Arrest records in Calhoun County, Alabama are considered public information 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 otherwise expressly provided by statute. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Calhoun County fall under this provision as public records.
The Alabama Open Records Act further reinforces this transparency by stipulating that records of arrests, including the charges filed, are accessible to members of the public. This legal framework ensures that citizens can monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system within Calhoun County. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:
It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect sensitive personal information or ongoing investigations, as provided by Alabama Code § 41-13-1.
Calhoun County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals. The Calhoun County Circuit Court maintains an electronic database that includes information about criminal cases resulting from arrests within the jurisdiction. However, the comprehensiveness of online records varies according to several factors:
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate roster that is accessible online, providing real-time information about individuals currently in custody. This resource includes basic arrest information but does not constitute a comprehensive arrest records database.
Users of online systems should be aware that electronic records may not reflect case dismissals, expungements, or other post-arrest legal actions unless the database has been recently updated. For the most accurate and complete information, direct contact with the records division of the appropriate agency is advised.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Calhoun County have multiple official channels through which such information may be obtained:
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office
400 West 8th Street
Anniston, AL 36201
Phone: (256) 236-6600
Official Website
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted by county deputies and provides public access to these records during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Calhoun County Circuit Clerk's Office
25 West 11th Street, Suite 109
Anniston, AL 36201
Phone: (256) 231-1750
Official Website
The Circuit Clerk maintains court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges. Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, these records are available for public inspection during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Anniston Police Department
174 West 13th Street
Anniston, AL 36201
Phone: (256) 238-1800
Official Website
For arrests made within Anniston city limits, the Records Division of the Anniston Police Department provides access to arrest records during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
To conduct a search for arrest records, requestors must provide:
Fees for record searches and copies are established pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-19-180 and may include:
Arrest records maintained by Calhoun County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Alabama Criminal Code § 15-10-1 through § 15-10-4. A complete arrest record generally includes the following components:
Demographic information of the arrested individual:
Arrest details:
Case processing information:
Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4.1, the arrest record will also document whether the arrest was made with or without a warrant. For warrantless arrests, the record must contain the officer's statement of probable cause that justified the arrest.
It should be noted that arrest records are distinct from criminal history records, which compile an individual's entire history of interactions with the criminal justice system. Arrest records document a single incident and do not necessarily indicate criminal conviction.
The Alabama Legislature has established statutory provisions for the expungement of certain arrest records under Code of Alabama § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19. Expungement removes arrest records from public access, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
In Calhoun County, individuals may petition for expungement when:
The expungement process in Calhoun County requires:
The District Attorney has 45 days to file an objection to the petition. If no objection is filed, or if the court overrules an objection after hearing, the court may grant the expungement. Upon issuance of an expungement order, all records of the arrest are sealed from public view.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is governed by strict statutory requirements, and not all arrest records qualify for expungement under Alabama law.