Find Arrest Records in Autauga County
Autauga County arrest records are available through the Sheriff's Office and the state Alacourt system. The county sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit. Prattville is the county seat.
Autauga County Quick Facts
Autauga County Sheriff's Office
The Autauga County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency here. They run the detention facility where all local arrests get processed. This covers arrests made by Prattville Police and other city agencies in the county. The sheriff's office does bookings, keeps inmate records, and lets the public see current jail data.
| Address | 162 W 4th Street Prattville, AL 36067 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 361-2500 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (administrative) |
Autauga County Detention Facility
The Autauga County Detention Facility is where all arrests in the county get booked. The jail holds people waiting for trial, those doing short sentences, and inmates set to move to state prisons. Booking and release happen around the clock. Call the jail to find out about visitation times and rules.
When someone gets arrested in Autauga County, they go to this facility for processing. Booking means fingerprints, photos (mugshots), and recording personal info. Bond gets set if it applies. After booking, the person shows up on the jail roster. You can then search for them through the systems listed here.
How to Search Autauga County Arrest Records
Alacourt Public Access
The best way to search for Autauga County arrest records online is through Alacourt Public Access. This statewide database has court case info once charges get filed. Go to pa.alacourt.com, pick Autauga from the county list, choose your case type (Criminal, Traffic, etc.), and type in the name. You'll see case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and how the case ended. It's free to use.
Keep in mind that Alacourt shows court records, not jail bookings. There's often a gap between an arrest and when charges show up in the system. If you know someone just got arrested but don't see them in Alacourt, check back in a few days. The case needs to be filed first.
Sheriff's Office Inquiries
Need info on current inmates at the Autauga County jail? Call the sheriff's office at (334) 361-2500. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can give basic booking info over the phone too. For more detailed records, you might need to go in person. Bring a valid ID and know what you're looking for.
Alabama VINE
Alabama VINE lets you track an inmate's status in Autauga County. Sign up for free alerts by phone, email, or text. You'll get notified when the inmate is released, moved, or escapes. This helps crime victims who want to know when an offender gets out. Call 1-877-846-3425 or go to the website to sign up.
Written Public Records Requests
Can't find records online? Send a written request to the sheriff's office or Circuit Clerk. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives citizens the right to see and copy public records. Your request should say what records you want, have your contact info, and be signed. The agency gets a reasonable time to respond. Simple requests often get done fast. Bigger requests with lots of documents take longer.
Autauga County Court Records
Criminal cases in Autauga County go through the 19th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers both Autauga and Elmore counties. They share judges and court resources. Felonies get heard in Circuit Court. Misdemeanors go to District Court. The courts deal with everything from traffic tickets to serious felonies.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Autauga County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all official court records for the county. This office takes case filings, keeps dockets up to date, sends out subpoenas, and gives copies of court documents to the public. Need certified copies for legal use? This is where you get them.
| Address | Autauga County Courthouse 134 N Court Street Prattville, AL 36067 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 358-6800 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
District Court
Autauga County District Court takes misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings for felonies. The court also does small claims and civil cases under a set dollar amount. You can get District Court records through Alacourt or the clerk's office.
| Phone | (334) 358-6840 |
|---|---|
| Case Types | Misdemeanors, traffic violations, preliminary hearings, small claims |
19th Judicial Circuit
Autauga County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Elmore County. Circuit judges move between both counties to hear cases. This means court schedules can shift around. Call the clerk's office for current court dates and which judge is assigned. The circuit judge deals with felony cases, big civil matters, and appeals from lower courts.
Additional Arrest Record Resources
Prattville Police Department
Prattville is the biggest city in Autauga County. It has its own police department. Arrests by Prattville PD go to the Autauga County jail for processing. Want records about Prattville Police investigations or incident reports? Contact the police department directly.
| Address | 101 W Main Street Prattville, AL 36067 |
|---|---|
| Non-Emergency | (334) 595-0208 |
| Records | Contact main number for records requests |
ALEA Criminal History Check
Want a full criminal history report covering arrests and convictions across Alabama? Request an official background check from ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency). You'll need to fill out an application, give fingerprints, and pay a fee. ALEA checks dig deeper than online searches. Jobs, licenses, and legal matters often need them. It costs $25 and takes 5-10 business days by mail.
Federal Court Records
Autauga County is in the Middle District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal crimes get handled separately from state cases. They go through the federal court system. Search federal court records using PACER. The closest federal courthouse is in Montgomery. Find federal inmates through the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
Alabama Department of Corrections
Got convicted and sent to state prison? They'll move from the county jail to an ADOC facility. Search for state inmates using the ADOC Inmate Search. This database shows where they are now, sentence info, and when they might get out. County jail inmates aren't in this system.
Fees for Autauga County Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Alacourt Case Search | Free |
| VINE Registration | Free |
| Viewing Records In-Person | Free |
| Certified Court Record Copy | $1.00 - $5.00 per page |
| ALEA Criminal History Check | $25.00 |
| Incident Report Copy | Varies by agency |
Most online searches are free. You can use Alacourt and sign up for VINE alerts at no cost. Fees kick in when you need paper copies. Certified copies for legal use cost more. The Circuit Clerk's office sets the prices for court document copies. They usually take cash, check, and money order. Call first to check what payments they accept.
Processing Times
| Request Type | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Alacourt search | Immediate |
| Phone inquiry to jail | Immediate |
| In-person record viewing | Same day |
| Certified court copies | 1-5 business days |
| Written public records request | Varies (reasonable time) |
| ALEA background check | 5-10 business days |
Legal Framework for Public Records
Alabama law gives people good access to government records, including arrest records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every Alabama citizen can see and copy public records. There are some exceptions in other laws. Most people call this the Alabama Open Records Law.
What Records Are Public
Most arrest records in Autauga County are public. This covers booking info (name, date, charges, bond), mugshots, court case documents, dockets, hearing dates, final outcomes, and the jailer's logbook. Once a case gets filed in court, almost all documents become public. A judge can seal them, but that's not common.
Records That May Be Restricted
Some records are off limits to the public. Juvenile records stay private under Alabama Code Section 12-15-102. Expunged or sealed records got removed by court order. Active investigation files might stay hidden until the case wraps up. Personal info like Social Security numbers gets blacked out.
Expungement in Autauga County
Alabama lets you expunge some arrest records if you meet the rules. You might qualify if charges got dismissed, you were found not guilty, you finished a pretrial diversion program, or enough time passed since a non-violent conviction. To start, file a petition with Autauga County Circuit Court. The filing fee is $500, but you can ask for a hardship waiver. If the court says yes, your arrest record gets sealed. You usually don't have to tell employers about it on job applications.
Here's how to start expungement in Autauga County. First, get a certified copy of your criminal history from ALEA. Fill out the petition for expungement. File it with the Circuit Clerk. Pay the fee. Go to any hearing the court sets. The judge looks at your case facts and the law, then decides if you get the expungement.
Search Autauga County Records
Use the search tool below to look up arrest records and other public records in Autauga County and across Alabama.
Cities in Autauga County
Autauga County has several cities and communities. Prattville is the county seat and biggest city with about 37,000 people. City police departments throughout the county send their arrests to the Autauga County Detention Facility for processing.
Other spots in Autauga County include Autaugaville, Billingsley, Booth, Jones, Marbury, Pine Level, and Independence. None of these places have over 100,000 people. Arrest records for folks who live there go through the county sheriff and circuit court systems we talked about above.
Nearby Counties
Autauga County sits in central Alabama. Not sure which county to check for arrest records? These nearby counties might help.
Montgomery County to the east is the state capital area. Elmore County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Autauga. Chilton County is to the north. Dallas and Lowndes counties are south and southwest.