>Escambia County Arrest Records Online

Escambia County, Alabama Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Escambia County, Alabama?

Arrest records are public documents in Escambia County, Alabama, pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that all public writings are open to inspection by any citizen, with limited exceptions as specified by law. Arrest records maintained by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction constitute public records accessible to members of the general public. These records document the detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity and serve as an official account of law enforcement actions.

The Alabama Open Records Act further reinforces this accessibility by stipulating that governmental bodies must provide reasonable access to public records during regular business hours. Citizens seeking arrest records may obtain this information without demonstrating a specific purpose or justification for their request, as the law presumes a public interest in governmental transparency.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Escambia County?

Escambia County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Escambia County Circuit Court provides electronic access to certain judicial records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. The Alabama Judicial System's Alacourt portal contains searchable databases that include arrest information for cases processed through the county's court system.

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides current information about individuals in custody. This resource is updated regularly to reflect recent arrests and custody status changes. Access to these online records is provided in accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and § 41-13-1, which govern public access to governmental records.

Online accessibility is subject to certain limitations established by state law, including restrictions on records sealed by court order, juvenile records, and information deemed confidential under Alabama statutes. The electronic availability of these records facilitates public oversight while maintaining compliance with applicable privacy protections.

How to Look Up Escambia County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Escambia County arrest records may utilize multiple methods to obtain this information:

Online Database Search: The Escambia County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate database accessible through their official website. Users may search by name, booking date, or case number to locate arrest information.
Court Records Request: The Escambia County Circuit Clerk's Office provides access to arrest-related court documents. Requests may be submitted through the Escambia County Circuit Court website or in person at:

Escambia County Circuit Clerk's Office
314 Belleville Avenue
P.O. Box 856
Brewton, AL 36427
(251) 867-0225
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA): For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrest records, citizens may submit requests to ALEA's Criminal Records and Identification Unit.
Written Request: Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at:

Escambia County Sheriff's Office
316 Court Street
Brewton, AL 36426
(251) 867-0304

Requestors should include specific information such as the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record retrieval. Fees for record reproduction are established in accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-41, which permits reasonable charges for document duplication.

Contents of an Escambia County Arrest Record

Escambia County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records typically include the following elements:

Subject identification information, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and demographic data
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory citations for alleged violations of Alabama Criminal Code
Booking information, including fingerprints and photographic documentation
Custody status and bail determination
Case disposition information, when available
Warrant information, if applicable
Vehicle information, when relevant to the arrest

The comprehensiveness of arrest records varies according to case complexity and stage of processing. Records maintained by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office adhere to documentation standards established by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) and the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission.

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19, certain information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of arrest records, particularly in cases involving protected categories of information or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Escambia County

Alabama law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Escambia County. Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq., individuals may petition for expungement when:

The charge was dismissed with prejudice
The person was found not guilty of the charge
The charge was no-billed by a grand jury
The charge was dismissed without prejudice more than two years ago and has not been refiled
The person completed a diversion program, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court program
The charge was a misdemeanor or non-violent felony and the person received a pardon

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Escambia County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must submit:

A certified copy of arrest records
A sworn statement that the person meets eligibility requirements
A filing fee as established by Alabama Code § 15-27-4

Upon approval, expungement orders direct all relevant agencies, including the Alabama Department of Corrections and Escambia County Sheriff's Office, to seal and remove records from public access. The court may waive filing fees upon demonstration of substantial hardship. Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for legitimate investigative purposes as permitted under Alabama Code § 15-27-7.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access in Escambia County

Access to certain arrest records in Escambia County is subject to statutory limitations designed to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. Alabama Code § 12-15-133 restricts public access to juvenile arrest records, which are maintained separately from adult records and subject to heightened confidentiality protections. Records pertaining to youthful offender cases, as defined in Alabama Code § 15-19-1, receive similar protections.

The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission has established regulations governing the dissemination of criminal history information pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-9-590 through § 41-9-649. These regulations limit access to complete criminal history records, requiring authorized access for certain types of information.

Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under Alabama Code § 12-21-3.1, which recognizes a law enforcement investigatory privilege. Additionally, records sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq. are removed from public access.

The Escambia County Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office maintain compliance with these statutory restrictions while facilitating appropriate public access to non-restricted arrest information.