Clay County Arrest Records Search
Clay County arrest records are kept by the Clay County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff runs the county jail in Ashland. This rural east-central Alabama county has a small population. About 13,000 people live across 604 square miles of hilly land in the Talladega National Forest area.
Clay County Quick Facts
Clay County Sheriff's Office
The Clay County Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement for areas outside city limits. They also run the county jail. The Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, booking info, and inmate data for everyone who goes through the Clay County Jail. This is a smaller rural agency. They handle fewer arrests than big city counties. But they still keep the same records as required by Alabama law.
The Sheriff's Office does a lot for residents. They patrol roads, look into crimes, serve legal papers, and guard the courthouse. Deputies take calls all over the county's rural land. The hilly terrain and limited roads can make the job harder in some spots. The office works with other agencies in the 40th Judicial Circuit. They team up to handle law enforcement across the region.
| Main Office Address | 83026 US Highway 9 Ashland, AL 36251 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (256) 354-2176 |
| County Seat | Ashland |
| Office Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Clay County Jail
The Clay County Jail is a smaller lockup. It holds people waiting for trial, those with sentences under one year, and inmates set to move to state prison. The jail runs 24/7 with corrections staff on duty. Because the county is small, the jail usually has fewer inmates than bigger Alabama counties.
The jail booking process follows standard Alabama steps. When someone gets arrested, they go to the jail. Booking officers write down their personal info, take a mugshot, and list the charges. Bond amounts come from a set schedule or a judge. Inmates can get out through a bail bondsman or by paying cash to the jail.
| Jail Location | Ashland, AL 36251 |
|---|---|
| Facility Type | County Jail |
| Jail Phone | (256) 354-2176 |
How to Search for Arrest Records
Clay County is a smaller rural county. It may not have the same online tools as bigger counties. To look for current inmates or get arrest records, you will likely need to call the Sheriff's Office. You can also go in person. Some counties this size do not post inmate lists online. But they still keep full records as the law requires.
Phone Inquiries
The easiest way to check on an inmate is to call the Sheriff's Office at (256) 354-2176. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody right now. They can also share the charges and bond amount. Phone calls work best for quick checks. For older arrest records or more detail, you may need to file a formal request.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Sheriff's Office in Ashland during work hours to ask for records in person. Bring a valid photo ID. Be ready to give the full name of the person. Know the date of arrest if you can. Staff can handle many requests while you wait. Some searches take longer though.
Written Records Requests
For official copies of arrest reports, you may need to send a written request. Mail it to the Sheriff's Office. Include the person's full name and date of birth if you know it. Add the arrest date and your return address. Send payment for fees with your request. How long it takes depends on the request and how busy the office is.
What Records Are Available
The Sheriff's Office can give you copies of arrest reports, booking records, and incident reports. Under Alabama's public records law, most arrest info is open to the public. But some records are off limits. Juvenile records for people under 18 are restricted. So are sealed court records and info tied to open cases. Staff can tell you what is available for your request.
Alabama VINE Notification System
Clay County takes part in the Alabama VINE program. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. This free service lets crime victims and others track offender custody status. It works for Clay County and all of Alabama. You can sign up to get alerts when an inmate is released, moved, or escapes.
VINE is available 24/7, every day. It is free to sign up. Go to VINELink.com or call 1-877-846-3425. Pick how you want alerts: phone, email, or text. This system helps keep victims safe. They can know right away when custody status changes.
Registering for Notifications
To sign up for VINE alerts, go to the site and search by name. Pick the right person from the results. Then make an account with your contact info. You can track more than one offender if you need to. The system sends alerts when custody status changes. There is no cost in Alabama.
Clay County Circuit Court
Clay County is part of the 40th Judicial Circuit. Coosa County is also in this circuit. Criminal cases that go past the arrest and booking stage are handled by Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk keeps records of all criminal cases. This includes felonies and appeals. The courthouse is in downtown Ashland.
| Court | 40th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Clay County Courthouse P.O. Box 187 Ashland, AL 36251 |
| Circuit | 40th Judicial Circuit (Clay and Coosa Counties) |
Alacourt Access
Alabama has a statewide court system called Alacourt Access. It gives online access to circuit and district court records for Clay County. Search for criminal cases by name, case number, or other info through the Alacourt Public Access portal. The system shows case dockets, filing dates, hearing schedules, and final outcomes. It covers all 67 Alabama counties.
Alacourt does not have arrest or jail booking records. It only shows info after charges are formally filed. For arrest and booking records, call the Sheriff's Office. Court records show what happened after the arrest. This includes charges filed, court dates, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing.
District Court
Misdemeanor cases in Clay County go to District Court. These are lesser crimes like DUI, minor drug charges, simple assault, petty theft, and traffic tickets. District Court records are on Alacourt Access. You can also go to the courthouse in Ashland. Many minor cases end at District Court and never reach Circuit Court.
Fees for Records Requests
Clay County charges fees for copies of arrest records. These fees help pay for finding and copying the records. Fees can vary based on what you need. Call the Sheriff's Office to check current fees before you send your request.
| Document Type | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Arrest Report Copy | $5.00 - $25.00 |
| Incident Report | $5.00 per report |
| Additional Pages | $0.25 - $0.50 per page |
| Certification Fee | $5.00 per document |
| Background Check (ALEA) | $25.00 |
They usually take cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. Personal checks may or may not work, so ask first. If mailing a request, send payment with it. The office will let you know if more fees apply before they start.
Additional Record Sources
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For a full statewide background check, you can ask ALEA for a report. This covers arrest records from Clay County and all of Alabama. ALEA is the main source for criminal history info in the state. Background checks need fingerprints and cost $25. This works well when you want a full criminal history, not just one county.
To get a background check from ALEA, fill out Form 46. That's the Application to Review Criminal History. Include a copy of your photo ID and fingerprints on an FBI-approved card. Add the $25 fee. Mail it to ALEA Criminal Records Unit, P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102. You can also go in person at 301 S. Ripley Street in Montgomery.
Alabama Department of Corrections
If someone from Clay County got a felony conviction and went to state prison, they are in the Alabama Department of Corrections system. The ADOC Inmate Search lets you look up people in state prison. This database does not have county jail inmates. It only shows those in state prison.
Federal Court Records
Federal criminal cases from Clay County go to the Northern District of Alabama. Federal court records are on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator to find federal inmates.
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
Alabama state law controls access to arrest records in Clay County. Knowing these laws helps you see what info is available. It also shows what limits may apply to your request.
Alabama Public Records Law
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can view and copy public records. Arrest records count as public records in Alabama. That means most booking info, charges, and case outcomes are open to the public. But some types of info cannot be released.
Information That Is Public
These arrest-related items are public record in Alabama: the jailer's logbook (booking record), mugshots, arrest reports after the warrant is served, charges at booking, bond and bail info, court records and case outcomes, and conviction info. Agencies can give this to anyone who asks.
Information That May Be Restricted
Some info can be held back under Alabama law. This includes home address, phone number, Social Security number, driver's license number, job and employer, and work address. Also, records from open cases, warrants not yet served, juvenile records, sealed court records, and expunged records are not public.
Juvenile Records
Alabama Code Section 12-15-136 keeps juvenile records private. Arrest records for people under 18 at the time of the crime are not open to the public. You need a court order to see juvenile records. Immediate family may have limited access rights.
Expungement in Alabama
Under Alabama Code Title 15, Chapter 27, people can ask to have certain arrest records expunged. That means sealed from public view. Expungement works for charges that were dropped, led to acquittal, or were never prosecuted. Some misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions may also qualify after a waiting period. The public cannot see expunged records. Law enforcement can still access them for official purposes.
To expunge a record, file a petition in the circuit court where the case was heard. There is a $500 filing fee. Waivers exist for hardship cases. You must get a certified criminal history from ALEA. You may need to go to a hearing. If the court grants your petition, the order goes to ALEA. Expunged records usually do not need to be listed on job applications.
Cities and Communities in Clay County
Clay County is rural with no cities over 100,000 people. Ashland is the county seat and the largest community. Other small towns include Lineville, Delta, and Millerville. Because the county is so rural, the Sheriff's Office handles most law enforcement. There are not many city police departments here.
Ashland is the hub of Clay County. The courthouse and government offices are here. The town has about 1,900 people. If you need arrest records from Clay County, you will work with the Sheriff's Office in Ashland. This is true no matter which community the arrest happened in.
Lineville is the other town in Clay County. It sits in the northern part of the county. Lineville has a small police department. They may handle some arrests in town. But arrested people usually get booked into the county jail. For Lineville arrest records, check with both the town police and the Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
If you cannot find the records you need in Clay County, the arrest may have been in a nearby county. Each county keeps its own arrest records through its Sheriff's Office. Clay County shares borders with five other counties. Here are links to arrest record info for those nearby counties.
Tips for Finding Arrest Records
Looking for arrest records in a small rural county like Clay is different from big city areas. Here are some tips to help you find what you need.
Start with a Phone Call
Clay County may not have online inmate search. The fastest way to check on an inmate is to call the Sheriff's Office. Have the person's full name ready. Know any other info you can. Staff can usually tell you fast if someone is in custody.
Be Specific About What You Need
When you call the Sheriff's Office, say exactly what you need. Arrest reports, booking records, and incident reports are all different. Knowing what you want helps staff work faster.
Check Multiple Sources
An arrest might show in jail records but not in court records yet. Charges may not be formally filed. On the other hand, someone might have court records but not be in jail. They could have bonded out or been released. Check the Sheriff's Office for arrest records. Check Alacourt for court records. That gives you the full picture.
Consider Neighboring Counties
Not sure where an arrest happened? Check with nearby county Sheriff's Offices too. Someone might have been picked up just across the county line. Records would be there, not in Clay County.
Allow Extra Time
Smaller counties may take longer due to limited staff. Be patient. Follow up politely if you do not hear back soon. Going in person during office hours often gets faster results than mailing a request.