Criminal records in Cullman County, Alabama, can be accessed through several channels. CullmanCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Cullman County. Beyond that, the official state court system, local law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office at the Cullman County Courthouse all serve as access points for criminal record searches. Whether you need to look up a specific case, verify a charge, or obtain certified documents, multiple options are available depending on the type of record you need.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cullman
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Cullman County. Start by determining what information you have — a full name, date of birth, or case number will make any search more effective.
Online Search Options
- CullmanCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Cullman County.
- Alabama Administrative Office of Courts (Alacourt.com) — The state court system offers AlaFile for electronic court filings and AlaPay for online payments. Registered users can search court records across Alabama, including Cullman County's 32nd Judicial Circuit.
- Cullman County Circuit Court website — The official site for the Thirty-Second Judicial Circuit provides information about court operations, case types, and filing procedures.
- Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Search current state inmates by first name, last name, or both. This covers individuals serving sentences in state facilities, not county jail.
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — ALEA maintains the state criminal history repository. You can request criminal background checks and public records through their website.
In Person
- Visit the Cullman County Circuit Clerk's office at the Cullman County Courthouse.
- Request access to public court records or use any available public access terminals.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
For municipal-level misdemeanor cases and traffic violations, the City of Cullman Municipal Court maintains its own records. That office handles only Cullman municipal cases — not circuit court, district court, or records from other jurisdictions.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Cullman County Circuit Clerk specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- For state-level criminal history reports, submit a request to ALEA's Criminal Records Division. Fingerprint-based background checks require an applicant card and applicable fees.
What you need to begin a search:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Approximate date range of the offense or filing
Search Cullman Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, searching by that number is the most direct way to pull up a specific record. Alabama uses a standardized case number format across its courts.
A typical Alabama case number follows this pattern: CC-YYYY-NNNNNN.00
- CC — A two-letter prefix indicating the case type (e.g., "CC" for circuit criminal, "DC" for district criminal, "TR" for traffic)
- YYYY — The four-digit year the case was filed
- NNNNNN — A sequential number assigned to the case within that year
- .00 — A suffix that may indicate related counts or sub-cases
Common criminal case prefixes in Cullman County include:
| Prefix | Case Type |
|---|---|
| CC | Circuit Court Criminal (felonies) |
| DC | District Court Criminal (misdemeanors) |
| TR | Traffic |
| SM | Small Claims |
When searching by case number, enter it exactly as formatted — including dashes and any suffix. Partial case numbers may not return results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cullman
Criminal case records in Cullman County contain several data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
- Statute code — References the specific Alabama Code section (e.g., § 13A-6-1 for homicide offenses).
- Severity — Classified as felony (Class A, B, or C), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or violation.
- Amended charges — A charge may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations. The original and amended charges both typically appear on the record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Case is currently being adjudicated |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome |
| Closed | All matters in the case are concluded, including sentencing and compliance |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, possible plea agreements, and trial scheduling.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — The court checks compliance with probation, treatment, or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution declines to pursue the case |
| Youthful Offender | Defendant adjudicated under Alabama's Youthful Offender Act — these records are generally not public |
Juvenile records and Youthful Offender records are not public record in Alabama. Records sealed by court order are also restricted from public access.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cullman
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background verifications, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
- Cullman County Circuit Clerk — Handles certified copies of circuit and district court criminal records.
- ALEA — Issues official state criminal history reports based on name or fingerprint searches.
- City of Cullman Municipal Court Clerk — Provides records for municipal cases only.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Cullman County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request including the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Online (state level) — ALEA accepts background check requests through its website. Fingerprint-based checks require submission of a completed fingerprint card.
Standard court forms are available through the Alabama AOC E-Forms page.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Notarized authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person (for certain record types)
Office Contact Information
Cullman County Circuit Clerk
City of Cullman Municipal Court
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cullman
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks vary by the type of request and the issuing office. The following table reflects commonly applicable charges.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copy (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate under Alabama law (§ 12-19-310) |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per document | Added to copy costs for certified copies |
| ALEA name-based background check | $25.00 | Submitted to ALEA; fees may vary by request type |
| ALEA fingerprint-based background check | $39.50+ | Includes state and FBI processing fees |
| Municipal court record copy | Varies | Contact Cullman Municipal Court for current fees |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the clerk's workload.
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after receipt of the request and payment.
- ALEA background checks — Name-based checks may take 5–15 business days. Fingerprint-based checks can take several weeks, particularly when FBI processing is involved.
Payment methods accepted at the Cullman County Courthouse typically include cash, money orders, and certified checks. Ask the clerk's office whether personal checks or credit cards are accepted, as policies may change. For ALEA requests, payment instructions are provided on the ALEA website.