Alabama Arrest Records

Is Alabama an Open Arrest Records State?

Alabama is considered an open arrest records state pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy public records. Arrest records, which are documents created by law enforcement agencies when an individual is detained or taken into custody, are accessible to the public with certain statutory exceptions. The Alabama Open Records Act provides the legal framework for public access to government information, including arrest records maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies.

The rationale behind making these records public is rooted in the principles of transparency and accountability in government operations. In Alabama, public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes:

Maintains an informed citizenry regarding law enforcement activities
Promotes public safety through awareness of criminal activity
Provides oversight of the criminal justice system
Ensures accountability of government agencies
Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state, including arrest records, as mandated by Alabama Code § 41-9-620 through § 41-9-646.

How to Look Up Alabama Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Alabama arrest records have several methods available, with enhanced digital access options implemented in recent years. The Criminal Records Identification Unit at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains the central repository of arrest records statewide. Individuals may obtain arrest records through the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit local law enforcement agencies or the ALEA Criminal Records Unit to request arrest records. Proper identification is required, and fees may apply.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
201 South Union Street, Suite 300
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 517-2500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

Online Access: The state maintains several digital portals for accessing arrest information:
- Alabama Background Check system for official criminal history information
- Alabama Inmate Search for currently incarcerated individuals
- County sheriff's office websites, many of which provide inmate rosters and recent arrest information
Court Records: The Alabama Judicial System maintains court records related to arrests through the Alacourt system, accessible at courthouses throughout the state.

Administrative Office of Courts
300 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 954-5000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Third-Party Services: Commercial background check services aggregate public records, including arrest information, though these may not always contain complete or current data.

Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 765-X-1-.04, requestors must complete an application form and pay the required fee, currently $25 for a standard criminal history check.

Contents of an Alabama Arrest Record

Alabama arrest records are standardized documents containing specific information as required by Alabama Code § 41-9-622. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest
Jurisdiction Information: The law enforcement agency that made the arrest and the jurisdiction in which the arrest occurred
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including statute citations and offense descriptions
Case Disposition: Status of the case, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction
Booking Information: Fingerprints, booking number, and other processing details
Mugshot: Photograph taken during the booking process
Bail/Bond Information: Amount set and status of payment
Court Information: Court of jurisdiction and scheduled appearances

The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission, established under Alabama Code § 41-9-591, oversees the standardization of these records across all law enforcement agencies in the state.

Understanding the Alabama Open Records Act

The Alabama Open Records Act, codified in Alabama Code § 36-12-40, establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access public records, including arrest records. This legislation states that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."

Key provisions of the Act as they relate to arrest records include:

Presumption of Openness: All government records, including arrest records, are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
Reasonable Access: Agencies must provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours.
Reasonable Fees: Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying or producing records, but these fees must reflect actual costs.
Response Time: While the Act does not specify a timeframe for response, Alabama courts have interpreted the law to require a "reasonable time" for agencies to respond to requests.

Exceptions to disclosure under Alabama Code § 41-9-642 include:

Records related to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records sealed by court order
Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest in disclosure

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles maintains records related to individuals who have completed their sentences and may be seeking restoration of civil rights.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Alabama

The Alabama Record Expungement Act, codified in Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-16, provides a legal mechanism for the expungement (removal from public access) of certain arrest records. The 2021 amendments to this law expanded eligibility criteria for expungement.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Alabama include:

Non-Conviction Records: Arrests that did not result in conviction may be eligible for expungement if:
- The charge was dismissed with prejudice
- The charge was no-billed by a grand jury
- The defendant was found not guilty
- The charge was dismissed without prejudice and has not been refiled within two years
Conviction Records: As of 2021, certain misdemeanor and felony convictions may be eligible for expungement after specified waiting periods:
- Misdemeanors: 5 years after completion of sentence
- Non-violent felonies: 10 years after completion of sentence

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition in the circuit court where the arrest occurred
Payment of a $300 administrative filing fee
Submission of a certified criminal history record
Notification to the district attorney, law enforcement agencies, and victims
Judicial review and determination

Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
300 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 954-5000
Alabama Judicial System

Upon approval, expunged records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes under Alabama Code § 15-27-15.

How to Find Local Arrests in Alabama?

Local arrest information in Alabama is maintained by county and municipal law enforcement agencies. Citizens seeking information about recent arrests in their communities have several options for accessing this information:

County Sheriff's Offices: Each of Alabama's 67 counties maintains arrest records through the sheriff's office. Many counties now provide online inmate rosters and recent arrest information.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
2200 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 325-5700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Mobile County Sheriff's Office
510 South Royal Street
Mobile, AL 36603
(251) 574-2423
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Municipal Police Departments: City police departments maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions. Larger departments typically have dedicated records divisions.

Huntsville Police Department Records Division
815 Wheeler Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 427-7001
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Huntsville Police Records

Court Records: Local court records can be accessed through the circuit clerk's office in each county courthouse, providing information on cases resulting from arrests.
Local Media Resources: Many local news outlets maintain crime reports and arrest logs as a public service.

Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03, local law enforcement agencies are required to report arrest information to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center within 24 hours of booking.