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Clanton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clanton, Alabama?

Arrest records are public documents in Clanton, Alabama, pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that records maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public for inspection and reproduction. The Alabama Open Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations. Citizens may access these records regardless of their purpose for seeking the information, though certain restrictions may apply to records involving ongoing investigations or juvenile offenders as outlined in Alabama Code § 12-15-133.

The Clanton Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them available through their Records Unit. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental interests, including promoting accountability within the criminal justice system, facilitating background checks for employment purposes, and enabling community awareness of public safety matters.

How to Look Up Clanton Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Clanton have several official channels through which they may obtain this information. The City of Clanton maintains multiple access points for record retrieval in compliance with Alabama Code § 36-12-40, which mandates reasonable public access to government records.

Visit the Clanton Police Department Records Unit: Citizens may request arrest records in person during regular business hours. The department requires proper identification and completion of a records request form.

Clanton Police Department
601 1st Avenue
Clanton, AL 35046
Phone: 205-755-1194, ext. 327
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Chilton County Courthouse: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and hearing schedules, are maintained at the county level.

Chilton County Courthouse
500 2nd Avenue North
Clanton, AL 35045
Phone: 205-755-1551
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Online Access: The City of Clanton provides limited online access to certain public records through the municipal website. Users may search for basic arrest information, though complete records typically require formal requests.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, citizens may submit written requests for copies of arrest records. The standard processing time is 10 business days, though expedited service may be available for an additional fee.

Contents of a Clanton Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Clanton Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Alabama law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement interactions with individuals taken into custody. Standard arrest records in Clanton include the following components:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, address of residence, and booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Arrest Details: Date, time, and precise location of the arrest; circumstances leading to the apprehension; and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the Alabama Criminal Code citations and classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies
Booking Information: Processing details including fingerprinting, personal property inventory, and temporary detention location
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including bail or bond amounts set by the court
Court Information: Scheduled appearance dates, assigned courtroom, and presiding judge for the case
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions within Chilton County jurisdiction, if applicable

The Clanton Police Department Records Unit maintains these documents in both physical and digital formats in accordance with Alabama records retention schedules. Pursuant to departmental policy, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and details pertaining to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Clanton, Alabama law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy interests and the integrity of the justice system. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-15-133, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 18) are confidential and not available for public inspection except by court order.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged through court proceedings are removed from public access in accordance with Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would compromise law enforcement activities as permitted under Alabama Code § 36-12-40.
Sealed Court Orders: Records sealed by judicial order are restricted from public access until such orders are lifted or modified.
Victim Protection: Information that could endanger victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may be redacted from public copies of arrest records.
National Security: Records involving matters of national security may be restricted under federal regulations that supersede state public records laws.

The Clanton Police Department and Chilton County Court administrators are responsible for applying these restrictions consistently while maintaining maximum transparency permitted by law. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may petition the appropriate court for special access orders when legitimate needs exist.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Clanton

The City of Clanton assesses standardized fees for the reproduction and certification of arrest records in accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-41, which permits reasonable charges for document reproduction. The current fee schedule for arrest record services is as follows:

Standard Arrest Report: $15.00 per report
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document
Comprehensive Background Check: $25.00 per individual
Expedited Processing (24-hour turnaround): Additional $10.00 per request
Research Fee (for records older than 7 years): $25.00 per hour, one-hour minimum

Payment methods accepted include cash, money order, and credit/debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors who complete a financial hardship application. Government agencies and court-appointed attorneys may access records without fees when conducting official business.

All fees collected are deposited into the City of Clanton general fund and partially offset the administrative costs of maintaining public records. The City of Clanton online payment system allows for electronic payment of certain record fees.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clanton

Alabama law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records, effectively removing them from public access. The expungement process in Clanton follows the procedures established in Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19, which outlines eligibility criteria and application procedures.

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases where charges were dismissed
Acquittals following trial
Successful completion of diversion programs
Certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods
Pardoned offenses

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Chilton County Circuit Court, payment of filing fees (currently $300), and submission of supporting documentation. The District Attorney's office reviews all petitions and may contest expungement requests. If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or destroy records related to the arrest.

The Clanton Police Department, upon receipt of a valid expungement order, removes the specified records from public access databases and sequesters physical documents in accordance with departmental procedures. Expunged records remain accessible only to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as permitted by statute.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process typically takes 60-90 days to complete. The Clanton Municipal Court can provide preliminary information about eligibility requirements, though formal legal advice should be obtained from qualified attorneys.

Impact of Arrest Records on Employment in Clanton

Arrest records may significantly impact employment opportunities for Clanton residents. Alabama is an employment-at-will state, and employers retain broad discretion in hiring decisions, including consideration of criminal history information. The following regulations and practices govern the use of arrest records in employment contexts:

Public Sector Employment: City of Clanton and Chilton County government positions typically require background checks that include arrest record searches. Certain positions, particularly in law enforcement, education, and healthcare, maintain statutory prohibitions against hiring individuals with specific criminal histories.
Private Employer Practices: Private businesses in Clanton may legally consider arrest and conviction records when making hiring decisions, though they must comply with federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines regarding disparate impact.
Ban-the-Box Provisions: While Alabama has not enacted statewide "ban-the-box" legislation, some Clanton employers voluntarily delay criminal history inquiries until later in the hiring process.
Professional Licensing: Many occupational licenses administered by Alabama state boards require disclosure of arrest records and may deny licensure based on certain criminal histories.

Individuals with arrest records seeking employment in Clanton should be aware of their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employer disclosure when background checks are conducted through third-party agencies. The Clanton City Council periodically reviews local hiring policies to ensure compliance with evolving state and federal regulations.