>Baldwin County Arrest Records Online

Baldwin County, Alabama Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Baldwin County, Alabama?

Arrest records are public documents in Baldwin County, Alabama, pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of the state, except as expressly provided by statute. The Alabama Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this law to include arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. Public access to these records serves the fundamental governmental interest in ensuring transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties under Alabama law. These records document the activities of law enforcement agencies and provide essential information regarding individuals who have been taken into custody. The public nature of these records allows citizens, researchers, journalists, and other interested parties to monitor law enforcement activities and the functioning of the criminal justice system in Baldwin County.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Baldwin County?

Baldwin County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that allows members of the public to access current arrest information. This database is updated regularly to reflect recent arrests and bookings at the Baldwin County Corrections Center.

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts also maintains electronic records that may include arrest information through the Alacourt system. Access to this system requires registration and may involve user fees as prescribed by the Alabama Judicial Data Center. Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 33, certain arrest record information is made available through this system.

Users should be advised that online records may not always contain complete information. Some records may be subject to restrictions under Alabama Code § 41-9-621, which governs the dissemination of criminal history information. Additionally, records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order will not appear in public databases.

How to Look Up Baldwin County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Baldwin County, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and accessibility. Interested parties may utilize the following procedures to access these public records:

Visit the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request. The office is located at:

Baldwin County Sheriff's Office
310 Hand Avenue
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 937-0202
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Submit a written request to the Records Division of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, a reasonable fee may be charged for copying services.
Access the Baldwin County Circuit Court records, which may contain arrest information related to cases filed within the jurisdiction. The court is located at:

Baldwin County Circuit Court
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 937-0280
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Utilize the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Records Division for statewide arrest record searches. Requests may be submitted by mail or in person at:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102
Phone: (334) 353-4340
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should note that pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03, a processing fee of $25.00 is required for each criminal history record check conducted through ALEA.

Contents of a Baldwin County Arrest Record

Baldwin County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Alabama Code § 41-9-620 and the regulations promulgated by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission. A typical arrest record includes the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information including race, sex, and height
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name of the arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility information
Fingerprint classification data
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Disposition information, if available
Bond amount and status

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and the policies of the maintaining agency. Records maintained by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office typically include all booking information, while court records maintained by the Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit Court may contain additional information regarding case progression.

Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-1-.05, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to victims of certain offenses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Baldwin County

Alabama law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The Alabama Expungement Act (Code of Alabama § 15-27-1 et seq.) establishes procedures through which individuals may petition for the removal of arrest records from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Baldwin County include:

Arrests where charges were dismissed with prejudice
Arrests where no bills were returned by a grand jury
Arrests where the person was found not guilty of all charges
Arrests for misdemeanors, violations, traffic violations, or municipal ordinance violations that did not result in a conviction
Arrests for non-violent felonies where the charge was dismissed after successful completion of a court-approved diversion program

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Baldwin County Circuit Court where the arrest occurred. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-4, the petition must include certified copies of arrest records and court dispositions. A filing fee of $300 is required unless waived by the court upon a finding of substantial hardship.

Upon granting of an expungement order, all records relating to the arrest are sealed and removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies, including the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, are required to comply with expungement orders by restricting access to the specified records in accordance with Alabama Code § 15-27-6.