A case that starts at the Daphne Police Department Jail can stay local or go to the county. Misdemeanors and traffic charges from inside Daphne city limits go to Daphne Municipal Court, which is meeting at the Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL 36526, during renovations. Felonies and other state charges move to the Baldwin County courts in Bay Minette, Fairhope or Foley. These two videos show how either path unfolds.
The English video explains the Alabama process at the municipal, district and circuit levels: what happens right after arrest, how bond is handled at the first appearance, what the hearings are for, how a plea or trial works, and how sentencing ends the case. The Daphne magistrate's office, 251-620-0500, fields questions about a city case. Your attorney, not this overview, should guide any decision.
Para las familias hispanohablantes de Daphne y la costa este de la bahía de Mobile, este video repasa cada etapa del caso con el mismo detalle que el de inglés. Es información general y no sustituye a un abogado.
Does a Daphne arrest stay with the city judge or move to Baldwin County?
While the Justice Center is renovated, where does Daphne Municipal Court sit?
Which office handles calls on city charges in Daphne?
Which payment methods does Daphne accept for tickets?
Where would a Daphne felony be prosecuted?
If someone loses in Daphne Municipal Court, can they appeal?
How do families locate a county court date after a Daphne arrest?
Who represents a Daphne defendant who can't afford a lawyer?
Is there more on Jail Exchange about the Daphne city jail?
How can the videos below help with a Daphne case?
Ordinance, misdemeanor and traffic charges written within Daphne or its police jurisdiction remain with the municipal judge. Felonies and other state offenses are sent up to the county courts.
At the Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL 36526, every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.; arrive for check-in from 3:30.
The magistrate's office, 251-620-0500, court@daphneal.com, based at 1502 US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL 36526. Staff at the Civic Center can't help with court matters.
Pay online, at the window, through the mail by money order or cashier's check, or over the phone at 251-262-6200, where cards carry a 4.5% fee.
Before Baldwin's 28th Judicial Circuit: 312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10, Bay Minette, AL 36507, 251-937-0280, or a satellite in Fairhope or Foley.
Yes, a city conviction can go to circuit court, but the window is brief, so confirm the deadline with the magistrate. Holds at the Daphne lockup are confirmed by phone: 251-620-0550.
State-level cases appear on Alacourt. City dockets won't show there; the magistrate's office keeps those.
In state court, Alabama's Office of Indigent Defense Services (334-242-7059) pays appointed counsel. City cases are funded locally, so ask the magistrate how Daphne handles them.
Try Daphne bond instructions, the city jail inmate search, and Daphne booking reports.
The English video tracks municipal, district and circuit stages through sentencing, and the Spanish video gives Mobile Bay's Spanish-speaking families that same roadmap.