>Fayette County Arrest Records Online

Fayette County, Alabama Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayette County, Alabama?

Arrest records are public documents in Fayette County, Alabama, pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public. The law serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Alabama Public Records Law stipulates that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute." Law enforcement agencies in Fayette County are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request, subject to certain statutory exemptions that may apply to ongoing investigations or juvenile records.

Individuals seeking arrest records may obtain them through the Fayette County Circuit Court or the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. These records typically become available after the booking process has been completed and the information has been entered into the county's record-keeping system.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Fayette County?

Arrest records for Fayette County can be accessed through various online platforms. The digital availability of these records is consistent with Alabama's commitment to public information accessibility as outlined in Code of Alabama § 36-12-40 and § 41-13-1.

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate information system that provides current arrest data. Additionally, the Twenty-Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama offers an electronic case search function through which members of the public may access court records related to arrests.

It should be noted that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices. Online records may be limited in scope or detail compared to the complete files maintained by the Sheriff's Office or Circuit Clerk.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency also maintains certain criminal history information that may be accessed online through their official portal, though fees and identification requirements apply for these searches.

How to Look Up Fayette County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Fayette County arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following procedures are established pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and local administrative regulations:

Visit the Fayette County Sheriff's Office in person:

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
113 Temple Avenue North
Fayette, AL 35555
Phone: (205) 932-3205
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Request records at the Fayette County Circuit Clerk's Office:

Fayette County Circuit Clerk
103 First Avenue NE, Suite 205
Fayette, AL 35555
Phone: (205) 932-5431
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Fayette County Circuit Court
Access the Alacourt system: The state's judicial system maintains electronic court records that include arrest information. Registered users may access this system for a fee.
Submit a request to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit requests to:

Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102
Phone: (334) 353-4340
Check the Alabama Department of Corrections website: For individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody, information may be available through the ADOC inmate search.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Fees may apply for record searches and copies, as authorized by Alabama Code § 12-19-90.

Contents of a Fayette County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Fayette County law enforcement agencies and the Twenty-Fourth Circuit Court contain specific information as required by Alabama Code § 15-4-1 et seq. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including applicable Alabama Code sections
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint information
Arresting agency and officer identification
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Custody status
Court appearance dates
Disposition of the case, if resolved

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of the criminal justice process and the policies of the maintaining agency. Records related to warrant applications may contain additional information regarding probable cause determinations.

Pursuant to Alabama law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fayette County

The State of Alabama provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under Code of Alabama § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19. In Fayette County, individuals may petition for expungement when their circumstances meet the criteria established by state law.

Expungement eligibility in Fayette County generally applies to the following situations:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Charges that were dismissed with prejudice
Charges dismissed without prejudice after two years (felonies) or one year (misdemeanors) have elapsed
Cases where the defendant was found not guilty
Certain non-violent felonies and misdemeanors after specified waiting periods, provided all conditions of the sentence have been fulfilled
Pardoned offenses (excluding violent crimes)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Fayette County Circuit Court, payment of filing fees (currently $300 plus court costs), and notification to the district attorney's office and any victims. The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles may provide additional information regarding eligibility for certain offenders.

Fayette Field Office - Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles
310 1st Court Northwest, Suite 8
Fayette, AL 35555
Phone: (205) 932-4949
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Upon successful expungement, records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in Alabama Code § 15-27-16. Expunged records are not disclosed in background checks for employment or housing purposes.