Search Russell County DUI Records
Russell County DUI records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Phenix City. The 26th Judicial Circuit handles all DUI cases filed in this east Alabama county on the Georgia border. Records include arrest data, court filings, and final outcomes. Russell County is in the Eastern Time Zone, so office hours differ from most of Alabama. All DUI convictions in Russell County are public and stay on file for life under state law.
Russell County Quick Facts
Important: Eastern Time Zone
Russell County is one of the few Alabama counties in the Eastern Time Zone. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time. If you are calling from Central Alabama, add one hour to your local time. Plan visits with this in mind to avoid arriving when the office is closed.
Russell County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk in Russell County keeps all DUI court records. Jody Sellers is the current clerk. Her office handles case filings, stores court files, and provides copies of DUI records. Staff can help you find old cases and new ones alike. The office is on 14th Street in Phenix City. You can also email the clerk at jody.sellers@alacourt.gov with records questions.
In Russell County, DUI records include the arrest report, court filings, and final judgment. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. Copies cost $1.00 per page at the office. Certified copies cost more. The office opens at 8:30 AM Eastern Time, which is 7:30 AM Central Time. This can be confusing for visitors from other parts of Alabama. Call ahead to confirm hours in Russell County.
| Circuit Clerk | Jody Sellers |
|---|---|
| Address |
501 14th Street Phenix City, AL 36867 |
| Phone | (334) 298-0516 |
| jody.sellers@alacourt.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time |
| Website | russell.alacourt.gov |
How to Search DUI Records
You can search for DUI records in Russell County online, by email, or in person. Online searches work best for basic case info. Email is good for quick questions. In-person visits let you see the full file. All three methods give you access to DUI records going back many years in Russell County.
Alacourt is the state court records system that covers Russell County. It has all DUI cases from the 26th Judicial Circuit. You can search by name or case number. The fee is $9.99 per name search. This includes one case view. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for 1-20 pages. Visit pa.alacourt.com to start your search for Russell County DUI records from home.
To search DUI records in Russell County, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth helps narrow results
- Case number if you have it
- Approximate date of arrest
You can also email the clerk at jody.sellers@alacourt.gov to ask about records in Russell County. Include the person's name and any other details you have. The clerk may confirm if a case exists and guide you on next steps. For copies, you still need to pay the fee. In-person visits to Phenix City are also an option. Just remember the Eastern Time Zone when planning your trip to Russell County.
Alabama DUI Laws
DUI laws in Alabama apply to all Russell County cases. Under Code of Alabama § 32-5A-191, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers have a 0.04% limit. These rules apply to every DUI arrest in Russell County.
Alabama uses a 10-year look-back period for DUI sentencing. Prior DUI convictions from the past 10 years count toward enhanced penalties. A first DUI is a misdemeanor in Russell County. A second DUI within 10 years brings harsher fines and more jail time. A third DUI can mean up to a year in jail. A fourth DUI within 10 years becomes a Class C felony with up to 10 years in prison. Russell County courts follow these state rules for all DUI cases.
Key facts about DUI records in Russell County:
- DUI convictions are permanent in Alabama
- DUI cannot be expunged under the REDEEMER Act
- Only dismissed charges may be cleared
- Records are public under state law
Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, court records are public. Anyone can ask to see DUI case files in Russell County. You do not have to be a party to the case. This open records law helps people check on DUI history for jobs, housing, and other needs.
Russell County Sheriff Office
The Russell County Sheriff makes DUI arrests in the county. Deputies patrol roads and respond to calls about drunk drivers. When they make a DUI arrest, an arrest record is created. This record is separate from the court case file. The sheriff keeps booking info and arrest logs in Russell County.
You can contact the sheriff office for arrest info in Russell County. They may have records of recent DUI arrests that have not yet gone to court. The office can also tell you if someone is in jail on a DUI charge. For older cases and court outcomes, the Circuit Clerk is the better source. Both offices work together on DUI enforcement in Russell County but keep different types of records.
| Sheriff Phone | (334) 298-6535 |
|---|---|
| Website | rcso.org |
DUI Record Fees
Russell County has set fees for DUI records and court copies. These fees apply at the Circuit Clerk office in Phenix City. Costs can change, so call or email to check current rates. Most people pay by cash or money order. Some offices take cards, but check first in Russell County.
Main fees for DUI records in Russell County:
- Alacourt online search: $9.99 per name
- Document images online: $5.00 for 1-20 pages
- In-person copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- ALEA criminal history: $25.00
- Driver record (MVR): $5.75
For a complete criminal history that includes DUI arrests from Russell County and statewide, go through ALEA. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency runs background checks for $25.00. This shows all DUI convictions on file in the state. Visit alea.gov to learn more about statewide DUI records that include Russell County data.
State DUI Record Resources
Several state agencies can help you find DUI records from Russell County. These cover the whole state and include Russell County data. Use them when you need more than court records or want to check full DUI history across Alabama.
The main state resources for DUI records:
- ALEA Criminal Records for background checks
- Alacourt Public Access for court case searches
- Alabama DL Portal for driving records
- AlaPay for paying court fines
In Russell County, most people start with Alacourt for DUI case info. If you need the full picture, add a driving record from ALEA. The driving record shows license actions like suspensions from DUI arrests. It costs $5.75 and can be ordered online. For jobs that require background checks, the $25.00 ALEA criminal history is the most complete option for Russell County residents.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Russell County. Check the arrest location to find the right county for records. DUI cases are filed where the arrest happened. Note that some border Georgia.