Houston County, Alabama Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Houston County, Alabama?
Arrest records are public in Houston County, 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 law specifically encompasses documentation related to arrests conducted by law enforcement agencies operating within Houston County jurisdiction, including the Houston County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with Alabama Code § 41-13-1, which protects sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, records pertaining to juvenile offenders are generally not available to the public under Alabama Code § 12-15-133, which mandates confidentiality for most juvenile proceedings.
The custodian of these records, typically the Houston County Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office, maintains these documents in compliance with state retention schedules established by the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Houston County?
Arrest records can be accessed online in Houston County through several official digital platforms. The Houston County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate listing on their official website, which is updated regularly to reflect recent arrests and current incarcerations. This digital accessibility is authorized under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, which permits government agencies to provide electronic access to public records.
The Houston County Circuit Court also offers online access to court records through the statewide Alacourt system, which may include information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Users should note that pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2015-18 issued by the Alabama Supreme Court, certain registration requirements and nominal fees may apply when accessing these records through the Alacourt system.
Digital access to these records is subject to the same exemptions and redactions as physical records, in accordance with Alabama Code § 41-13-1. The online systems are maintained to ensure compliance with both public access requirements and privacy protections mandated by state law.
How to Look Up Houston County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Houston County arrest records in 2025, several official channels are available to members of the public:
Visit the Houston County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request: Houston County Sheriff's Office 411 N Foster Street Dothan, AL 36303 334-677-4882 Houston County Sheriff's Office Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a request to the Houston County Circuit Clerk's Office: Houston County Circuit Clerk's Office Houston County Courthouse 114 N Oates Street Dothan, AL 36303 334-677-4719 Houston County Circuit Court Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Houston County Sheriff's Office inmate listing online, which provides information on current detainees and recent arrests
Utilize the Alabama Judicial System's Alacourt portal to search for court cases related to arrests
Submit a written request via certified mail to either agency, including the required identification and specific information being sought
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 on their respective websites. Requests must be specific and include sufficient identifying information to locate the relevant records. In accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-40, responses to records requests should be provided within a reasonable time period, typically within 10 business days.
Contents of a Houston County Arrest Record
Houston County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Alabama Code § 12-21-3.1 and administrative regulations established by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. A typical arrest record includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable Alabama Code sections
- Classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies
- Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
- Fingerprint information and unique identification numbers
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Houston County Sheriff's Office, Dothan Police Department)
- Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
- Court case numbers and scheduled appearance dates
- Disposition information if the case has been adjudicated
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records maintained by the Houston County Sheriff's Office typically contain more detailed information than summary reports that might be available through third-party aggregators. All information contained in these records is subject to verification by the maintaining agency.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Houston County
In Houston County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19. The Alabama Record Expungement Act establishes the legal framework for removing eligible arrest records from public access.
To initiate the expungement process, petitioners must:
- File a petition with the Houston County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated or would have been adjudicated
- Pay the filing fee of $300 as established by Alabama Code § 15-27-4
- Provide certified documentation demonstrating eligibility under one of the following conditions:
- The charge was dismissed with prejudice
- The charge was no-billed by a grand jury
- The petitioner was found not guilty of the charge
- The charge was dismissed without prejudice more than two years ago and has not been refiled
- The petitioner completed a diversion program, drug court, or mental health court program
- The charge was a non-violent felony or misdemeanor and meets the waiting period requirements
The Circuit Clerk's Office, under the direction of Circuit Clerk Carla H. Woodall, processes these petitions in accordance with statutory requirements. Upon receipt of a petition, the clerk forwards copies to the district attorney's office, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant parties who have 45 days to file objections.
If the court grants the expungement, all records related to the arrest are sealed from public view and the petitioner may legally state that the arrest never occurred, except in specific circumstances outlined in Alabama Code § 15-27-15.
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