Lamar County DUI Records

Lamar County DUI records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Vernon. The 24th Judicial Circuit handles all DUI cases in this small county on the Mississippi border. The clerk office is currently moving to a new location, so call ahead before visiting. All court records for DUI cases are public and available to anyone in Lamar County.

Lamar County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk handles all DUI court records in Lamar County. Mary Ann Jones serves as clerk. The office files cases, stores court documents, and makes copies for the public. Staff can help you find any DUI record in the system. The current address is on 1st Street NE in Vernon, but the office is moving to Butler Circle SW.

DUI cases in Lamar County follow state procedures. First-time offenses typically go to District Court. Felony charges like a fourth DUI are heard in Circuit Court. Both use the same clerk office. All records become public once the case ends in Lamar County. You can request them at any time.

How to Search DUI Records

You can search Lamar County DUI records online or in person. Online is easier since the office is relocating. In-person visits let you view full files once you find the office. Both methods access the same DUI records for Lamar County going back years.

Alacourt is the state system for court records. It includes all Lamar County DUI cases. A search costs $9.99 per name. Results show charges, case status, and outcomes. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. Visit pa.alacourt.com to search Lamar County DUI records online.

For in-person visits, call the clerk at (205) 695-7193 first. Confirm the current address since the office is moving. Bring your ID and the name you want to search. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Copy fees apply for documents you need from Lamar County.

What you need for a search:

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

Alabama DUI Laws

Lamar County follows state DUI laws. Under Code of Alabama § 32-5A-191, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more is illegal. Drivers under 21 have a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. These standards apply to all DUI cases in Lamar County.

Alabama has a 10-year look-back period. Courts in Lamar County check for prior DUIs in the last decade when setting sentences. More priors mean stiffer penalties. A fourth DUI becomes a felony regardless of when past offenses occurred. This history appears in Lamar County DUI records.

DUI convictions are permanent under Alabama law. They cannot be erased from your record in Lamar County. The REDEEMER Act lets some charges be sealed, but not DUI convictions. Only dismissed cases may qualify for clearing.

DUI Penalties in Lamar County

First-time DUI offenders in Lamar County face up to one year in jail. Fines can reach $2,100. Most get probation and DUI school instead. License suspension is 90 days. Judges may add community service or treatment requirements.

Second offenses bring mandatory jail time in Lamar County. The minimum is five days, with a maximum of one year. Fines reach $5,100. License suspension lasts one year. Third offenses require at least 60 days in jail. Fines can hit $10,100. A fourth DUI is a felony with one to ten years in prison possible. Lamar County courts follow these state guidelines.

Other costs add up after a DUI. Court fees, probation costs, and classes all have price tags. License reinstatement is $275. Ignition interlock devices cost money to install. Insurance rates rise for years. A DUI in Lamar County can cost thousands in total.

Lamar County Sheriff

The Lamar County Sheriff handles many DUI arrests on county roads. Deputies patrol the area and make traffic stops. When they arrest someone for DUI, records are created. The sheriff keeps arrest info while the court keeps case files in Lamar County.

Contact the sheriff for arrest details or to check on someone in custody. For court records with case outcomes, go to the Circuit Clerk instead.

DUI Record Fees

Lamar County charges standard fees for records. Online searches via Alacourt cost $9.99 per name. Document images are $5.00 for up to 20 pages. Extra pages are $0.50 each. In-person copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document.

State fees are separate. ALEA charges $5.75 for driving records and $25.00 for criminal history checks. Call the Lamar County clerk to confirm current fees before making a request.

State DUI Resources

State agencies hold DUI records beyond local storage. ALEA runs the central criminal database. The court system keeps files statewide. These track DUI offenses across Alabama, including Lamar County.

State resources:

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

DUI records are public under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40. Anyone can request them from Lamar County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lamar County. Each has its own court system for DUI records.