>Chambers County Arrest Records Online

Chambers County, Alabama Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chambers County, Alabama?

Arrest records are public documents in Chambers 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 arrest records serves several governmental functions:

Promotes transparency in the criminal justice system
Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Provides information relevant to public safety
Ensures accountability of public officials and agencies

The Chambers County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While most information in arrest records is accessible to the public, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under Alabama Code § 41-13-1.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Chambers County?

Chambers County arrest records are available online through several official and third-party platforms. The Chambers County Detention Facility maintains a database of current inmates and recent arrests that is accessible to the public via the internet. This online accessibility is part of the county's commitment to transparency and public information dissemination.

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, these electronic records must contain substantially the same information as their physical counterparts. Online arrest records typically include:

Basic identifying information of arrested individuals
Charges filed
Date of arrest
Current custody status
Court dates when available

The Fifth Circuit Court of Alabama - Chambers County also provides access to court records related to arrests through their online portal. Users should note that while basic information is freely available, obtaining complete records may require payment of statutory fees as authorized under Alabama Code § 12-19-70.

How to Look Up Chambers County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Chambers County arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following official channels provide access to arrest record information:

In-person requests at the Chambers County Sheriff's Office Chambers County Sheriff's Office 2 Lafayette Street South LaFayette, AL 36862 Phone: (334) 864-4333 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Online searches through the Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search for individuals who have been transferred to state custody
Court record requests through the Chambers County Circuit Clerk's Office Chambers County Circuit Clerk 2 South LaFayette Street LaFayette, AL 36862 Phone: (334) 864-4241 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 33, requestors must provide sufficient identifying information to locate specific records. For comprehensive searches, the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center may provide statewide criminal history information for a fee as authorized under Alabama Code § 41-9-620 through § 41-9-648.

Contents of a Chambers County Arrest Record

Chambers County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Alabama Criminal Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Property inventory taken at booking
Bail or bond information when applicable
Detention facility assignment

In accordance with Alabama Code § 15-9-30 through § 15-9-34, fingerprint records are maintained as part of the arrest documentation and are forwarded to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for record-keeping purposes. These biometric identifiers serve as the primary means of positively identifying arrested individuals.

The Chambers County Courts maintain subsequent case records that document the judicial proceedings following an arrest. These records are maintained separately from the initial arrest documentation but are linked through case numbers and personal identifiers.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chambers County

Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19, certain arrest records in Chambers County may be eligible for expungement. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The Alabama Legislature has established specific criteria for expungement eligibility:

Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
Charges that were dismissed with prejudice
Nolle prosequi dispositions after at least two years with no refiling
Cases where grand juries have not acted for at least two years
Certain non-violent misdemeanors and felonies after specified waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Chambers County Circuit Court. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-4, petitioners must:

Submit a sworn statement that they meet eligibility requirements
Pay a filing fee of $300 as established by statute
Provide certified copies of court records related to the case
Serve copies of the petition to the district attorney, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant parties

Upon approval by a circuit judge, expungement orders are distributed to all agencies maintaining the records, including the Chambers County Sheriff's Office, Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. These agencies must comply with the court order within 30 days as required by Alabama Code § 15-27-9.

Expunged records are not destroyed but are sealed from public view. Law enforcement agencies retain access to these records for internal purposes as permitted under Alabama Code § 15-27-15.