Montgomery Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Montgomery, Alabama?
Arrest records in Montgomery, Alabama are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 member of the public during regular business hours. Law enforcement agencies within Montgomery County maintain these records as part of their official documentation of arrests and subsequent proceedings. The Alabama Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records, noting in Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co. that public records laws serve to ensure governmental accountability and transparency.
Exceptions to public access exist only in specific circumstances as outlined in Alabama Code § 41-13-1, which protects certain sensitive information such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and records sealed by court order. Absent these exceptions, arrest records remain available for public inspection through designated channels established by Montgomery municipal and county authorities.
How to Look Up Montgomery Arrest Records in 2025
Montgomery County provides multiple official channels through which members of the public may access arrest records as of 2025. The following methods are available pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, which governs the procedures for obtaining copies of public records:
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's Office: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Montgomery County Courthouse located at 251 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must complete a Record Request Form and present valid government-issued identification.
Online Court Records Portal: The Alabama Judicial System maintains an electronic records system accessible through the Montgomery County Circuit Court website. Users may search by name, case number, or filing date to locate arrest information and related court proceedings.
Montgomery Police Department Records Division: Located at 320 North Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Records Division processes requests for arrest reports, incident reports, and accident reports pursuant to departmental policy and state law.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 115 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. All written requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and a copy of the requestor's identification.
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-41, which permits reasonable charges for the production of public records. Current fee schedules are posted at each records facility and on the respective agency websites.
Contents of a Montgomery Arrest Record
Montgomery arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center regulations and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office policies. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, address of residence, and any documented aliases or previous names.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest; and the legal authority under which the arrest was executed.
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the Alabama Criminal Code section numbers, classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor), and brief description of the alleged criminal acts.
Booking Information: Booking number, date and time of booking, fingerprint classification data, and mugshot photographs taken during the booking process.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including bail or bond amount if applicable, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes if processed.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions within Montgomery County jurisdiction may be included if relevant to the current case.
All information contained in Montgomery arrest records is subject to the verification standards established by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-9-590 through § 41-9-649.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Montgomery
The expungement process in Montgomery County operates under the authority of Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19, which provides mechanisms for the removal of certain arrest records from public access. Individuals seeking expungement must meet specific statutory criteria:
Non-Conviction Expungements: Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1, individuals may petition for expungement when charges were dismissed, no-billed by a grand jury, found not guilty, or when the charge was dismissed after completion of a diversion program, deferred prosecution, or similar program.
Conviction Expungements: Limited conviction expungements became available under Alabama Code § 15-27-5 for certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies after specified waiting periods have elapsed.
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Required forms include:
- Petition for Expungement (Form CR-65)
- Certified disposition of the case
- Certified criminal history from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
- Order of Expungement (Form CR-65B) for the judge's signature
Filing fees for expungement petitions are established by Alabama Code § 15-27-4 and currently stand at $300 per case, which may be waived upon demonstration of substantial hardship. Petitioners must also pay a processing fee to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency as required by statute.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the Montgomery County Circuit Court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records from public view. These agencies include the Montgomery Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Alabama Department of Corrections where applicable.
Montgomery County Circuit Court
251 South Lawrence Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 832-1260
Montgomery County Circuit Court
Search Arrest Records in Montgomery
