>Pickens County Arrest Records Online

Pickens County, Alabama Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pickens County, Alabama?

Arrest records are public in Pickens County, 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 public documents accessible to citizens. These records serve as documentation of law enforcement activities and subsequent judicial proceedings, thereby promoting transparency in the criminal justice system.

The Pickens County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document all arrests within their jurisdiction. Members of the public seeking access to these records may submit requests in accordance with established county procedures. While certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under Alabama Code § 41-13-1, the fundamental public nature of these documents remains intact.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pickens County?

Arrest records can be found online in Pickens County through several official digital platforms. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate roster on their official website that is updated regularly in compliance with Alabama Code § 36-12-40, which mandates reasonable public access to government records. This online accessibility represents the county's implementation of modern record-keeping practices while fulfilling statutory transparency requirements.

The Twenty-Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama also provides digital access to court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. However, pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, certain limitations apply to the scope and detail of information available through these online portals. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts oversees the statewide Alacourt system, which includes Pickens County records, though complete access may require registration and, in some cases, payment of statutory fees as authorized under Alabama Code § 12-19-180.

Digital access to these records is subject to periodic system maintenance and updates, during which temporary service interruptions may occur. The online systems are designed to complement, not replace, traditional in-person record requests that remain available through the appropriate county offices.

How to Look Up Pickens County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Pickens County arrest records in 2025, in accordance with Alabama Public Records Law. Individuals seeking these records may utilize any of the following methods:

Submit a formal records request to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office located at 2 Reform Street, Carrollton, AL 35447. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (205) 367-2000.
Access the Pickens County Circuit Court records for cases that have entered the judicial system. The Circuit Clerk's Office is located at 51 11th Avenue, Carrollton, AL 35447. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (205) 367-2050.
Utilize the public access terminals available at the Pickens County Courthouse during regular business hours. These terminals provide access to the Alacourt system for searching court records related to arrests.
Submit a written request to the Records Division of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for statewide criminal history information that may include Pickens County arrests. ALEA's Pickens County office is located at 155 Reform Street, Carrollton, AL 35447. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Telephone: (205) 367-9436.
Access the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts E-Forms website to obtain necessary forms for requesting judicial records related to arrests.

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, reasonable fees may be charged for the reproduction of public records. These fees are established by the custodian of records and must reflect the actual cost of providing the requested documents.

Contents of a Pickens County Arrest Record

Pickens County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Alabama Code § 15-4-1 and regulations established by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. Each official arrest record typically includes the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed at the time of arrest
Identity of the arresting agency and the name or badge number of the arresting officer
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-4-2
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color
Residential address of the arrested individual at the time of arrest
Unique booking identification number assigned by the Pickens County detention facility
Custody status information, including bond amount if applicable
Court case number once assigned by the Pickens County Circuit Court

Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Alabama Code § 41-13-7, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or when disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation. The completeness of publicly available arrest records may vary based on the stage of the criminal proceedings and applicable privacy statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pickens County

The expungement of arrest records in Pickens County is governed by the Alabama Record Expungement Act (Code of Alabama § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19). This statute provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain arrest records from public access under specific qualifying circumstances. 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 successfully completed a diversion program, and the charge was dismissed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Pickens County Circuit Court, located at 51 11th Avenue, Carrollton, AL 35447. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-4, the petition must include certified copies of court records related to the arrest, a sworn statement that the petitioner meets the requirements for expungement, and payment of a filing fee of $300 as established by statute.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and provide notice to the district attorney, law enforcement agencies, and any victims as required by Alabama Code § 15-27-5. If the court grants the expungement, all records of the arrest will be ordered sealed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in Alabama Code § 15-27-7.

Successful expungement does not constitute a finding of factual innocence under Alabama law, but rather removes the records from public view to prevent adverse consequences in employment, housing, and other civil matters.