Hartselle Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hartselle, Alabama?
Arrest records are public documents in Hartselle, Alabama, pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that records maintained by government agencies shall be accessible to the public for inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Alabama Open Records Act further reinforces this right of access, stating that citizens are entitled to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours.
Arrest records maintained by the Hartselle Police Department and Morgan County Sheriff's Office contain information regarding individuals who have been taken into custody. These records typically become available after the booking process is completed. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes:
- Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enables community awareness of criminal activity
- Facilitates background checks for employment and housing
- Supports journalistic reporting on public safety matters
- Allows researchers to analyze crime patterns and trends
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information protected by privacy laws, involve ongoing investigations, or relate to juvenile offenders as specified under Alabama Code § 12-15-133.
How to Look Up Hartselle Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Hartselle, Alabama. Members of the public seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Hartselle Police Department located at 200 Sparkman Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Request records at the Morgan County Sheriff's Office at 302 Lee Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601. This office maintains county-wide arrest data and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Access court records at the Morgan County Courthouse at 302 Lee Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601, where case dispositions and related arrest information are filed.
Online Access:
- Utilize the Morgan County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system, which provides information on currently incarcerated individuals.
- Access the Alabama State Judiciary's online court records portal (Alacourt.com), which contains case information related to arrests.
- Check the City of Hartselle's official website for public safety updates and recent arrest information.
Written Requests:
- Submit a formal records request to the Hartselle Police Department Records Division by mail.
- File a Freedom of Information request citing Alabama Code § 36-12-40.
- Request certified copies of arrest records for official purposes through the Morgan County Circuit Clerk's Office.
Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 765-X-1-.04, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and typically range from $5-25 per record depending on the complexity of the search and volume of materials requested.
Contents of a Hartselle Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Hartselle contain standardized information as required by Alabama Bureau of Investigation protocols. These records document the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. Standard components of a Hartselle arrest record include:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases or previous names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Gender and race as identified during booking
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and specific location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (Hartselle PD, Morgan County Sheriff, etc.)
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
- Presence of weapons, contraband, or evidence seized
Processing Information:
- Booking number and unique identifier in records system
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Mugshot photographs (frontal and profile views)
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Medical screening information (non-confidential portions only)
- Bond amount set and bond type (if applicable)
Case Disposition:
- Court of jurisdiction for the case
- Case number assigned by the clerk of court
- Preliminary hearing date (if applicable)
- Initial appearance information
- Current status of charges (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4.3, certain arrest record information may be sealed or restricted if the arrest resulted in non-conviction or if the record has been subject to expungement proceedings.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Hartselle
The State of Alabama provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records through the Alabama Expungement Act (Code of Alabama § 15-27-1 et seq.). This statute allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific qualifying circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement of Hartselle arrest records must comply with statutory requirements and procedural rules established by the Morgan County Circuit Court.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Hartselle include:
- Misdemeanor charges that were dismissed with prejudice
- Felony charges that did not result in conviction
- Non-violent felony convictions after completion of all terms of sentence (limited circumstances)
- Violations that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- Arrests where no charges were filed within the statutory timeframe
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Morgan County Circuit Court
- Pay the filing fee of $300 as established by Alabama Code § 15-27-4
- Provide certified copies of disposition documents from the original case
- Submit to fingerprinting for verification purposes
- Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney, law enforcement agencies, and other parties as required by statute
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an Order of Expungement directing all agencies to seal the records related to the arrest. These agencies include the Hartselle Police Department, Morgan County Sheriff's Office, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and any other repositories of criminal history information.
Expunged records are not destroyed but are segregated from public access and removed from background check databases. Law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for internal purposes as permitted under Alabama Code § 15-27-7(c).
Search Arrest Records in Hartselle
