Saraland Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Saraland, Alabama?
Arrest records are public in Saraland, 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. The Alabama Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this law to include arrest records among the documents accessible to the public. These records are maintained to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system and to uphold the principle of open government operations. Law enforcement agencies in Saraland are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request, subject to certain limitations regarding ongoing investigations or protected information.
How to Look Up Saraland Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Saraland have several official channels through which they may obtain this information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Saraland Police Department, located at 1716 Highway 43 South, Saraland, AL 36571. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written requests may be mailed to the Records Division at the above address, accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope and any applicable fees.
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest data and can be contacted at 510 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36603.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) provides statewide criminal history information through their Criminal Records and Identification Unit at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.
The Saraland Municipal Court, located at 1716 Highway 43 South, Saraland, AL 36571, maintains records of cases processed through their system.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 765-X-1-.04, a processing fee may apply for record searches and copies.
Contents of a Saraland Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Saraland law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center regulations:
Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Arrest details, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the name and badge number of the arresting officer
Criminal charges filed, including the Alabama Criminal Code citation and description of the alleged offense
Case disposition information, if available, indicating whether charges were dismissed, prosecuted, or otherwise resolved
Booking information, including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
Custody status, indicating whether the individual was released on bail, held in detention, or released on their own recognizance
Court information, including scheduled appearances, assigned judge, and case numbers
It should be noted that pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-15-134, records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 18 years of age) are generally not public and are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Saraland
The State of Alabama provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19. In Saraland, as throughout Alabama, individuals may petition for expungement when:
- The charge was dismissed with prejudice
- The charge was no-billed by a grand jury
- The person was found not guilty of the charge
- The charge was dismissed without prejudice more than two years ago and has not been refiled
- The person completed a diversion program, drug court program, mental health court program, or veterans court program
- The charge was a misdemeanor, traffic violation, or municipal ordinance violation and has been dismissed pursuant to a successful completion of a deferred prosecution program
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Mobile County, accompanied by:
- A certified copy of the arrest record
- A sworn statement that the person has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor
- A certified copy of the dismissal or acquittal order
- Payment of a filing fee of $300 as prescribed by Alabama Code § 15-27-4
Upon granting of an expungement order, all records of the arrest are sealed from public view and the person may legally answer "no" to questions about the arrest on applications for employment, credit, or other civil purposes. However, certain government agencies, particularly those related to law enforcement and licensing boards, may still have limited access to expunged records under specific circumstances as outlined in Alabama Code § 15-27-15.
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