets some charges be sealed, but DUI convictions cannot be erased. Only cases that were dismissed or ended in not guilty verdicts may qualify for clearing from public records in Houston County.

DUI Penalties in Houston County

First-time DUI offenders in Houston County face up to a year in jail. Fines reach $2,100. Most first offenders get probation and DUI school instead of jail. License suspension is 90 days. The court may order community service or alcohol treatment as well in Houston County.

Second DUI offenses bring mandatory jail time in Houston County. The minimum is five days, and the maximum is one year. Fines go up to $5,100. Your license is suspended for one year. Third offenses require at least 60 days behind bars. Fines can hit $10,100. By the fourth DUI, you face a felony charge with one to ten years in prison. Houston County judges follow these state guidelines closely.

Beyond fines and jail, DUI costs add up fast in Houston County. Court fees, probation costs, and mandatory classes all have price tags. License reinstatement is $275. Ignition interlock devices cost money to install and maintain. Insurance rates spike for years. A DUI in Houston County can cost thousands when you add it all up.

Houston County Sheriff

The Houston County Sheriff makes many DUI arrests on county roads. Deputies handle traffic stops and suspected drunk drivers. Each arrest creates records that show the date, charges, and arresting officer. The sheriff keeps these arrest records while the court keeps case files for DUI matters in Houston County.

You can contact the sheriff for arrest info or jail booking details. Their website may have an inmate search. For court records showing case outcomes, check with the Circuit Clerk instead. Both offices serve the public and handle different parts of DUI records in Houston County.

DUI Record Fees

Houston County charges standard fees for DUI records. Online searches through Alacourt cost $9.99 per name. Document images are $5.00 for up to 20 pages. Additional pages cost $0.50 each. In-person copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies run $5.00 per document.

State agency records have separate fees. ALEA charges $5.75 for driving records and $25.00 for criminal history checks. These apply statewide, including for Houston County residents. Call ahead to confirm current fees before you request DUI records from any office in Houston County.

State DUI Resources

State agencies hold DUI records that may help Houston County residents. ALEA runs the central criminal database for all of Alabama. The court system keeps files for every county. Together these databases track DUI offenses across the state, including those in Houston County.

Key state resources include:

• ALEA Criminal Records for background checks
• Alacourt for court case searches
• Alabama Driver License Portal for driving records
• AlaPay for paying fines online

Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, most DUI records are public. Anyone can ask to see them in Houston County. Fees may apply, but access is available to all who request DUI records.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes the city of Dothan, which is the largest city in the Wiregrass region. All DUI cases from cities in Houston County go through the county court system. The Circuit Clerk handles records for the entire county.

Other cities in Houston County include Ashford, Cottonwood, Cowarts, and Taylor. All file DUI cases at the Houston County Circuit Court in Dothan.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Houston County. Each has its own court system for DUI records. Check the right county based on where the arrest took place.