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Arrest Records in Alabama

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Need more information? Check out our guides to Alabama background checks and Alabama public records.

 

With a population of 4.89 million, Alabama is the 24th most populous state in the U.S. and the 27th most densely populated. The state capital is Birmingham. There are 67 counties in the state, of which Jefferson County is the most populous and Greene County is the least populous. The state lags behind most other states in income, ranking 46th in the nation. 

Alabama experiences higher crime than the United States on average, earning a 5.2 per 1,000 violent crime rate in 2018. The state’s most dangerous city is Anniston, which has a violent crime rate six times higher than Alabama’s already high state average, along with a property crime rate of 78.55 offenses per 1,000. It should come as no surprise that the state has a higher than usual rate of arrests.

Alabama Arrest and Crime Statistics

  • 126,404 total arrests were made in 2018, along with 3,578 arrests of minors. 
  • 4,761 arrests were made for violent crimes, including 214 for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, and 245 for rape. 
  • “Other assaults” was the leading identified cause of arrests, accounting for 13,027, followed by larceny-theft, which resulted in 12,332 arrests. 
  • Drug abuse violations resulted in 8,217 arrests, with driving under the influence arrests close behind, at 6,391
  • Drunkenness resulted in 5,300 arrests. 
  • There are more than 16,000 registered sex offenders in the Alabama Law Enforcement Sex Offender Registry. 

Sources: FBI: 2018 Crime in the United States, Alabama Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Services

 

What is a public arrest record?

An arrest record is a report produced by a law enforcement entity after the arrest or apprehension of an individual which contains the details of the incident, the individual’s personal information, and occasionally includes additional information about the individual’s criminal record.

An arrest record is often a key document in a criminal case and may play a significant role in an ensuing trial. The arrest record may remain in the public record for a long time regardless of whether the suspect is ultimately convicted of the crime(s) for which they were initially arrested. This means that it can be accessed by the general public.  

What is included in a public arrest record?

  • Description of the incident: An arrest record will include a chronological account of the alleged crime produced by the arresting officer that may utilize information provided by first-hand witnesses and/or victims of the alleged crime. 
  • Date and location of the arrest
  • Physical description: The height, weight, hair color, sex, and race of the arrested person, along with other distinguishing characteristics such as tattoos, scars, or birthmarks. 
  • Personal information: The name, age, date of birth, phone number, address, social security number, and other contact information of the arrested individual, as well as any other names the person may go by. 
  • Photographs
  • Fingerprints
  • Criminal charges filed
  • Classification of the crime: Whether the alleged crime is a felony or a misdemeanor.
  • Bail
  • Court date
  • Police interrogation details

What are the types of charges that may appear on an arrest record?

Generally, charges are classified into three main categories:

  • Infraction – An infraction is a minor violation of the law that is regulated at the state level. Punishment for an infraction is typically a fine or a written warning, rather than a jail or prison sentence. Examples of infractions include minor traffic violations, public nuisance offenses, and littering. 
  • Misdemeanor – A misdemeanor is a crime that is more serious than an infraction, but less severe than a felony, and generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of less than a year, or a term of probation. An individual convicted of a misdemeanor is more likely to serve time in a county or local jail than a federal or state prison. Examples of misdemeanors include driving under the influence, most drug abuse violations, and petty theft.
  • Felony – A felony is the most serious type of crime and generally results in a term of imprisonment of more than one year in a state or federal prison. Having a felony on one’s record may result in limitations of employment and the acquisition of specialty licenses. Examples of felonies include rape, murder, and arson.  

Who can access arrest records?

As in most other states, arrest records (also known as arrest reports) are public records in Alabama and can be accessed by anyone upon request to a law enforcement agency, and may come up during a routine background check. 

Other examples of Alabama public records include:

  • vital records such as birth and death certificates
  • marriage licenses
  • mugshots
  • court records
  • voting records
  • property records 

Where are physical copies of arrest records kept in Alabama?

Arrest records are typically held by the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, usually a local police department or county sheriff’s office. They also may be kept in the archive of a state government agency, or circuit court. However, there is no official repository for arrest records. 

Why can’t I access an arrest record in Alabama?

There are a number of reasons why you may not be able to access an arrest record. Although the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires federal agencies to release arrest records and other public records, records that fall under certain exemptions can be withheld from the public.

The FOIA includes nine exemptions that allow agencies to withhold documents, such as arrest records, and not release them to the public. They are:

  1. The information is classified to protect natural security. 
  2. The information focuses on the internal rules and practices of the agency.
  3. Another federal law prohibits the release of the information.
  4. The information includes confidential trade secrets and/or commercial and financial information. 
  5. The information includes privileged, confidential communicative exchanges between two agencies. 
  6. The information could pose a danger to another person’s privacy if released.
  7. The information is reserved for law enforcement purposes in a court case or an investigation or could reveal a confidential source. 
  8. The information includes confidential information about financial institution supervision. 
  9. The information includes geographical information about wells.

Additionally, some state laws limit the availability of arrest records due to the fact that they are perceived as one-sided documents that do not include the arrested person’s account of the incident. 

What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record?

Compared to an arrest record, a criminal record is a more thorough document that details an individual’s entire criminal history, including arrest warrants, arrests, third party complaints, convictions, and even dropped cases. 

What is the difference between an arrest record and an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant is a document issued by a judge or magistrate that grants law enforcement the authority to arrest an individual suspected of a crime or to search and seize the individual’s property, whereas an arrest record is a document of an arrest that is only created after an arrest or apprehension has already occurred.  

In order for a judge or magistrate to issue an arrest warrant, they must conclude that there is probable cause for an arrest. Probable cause must be backed by sworn testimony or an affidavit that provides sufficient information supporting the need for an arrest. An arrest warrant must also specify one individual that should be arrested, rather than a group of individuals or a rough description of a suspect. 

How many Americans have been arrested?

While crime has steadily dropped in the United States over the past several decades, arrests have gone up, particularly for younger age groups. Typically, law enforcement makes around 10 million arrests each year. Here are some key statistics on arrests in the United States:

  • In 2018, around 10.3 million arrests were made nationwide.
  • 73% of arrested persons in 2018 were males.
  • The more recent an American was born, the greater the likelihood that the individual has been arrested at least once. The following is the percentage of Americans in various age groups that have been arrested: 
    • 6.4% of Americans  born before 1949
    • 10.7% of Americans born between 1949 and 1958
    • 13.8% of Americans born between 1959 and 1968
    • 18.7% of Americans born between 1969 and 1978
    • 23% of Americans born between 1979-1988

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation: RAND Corporation

How to search for Arrest Records in Alabama

How can I search for an Alabama arrest record on the internet?

Since tracking down physical copies of arrest records can prove challenging, searching for them online is a viable option. There is a wealth of online services that allow you to search and access Alabama arrest records and other public records via numerous government agency databases in exchange for a fee. 

However, despite the fact that users must pay to obtain an arrest record from an online service, it’s nevertheless a convenient means of getting these documents. The offices of government agencies are often marred by inconsistent service and take a long time to process requests to view documents. 

Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a fee to use an online background check service, rather than endure the extended delays typical of government offices.  

Getting physical copies of public arrest records in Alabama

Want to find out if there is a record of you being arrested in the state of Alabama? One way to do it is to submit an Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, an Alabama state agency that is part of the Executive Branch of the State Government and tasked with overseeing public safety in the state. 

Note that the ALEA application only allows you to view your own arrest records, and not the records of others. To view arrest records of others, you should do an online search, or make an in-person request at a government office or law enforcement agency.   

The process of filling out and mailing the application is complicated, and requires additional documents and a form of payment, so follow these steps to make sure that the process is done correctly:

  1. Fill out the PERSONAL INFORMATION section.
  2. Fill out the WORK INFORMATION section with information about your employer. If you are self-employed, fill in your own name and address and write the name of your business or profession. 
  3. If you intend to challenge or correct information on your arrest record, follow the additional steps in the section below
  4. Sign and date the application.
  5. Have the application notarized by a licensed notary public OR have it signed by two witnesses. 
  6. Make a copy of your unexpired driver’s license, passport, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, or state ID and place it in the envelope that you are mailing the application in. 
  7. Obtain a classifiable copy of your fingerprints from the local police department and place it in the application envelope.
  8. Obtain a money order or cashier’s check made out to ALEA for $25 and place it in the application envelope.
  9. Once you have the completed application, copy of identification, copy of your fingerprints, and money order/cashier’s check in the envelope mail it to the following address:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

Criminal Records and Identification Unit

ATTN: Record Challenge

P.O. Box 1511

Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1511

After your application is mailed and received, ALEA recommends that you allow a minimum of 4-5 weeks for the application to be processed. If you have any issues with the procedure, or the organization has not responded within the recommended time frame, you may reach ALEA at 334-353-4340 or 1-866-740-4762

What can I do if my Alabama arrest record has a mistake?

In addition to allowing people to request access to their arrest records, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency application gives individuals the opportunity to dispute or correct inaccurate information on an arrest record. 

The APPLICATION TO CHALLENGE section is the 2nd page of the ALEA application. Individuals are given the opportunity to dispute up to six separate incidents on their arrest record.  If you wish to have information on your arrest record corrected or removed, follow the steps below in addition to completing the earlier steps outlined in the above section.

  1. Print your name in the space at the top of the page. 
  2. Fill in the date in the appropriate space below your printed name.
  3. List the details of the incident(s) that you want to challenge, including the date of the arrest, the agency responsible, and the charge or disposition challenged. 
  4. Fill in the three boxes near the bottom of the page, providing reasons why the information is inaccurate, writing out the actual sequence of events, and listing the court/or agency that you received supporting evidence from that backs your version of events (if applicable).
  5. Sign and date the APPLICATION TO CHALLENGE at the bottom of the page. 

Alabama Courthouse and Sheriff Information by County

CountyCourthouseAddressPhoneSheriffAddressPhone
Autauga CountyAutauga County Courthouse134 N Court St
Prattville, AL 36067
334-358-6700Autauga County Sheriff's Office162 W 4th St
Prattville, AL 36067
334-361-2500
Baldwin CountyBaldwin County Circuit Court201 E Section Ave
Foley, AL 36535
251-972-6818Baldwin County Sheriffs Office18185 Raymond Fell Dr
Robertsdale, AL 36567
251-972-6802
Barbour CountyBarbour County Probate Judge201 Court Square
Clayton, AL 36016
334-775-8371Barbour County Sheriff's Office24 Robertson Airport Dr
Clayton, AL 36016
334-775-3434
Bibb CountyBibb County Courthouse35 Ct Square E
Centreville, AL 35042
205-926-3103Bibb County Sheriff's Office103 SW Davidson Dr
Centreville, AL 35042
205-926-4683
Blount CountyBlount County Courthouse220 2nd Ave E
Oneonta, AL 35121
205-625-6868Blount County Sheriff Office225 Industrial Park Rd
Oneonta, AL 35121
205-625-4127
Bullock CountyBullock County Courthouse212 N Prairie St
Union Springs, AL 36089
334-738-2250Bullock County Sheriff Office217 N Prairie St #112
Union Springs, AL 36089
334-738-2670
Butler CountyButler County Circuit Judge700 Court Square
Greenville, AL 36037
334-382-3621Butler County Sheriff's700 Court Square
Greenville, AL 36037
334-382-6521
Calhoun CountyCalhoun County Courthouse25 W 11th St
Anniston, AL 36201
256-231-1750Calhoun County Sheriff's Office400 W 8th St
Anniston, AL 36201
256-237-4731
Chambers CountyChambers County District Judge2 Lafayette St S b115
La Fayette, AL 36862
334-864-4317Chambers County Sheriff2 Lafayette St S
La Fayette, AL 36862
334-864-4333
Cherokee CountyCherokee County Courthouse100 W Main St
Centre, AL 35960
256-927-3637Cherokee County Sheriff Department110 Cedar Bluff Rd
Centre, AL 35960
256-927-3365
Chilton CountyChilton County Courthouse500 2nd Ave N
Clanton, AL 35045
205-755-1551Chilton County Sheriff500 2nd Ave N
Clanton, AL 35045
205-755-4698
Choctaw CountyChoctaw County Circuit Judge117 S Mulberry Ave # 16
Butler, AL 36904
205-459-3932Choctaw County Sheriff's Office117 S Mulberry Ave # 11
Butler, AL 36904
205-459-2166
Clarke CountyClarke County Circuit Clerk114 Court St
Grove Hill, AL 36451
251-275-3163Clarke County Sheriff's Office149 Clark St
Grove Hill, AL 36451
251-275-4254
Clay CountyClay County CourthouseDistrict Judge, 25 Court Sq
Ashland, AL 36251
256-354-7926Clay County Sheriff Office41771 AL-77
Ashland, AL 36251
256-354-2176
Cleburne CountyCleburne County CourthouseVickery St
Heflin, AL 36264
Cleburne County Jail140 Lambert Dr
Heflin, AL 36264
256-463-7336
Coffee CountyCoffee County Courthouse99 S Edwards St
Enterprise, AL 36330
334-347-2519Coffee County Sheriff's Office1133 E Mckinnon St
New Brockton, AL 36351
334-894-5535
Colbert CountyColbert County Courthouse Extension Office201 N Main St
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
256-386-8500Colbert County Sheriff's Office201 N Main St
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
256-383-0741
Conecuh CountyConecuh Probate Judge111 Court St #104
Evergreen, AL 36401
251-578-1221Conecuh County Sheriff104 Liberty St
Evergreen, AL 36401
251-578-1260
Coosa CountyCoosa County Courthouse9709 US-231
Rockford, AL 35136
256-377-2675Coosa County Sheriff Office296 School St
Rockford, AL 35136
256-377-2211
Covington CountyCovington County Probate Judge1 N Court Sq A
Andalusia, AL 36420
334-428-2510Covington County Administration Office290 Hillcrest Dr
Andalusia, AL 36420
334-428-2641
Crenshaw CountyCrenshaw County Courthouse29 S Glenwood Ave
Luverne, AL 36049
334-335-6568Crenshaw County Sheriffs Office89 Folmar Ave
Luverne, AL 36049
334-335-4850
Cullman CountyCullman County Courthouse500 2nd Ave SW
Cullman, AL 35055
256-739-3530Cullman County Sheriff's Office1910 Beech Ave SE
Cullman, AL 35055
256-734-0342
Dale CountyDale County Circuit Clerk3 E Ct Square
Ozark, AL 36360
334-774-5003Dale County Sheriff Department113 W Reynolds St
Ozark, AL 36360
334-774-3114
Dallas CountyDallas County Courthouse105 Lauderdale St
Selma, AL 36701
334-874-2500Dallas County Sheriff102 Church St
Selma, AL 36701
334-874-2530
DeKalb CountyDekalb County Circuit Clerk300 Grand Ave S
Fort Payne, AL 35967
256-845-8525DeKalb County Sheriff's Office2801 Jordan Rd SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
256-845-3801
Elmore CountyElmore County Courthouse100 E Commerce St
Wetumpka, AL 36092
334-567-1156Elmore County Jail8955 US-231
Wetumpka, AL 36092
334-567-5441
Escambia CountyEscambia County Courthouse314 Belleville Ave
Brewton, AL 36426
251-867-0208Escambia County Sheriff316 Court St
Brewton, AL 36426
251-867-0304
Etowah CountyEtowah County Courthouse800 Forrest Ave
Gadsden, AL 35901
256-549-5313Etowah Sheriff Department827 Forrest Ave
Gadsden, AL 35901
256-549-8127
Fayette CountyFayette County Circuit Clerk113 Temple Ave N
Fayette, AL 35555
205-932-4617Fayette County Sheriff's Office113 1st Ave NW
Fayette, AL 35555
205-932-3205
Franklin CountyFranklin Circuit Court Clerk410 N Jackson Ave
Russellville, AL 35653
256-332-8861Franklin County Sheriff Office748 Walnut Gate Rd
Russellville, AL 35654
256-332-8811
Geneva CountyGeneva County Probate Judge200 N Commerce St
Geneva, AL 36340
334-684-5600Geneva County Sheriff's Office200 N Commerce St
Geneva, AL 36340
334-684-5660
Greene CountyGreene County Judge of Probate400 Morrow Ave
Eutaw, AL 35462
205-372-3340Greene County Sheriff's Office400 Morrow Ave
Eutaw, AL 35462
205-372-3242
Hale CountyCircuit Clerk1001 Main St #13
Greensboro, AL 36744
334-624-4334Hale County Sheriff's Office1001 Main St #18
Greensboro, AL 36744
334-624-3081
Henry CountyHenry County Clerk of Court101 Court Square # J
Abbeville, AL 36310
334-585-2753Henry County Sheriff's Office101 Court Square # G
Abbeville, AL 36310
334-585-3131
Houston CountyHouston County Courthouse114 N Oates St
Dothan, AL 36301
Houston County Sheriff Department144 N Oates St
Dothan, AL 36303
334-677-4882
Jackson CountyJackson County Courthouse102 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
256-574-9280Jackson County Sheriff's Department102 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
256-574-2610
Jefferson CountyJefferson County Courthouse716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-325-5300Jefferson County Sheriff's Office2200 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-325-5700
Lamar CountyLamar Circuit Clerk330 1st St NE
Vernon, AL 35592
205-695-7193Lamar County Sheriff's Office330 1st St NE
Vernon, AL 35592
205-695-7470
Lauderdale CountyLauderdale County Court House200 S Court St
Florence, AL 35630
256-760-5833Lauderdale County Sheriff's200 S Court St #201
Florence, AL 35630
256-760-5757
Lawrence CountyLawrence County Probate Judge14451 Market St., Suite 130, Court St
Moulton, AL 35650
256-974-2439Lawrence County Sheriff242 Parker Rd
Moulton, AL 35650
256-974-9291
Lee CountyLee County Courthouse215 S 9th St
Opelika, AL 36801
334-737-3660Lee County Sheriff's Office1900 Frederick Rd
Opelika, AL 36803
334-749-5651
Limestone CountyLimestone County Court House200 W Washington St
Athens, AL 35611
256-233-6406Limestone County Sheriff's Office101 W Elm St
Athens, AL 35611
256-232-0111
Lowndes CountyLOWNDES COUNTY SHERIFF (COURTHOUSE)1 S Washington St
Hayneville, AL 36040
334-548-6151LOWNDES COUNTY SHERIFF (JAIL)653 AL-21
Hayneville, AL 36040
334-548-2222
Macon CountyMacon County Circuit Clerk Office101 Rosa Parks Plaza #300
Tuskegee, AL 36083
334-724-2614Macon County Sheriff's Office246 Co Rd 10
Tuskegee, AL 36083
334-724-0669
Madison CountyMadison County Courthouse100 North Side Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-532-3300Madison County Jail815 Wheeler Ave NW
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-519-4800
Marengo CountyMarengo County Probate Court101 E Coats Ave # 104
Linden, AL 36748
334-295-2200Marengo County Sheriff101 E Coats Ave
Linden, AL 36748
334-295-4208
Marion CountyMarion County Circuit Clerk132 Military St S # 204
Hamilton, AL 35570
205-921-7451Marion County JAIL132 Military St S
Hamilton, AL 35570
205-921-2101
Marshall CountyMarshall County Court House424 Blount Ave #305
Guntersville, AL 35976
256-571-7701Marshall County Sheriff’s Office423 Blount Ave
Guntersville, AL 35976
256-582-2034
Mobile CountyMobile County District Courthouse205 Government St
Mobile, AL 36602
251-574-8806Mobile County Sheriff's Department510 S Royal St
Mobile, AL 36603
251-574-2423
Monroe CountyMonroe County Circuit Clerk65 N Alabama Ave
Monroeville, AL 36460
251-743-2283Monroe County Sheriff's Office65 N Alabama Ave
Monroeville, AL 36460
251-575-2963
Montgomery CountyMontgomery County Courthouse251 S Lawrence St
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-832-1260Montgomery County Sheriff's Office115 S Perry St
Montgomery, AL 36103
334-832-4980
Morgan CountyMorgan County Courthouse302 Lee St NE
Decatur, AL 35601
256-351-4600Morgan County Sheriff's Office119 Lee St NE
Decatur, AL 35601
256-351-4800
Perry CountyPerry County Courthouse300 Washington St
Marion, AL 36756
334-683-6106Perry County Sheriff Department202 Pickens St
Marion, AL 36756
334-683-6534
Pickens CountyPickens County CourthouseColumbus St
Carrollton, AL 35447
Pickens County Jail188 Cemetery St
Carrollton, AL 35447
205-367-2000
Pike CountyPike County Circuit Clerk120 W Church St
Troy, AL 36081
334-566-5113Pike County Sheriff's Office120 W Church St
Troy, AL 36081
334-566-4347
Randolph CountyRandolph County Circuit Clerk1 Main St S
Wedowee, AL 36278
256-357-4551Randolph County Sheriff's Office1 N Main St
Wedowee, AL 36278
256-357-4545
Russell CountyRussell County Alabama Probate Court1000 Broad St
Phenix City, AL 36867
334-298-7979Russell County Sheriff305 Prentiss Dr
Phenix City, AL 36869
334-298-6535
Saint Clair CountySt. Clair County Courthouse1815 Cogswell Ave
Pell City, AL 35125
205-338-2511St. Clair County Jail48 6th St
Ashville, AL 35953
205-594-2140
Shelby CountyShelby County Circuit CourtFirst, 112 N Main St Floor, Room 128
Columbiana, AL 35051
205-669-3760Shelby County Sheriff's Office380 McDow Rd
Columbiana, AL 35051
205-669-4181
Sumter CountySumter County District Court115 Franklin St
Livingston, AL 35470
205-652-2333Sumter County Sheriff's Office1733 N. Washington Ave
Livingston, TX 77351
936-327-6810
Talladega CountyTalladega County Probate Judge1 Court Sq
Talladega, AL 35160
256-362-4175Talladega County Sheriff Department148 East St N # 2
Talladega, AL 35160
256-362-2748
Tallapoosa CountyTallapoosa County Probate Judge125 N Broadnax St #126
Dadeville, AL 36853
256-825-4266Tallapoosa County Sheriff316 Industrial Park Dr
Dadeville, AL 36853
256-825-4264
Tuscaloosa CountyTuscaloosa County Courthouse714 Greensboro Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-349-3870Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office714 Greensboro Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-752-0616
Walker CountyWalker County Courthouse219 19th St W
Jasper, AL 35501
205-384-7268Walker County Sheriff2001 2nd Ave
Jasper, AL 35501
205-302-6464
Washington CountyWashington County Circuit Clerk45 Court St
Chatom, AL 36518
251-847-2239Washington County Sheriff45 Court St
Chatom, AL 36518
251-847-2202
Wilcox CountyWilcox Probate Judge Office100 Broad St # 400B
Camden, AL 36726
334-682-4883Wilcox County Sheriff's Office12 Water St # 102
Camden, AL 36726
334-682-9115
Winston CountyWinston County Courthouse10 Blake Dr
Double Springs, AL 35553
205-489-5533Winston County Sheriffs Office11 Blake Dr #1
Double Springs, AL 35553
205-489-2115

 

If you’re worried that someone you know or love has a criminal record and maybe hiding it from you, run a quick background check online with ArrestRecords.com. Thanks to public records laws, almost all Alabama arrests, criminal and civil records are available online, as well as comprehensive background checks and secret data. You can even find Alabama marriage records, secret divorce records as well as birth and death records.

Violent Crime rate

Property Crime rate 

Murder Crime rate 

Forcible Rapes rate 

Robbery rate 

Assaults rate 

Burglary rate 

Theft rate 

Motor Vehicle Theft rate