Mobile County District Courthouse - Mobile, Alabama

blu3roseflower

Judges are a joke and so is the law. “Let me think about my decision” I already knew the outcome with that statement.

Laugh B.

Incredibly poor communication, customer service, consistency between calls, and organization.

1. To file in small claims court, you have to pay in EXACT cash, no card. I think this is defiantly something you should have on the website or on a sign at the clerk office, easy to read, or at least mention on the phone call when I asked for any nuances to follow procedure. Not wait until someone gets to your window after waiting an hour in line.

2. My court date got changed last minute. I arrived for the new date at the court room location, and as the judge read out names of people who should be here, they did not say my name. I raised my hand and noted my papers said this was the right room, and they said "Oh, yeah, you're supposed to meet at this room number instead." So they changed the COURT ROOM last minute same day, and I was almost late to my own case. No apologies for their inability to update us or any announcement in the old court room about the room change. In the new court location, some other people who came in late (for same reason as me. They were given the wrong court room number) asked if this was the room for _____, and the judge ignored them and continued to talk to us, the people who were already there. I feel this is incredibly inconsiderate and misleading because it was the court that made the mistake and had those people miss their court time, not the people.

3. It does not feel like this courthouse follows/knows of proper procedures of courthouses. When I wanted a defendant asset hearing, which Alabama courts can provide, the Mobile AL courthouse clerk said they had never heard of that, or even being able to watch other small claims cases, yet I could walk in and do literally that on my court date without verification I was a defendant of plaintiff. Other courts offer that as well. I think Mobile AL courthouse can offer it; the clerks are just unaware they do and use "You can't do that because I've never heard of it" until you reach the right clerk who knows what is going on and does not hate everyone and their job. I really think Mobile AL courthouse should have all their clerks under consistent training to be consistent for the public. This is not "We do not offer legal help." This is improper and inconsistent knowledge of your courthouse's own forms and resources for the public, your very job to know and learn!

4. After my defendant did not pay after a certain time frame, I asked if this means this unsatisfied judgement is under his record. The in person clerk said yes. Later, on the Mobile AL courthouse website FAQ page, it said I needed a "certificate of judgment" from the courthouse clerk to actually put the unsatisfied judgement into record. I called the courthouse and got a different clerk who said I need to pay $5 to get the certificate of judgment "form to fill out" and send back. After paying, instead of the court sending me a form, they sent me a statement letter. I called the courthouse and got a *different* clerk who was already angry with attitude the moment she picked up the phone. I noted the previous clerk said it would be a form that I fill out, and she asks what the statement letter says, and while I read it, she interrupts me saying "That's what you wanted!" and I said "No, I was asking if it is a form since that is what the previous clerk said it would be, not a statement letter." And she essentially says "We don't give forms. I don't know what you're talking about." But they do give forms; the Mobile AL courthouse also has a page dedicated to forms for different legal proceedings. This is just one example of inconsistent and confusing information, all while they want you to hang up the phone immediately. It is such a terrible experience interacting with them.

There are definitely other city/state courthouses that are more organized, better prepared, and more consistently trained than the Mobile AL courthouse. There is a definite customer service and quality control issue with them.

Craig

I called the circuit court to get a copy of my final disposition of my case and followed instructions to the letter. Got a call a week later from the circuit court who said I didn't send enough money. Instead of 5 bucks - they wanted 15 because they had to search for my docket number using my name (which took them less than 30 seconds). - And I was told I didn't need to put my docket numbers on my form. So, they hung up on me and sent my money order and all of my paperwork back and now I can't get my money order refunded because it's been written on. So they've costed me time and money with no results. Why? Because they don't have it together. It's a circus operated by ignorant and inept clowns. The Mobile Court system doesn't care how much of your time (and money) they waste. It doesn't matter if you follow THEIR OWN directions and something goes wrong because it's still going to be YOUR PROBLEM.

Brother S.

Went to pay a traffic ticket. Very nice visually and the guy at the window was super helpful and friendly.

Alexander

Went down to the courthouse to get a copy of a citation with ALL of the documents needed for my Navy Officer Recruiter. The initial case date was set on a holiday and instead of the clerk noting that in the case action summary, she stated I failed to appear which is false. Multiple pages missing which means it is skipping page numbers which makes me look like a liar.

jennifer N.

I had to di a 1 star because that's the only way to make a review but they are very very rude, if your paper work says 8 then the judge should start at 8 not when they feel like it.

Teresa A.

After speaking with Mrs Debbie Mcgowin at the court house ....she could not explain why the public has no 6th amendment right to access the court room. She could only suggest talking to the bailiff...WOW....this clearifies to me that they are making up there own rules.....my rights have been violated....

Asa M.

Domestic Affairs office doesn't pick up the phone. Called multiple times with time between calls. Still no answer.