St. Clair County DUI Records

St. Clair County DUI records are kept at two courthouse locations. This county has dual county seats in Ashville and Pell City. The 30th Judicial Circuit handles all DUI cases filed in St. Clair County. Where you get records depends on where the arrest took place. The county opened a new jail in 2023. All DUI convictions in St. Clair County are public and stay on file for life under Alabama law.

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk in St. Clair County keeps all DUI court records. There are two offices to serve the whole county. The Ashville office handles cases from the north. The Pell City office handles cases from the south. Staff at both locations can look up records and make copies. Both offices have the same hours and fees for DUI records in St. Clair County.

In St. Clair 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 either office. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Call ahead to confirm which office has your records. The Pell City location tends to be busier. The Ashville office is smaller but often has shorter wait times in St. Clair County.

How to Search DUI Records

You can search for DUI records in St. Clair County online or in person. Online searches work for basic case info. In-person visits let you see the full file. Both methods give you access to DUI records going back many years. The method you pick depends on what you need in St. Clair County.

Alacourt is the state court records system that covers St. Clair County. It has all DUI cases from the 30th 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 search St. Clair County DUI records online.

To search DUI records in St. Clair County, you need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth helps narrow results
• Case number if available
• Location of the arrest (Ashville or Pell City area)

You can also visit either courthouse in St. Clair County to search in person. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Bring your ID with you. The clerk can search by name or case number. If you go to the wrong office, they can tell you which one has your records. Old records may take more time to find, but St. Clair County keeps DUI records for decades.

Alabama DUI Laws

DUI laws in Alabama apply to all St. Clair 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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair 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. St. Clair County courts follow these state rules for all DUI cases.

Key facts about DUI records in St. Clair 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 St. Clair County. You do not have to be a party to the case. This open records law helps people check DUI history for jobs, housing, and other needs.

St. Clair County Sheriff Office

The St. Clair County Sheriff makes DUI arrests across 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. St. Clair County opened a new jail in 2023 with updated inmate tracking systems.

You can contact the sheriff office for arrest info in St. Clair 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 St. Clair County but keep different types of records.

DUI Record Fees

St. Clair County has set fees for DUI records and court copies. These fees are the same at both the Ashville and Pell City offices. Costs can change, so call to check current rates. Most people pay by cash or money order in St. Clair County.

Main fees for DUI records in St. Clair 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 St. Clair County and statewide, go through ALEA. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency runs background checks for $25.00. This shows all DUI convictions on file. Visit alea.gov to learn more about statewide DUI records that include St. Clair County data.

State DUI Record Resources

Several state agencies can help you find DUI records from St. Clair County. These cover the whole state and include local 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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair County residents.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Clair County. Check the arrest location to find the right county for records. DUI cases are filed where the arrest happened.