Search Alabama Police Blotters
Alabama police blotters list recent arrests across the state. These are public records. Anyone can view them. Each of the 67 county sheriffs keeps a jail roster with booking data. You can search most of them online. City police also keep arrest logs. The records show names, charges, and booking dates. Mugshots are often part of the file. This guide shows how to find police blotter records in Alabama. You can search by county or by city.
What Is an Alabama Police Blotter
A police blotter is a log of arrests. Sheriff's offices keep them. City police do too. The name comes from blotting paper used to dry ink on old handwritten logs. Today most are digital.
The blotter shows who got arrested and why. It lists booking dates and charges. Bond amounts are included. Mugshots appear in most cases. County jails update their rosters daily. New bookings show up within hours. Released inmates come off the list. This makes the blotter a live view of who is in jail right now, which is useful for people trying to find a friend or family member who may have been arrested.
Police blotters differ from criminal history records. A blotter shows recent arrests only. It lists current jail inmates. Criminal history records show a full record of past arrests and convictions across the state over many years.
Note: State prison inmates are not on county jail rosters.
How to Search Alabama Police Blotters
You can search online, by phone, or in person. The method depends on the county. Large counties have web search tools. Small ones may need a phone call.
Most big counties post jail rosters online. Madison, Mobile, Jefferson, and Baldwin all have search tools on their sheriff websites. You type in a name and get results. The system shows current inmates with their charges and bond info. These sites update within hours of a new booking, so you can often find someone the same day they were arrested if you know which county to search.
To search, you need the following:
- First and last name of the person
- County or city where the arrest happened
- Approximate arrest date if you know it
For counties without online access, call the jail. Staff can look up names for you. You can also visit in person. The jail book must be open for public view during office hours. The Alabama Sheriffs Association at alabamasheriffs.com lists contact info for all 67 counties.
Note: City arrests often end up in the county jail roster.
What Alabama Police Blotters Show
Jail rosters contain set fields. Details vary by county. Most include the same basic data.
A typical entry includes the following:
- Full name of the arrested person
- Date of birth and description
- Mugshot photo
- Date and time of arrest
- Charges and statute codes
- Bond amount and status
- Court date if set
Alabama law requires sheriffs to record each inmate's name, age, sex, marks, charges, and dates of booking and release. This data must be kept in a book open to the public. Many counties now post this same data online as a digital jail roster that anyone can search at any time from home.
Mugshots are public in Alabama. Sheriffs must keep records of each person in custody. Many counties post photos online. Some charge a small fee for printed copies.
How Alabama Law Enforcement Works
Alabama has 67 counties. Each one has an elected sheriff. The sheriff runs the county jail. Cities have their own police. City cops make arrests within city limits.
When someone gets arrested, they go to the county jail for booking. Staff take photos and prints. They record personal details. Charges get entered into the system. All of this shows up on the jail roster within hours. State rules say local agencies must report arrests to the state within 24 hours of booking, which helps keep records current across the system.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps criminal history records for the whole state. But ALEA does not run a statewide police blotter. To find recent arrests, you must search each county or city on its own. The state Department of Corrections handles prison inmates only. Search ADOC at doc.alabama.gov for state prisoners.
Which Counties Have Online Access
Many counties post jail rosters online. Access varies. Big counties have search tools. Small ones may not.
Counties with online rosters include Madison, Mobile, Jefferson, Baldwin, Morgan, Lee, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Etowah, and Calhoun. These use jail software with public search portals. You can search by name and see current inmates with charges and bond info. Results come up fast. Most update within hours of booking.
Small rural counties may lack online access. Some post PDF lists. Others need phone calls. Even without a website, you can visit in person. Alabama law gives you the right to view jail records at the sheriff's office during business hours. Staff must let you see the jail book if you ask.
Note: JailTracker and Odyssey are common software systems used by Alabama jails.
Alabama Police Blotter Laws
Alabama is an open records state. The law says you can view public records. Police blotters fall under this rule.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. This covers arrest records and jail rosters kept by sheriffs and police. The law has some exceptions for active cases, sealed records, and certain sensitive data. But most arrest info is open to the public.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires sheriffs to keep a jail book open for public view. The statute says sheriffs must maintain a well-bound book listing all inmates with their name, age, charges, and dates of commitment and release. This book must be available for inspection during normal office hours at the sheriff's office.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-41 says officials must allow inspection and copying of public records during office hours. You can view records for free. Fees apply only if you want copies. In 2024, the state passed SB270 to update public records request rules.
Police Blotter Fees in Alabama
Viewing jail records is free. You pay only for copies. Online searches cost nothing at most sites.
You can visit any sheriff's office and view the jail roster at no cost. This is your legal right. Most online jail searches are free too. You just need a name to search. Results show current inmates with charges and bond data.
Fees apply for copies and background checks:
- Standard copies: $0.25 to $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $15.00 each
- ALEA background check: $25.00
- FBI fingerprint check: extra fees apply
For a full criminal history from ALEA, the fee is $25. Pay by cashier's check or money order. This gives you a statewide report of arrests and convictions. It takes 4-5 weeks to process unless you pay extra for rush service.
Note: Fee amounts may change, so call ahead to confirm current costs.
Victim Notification in Alabama
Alabama has a victim alert system. It tells crime victims when offenders get released. This is separate from the public jail roster.
The VINE system lets victims sign up for updates. You can get alerts by phone, email, or text. The system notifies you when an inmate is released, moved, or escapes. Sign-up is free. Your info stays private. This helps victims stay safe and plan ahead when the person who harmed them is about to be released from custody.
You can also check status through ADOC for state prisoners or county jail rosters for local inmates. Many sheriffs post release dates online. This lets family members and victims track custody status without having to call the jail each day.
For victim services, contact the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission at 1-800-541-9388 or visit acvcc.alabama.gov.
Find Alabama Police Blotter
Search arrest records from counties and cities across Alabama.
Alabama Police Blotters by County
Each county sheriff keeps arrest records. Pick a county below to find local resources.
Police Blotters in Major Alabama Cities
City arrests go through the county jail. Pick a city below for local info.