>Dallas County Arrest Records Online

Dallas County, Alabama Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dallas County, Alabama?

Arrest records are public documents in Dallas 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. Law enforcement agencies in Dallas County maintain these records as part of their official duties, and the public accessibility of these documents serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability.

The Alabama Public Records Law specifically states that "every public officer having the custody of a public writing which a citizen has a right to inspect is bound to give him, on demand, a certified copy of it." This provision ensures that citizens can access arrest records maintained by the Dallas County Sheriff's Department and municipal police departments within the county jurisdiction.

Requestors should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Alabama Code § 41-13-1, which governs confidentiality of certain records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dallas County?

Dallas County arrest records can be accessed online through several official and third-party platforms. The Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama provides electronic access to court records related to arrests processed through the judicial system. Online accessibility is governed by Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, which establish parameters for electronic access to court records.

The following online resources are available to the public:

Alacourt.gov - The official state court system website provides case information for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings
Dallas County Sheriff's Department inmate lookup system
Third-party aggregator websites that compile public record information

Users should be aware that online records may not always contain complete or current information. Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 355-4-1-.03, electronic records must be maintained with the same level of accuracy as physical records, but technical limitations and update schedules may affect real-time availability.

How to Look Up Dallas County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Dallas County arrest records in 2025 have multiple official channels through which to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records include:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Dallas County Sheriff's Department located at 105 Lauderdale Street, Selma, AL 36701. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring government-issued identification and be prepared to complete a records request form.
Online Court Records: The Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama - Dallas County maintains electronic court records that include information about arrests that have proceeded to court action. These records can be accessed 24 hours a day.
Municipal Police Departments: For arrests made within city limits, the Selma Police Department maintains records at 1300 Alabama Avenue, Selma, AL 36703. The records division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at (334) 874-2125.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency: The state agency maintains certain arrest records and can be contacted at their Dallas County office located at 102 Church Street, Room 101, Selma, AL 36701.

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and typically range from $5 to $25 per record, depending on the complexity of the search and volume of materials requested.

Contents of a Dallas County Arrest Record

Dallas County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Alabama Administrative Code 370-1-3-.05, which governs law enforcement record-keeping requirements. A complete arrest record typically includes the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Alabama Criminal Code citations
Arresting agency and officer identification information
Booking number and processing details
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Photographic image (mugshot) taken during the booking process
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Case disposition information, if available

The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission oversees the standardization of arrest record formats throughout the state, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions. Records maintained by the Dallas County Sheriff's Department conform to these standards as required by Alabama Code § 41-9-621.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dallas County

Under Alabama law, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Dallas County. The Alabama Expungement Act (Code of Alabama § 15-27-1 et seq.) establishes the legal framework for removing arrest records from public access under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Dallas 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 non-violent felonies or misdemeanors that were dismissed after successful completion of a court-approved diversion program

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Dallas County Circuit Court located at 105 Lauderdale Street, Selma, AL 36701. Petitioners must submit:

A certified copy of arrest records
A sworn statement that they meet eligibility requirements
Payment of a $300 administrative filing fee as prescribed by Alabama Code § 15-27-4
Supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility

Upon successful expungement, all records of the arrest are sealed from public view and the individual may legally state that the arrest never occurred in most circumstances. However, certain government agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific purposes as outlined in Alabama Code § 15-27-15.