Crenshaw County Arrest Records

Crenshaw County arrest records are kept by the Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office. This office runs the county jail. It also handles all arrests in areas outside city limits. The county seat is Luverne. This small city in south-central Alabama is where most county offices are found.

Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office

The Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It handles patrol and investigations. It also runs the county jail. All arrests in the county go through this office. The sheriff is elected and serves four-year terms. This person oversees deputies and jail staff. Crenshaw County is a smaller county. So the sheriff's office takes on many duties that bigger areas might split among several agencies.

Crenshaw County Jail

The Crenshaw County Jail is in Luverne. It holds people who have been arrested and are waiting for trial. Some are serving short sentences here. The jail is open 24 hours a day for booking and release. Inmates may be waiting for transfer to state prisons if they get longer sentences. The jail has limited space. This is normal for rural Alabama counties. You can get visitation times and rules by calling the sheriff's office.

When someone is arrested in Crenshaw County, they are taken to this jail for booking. The booking process includes fingerprints and photos. The charges are also recorded. Bond amounts depend on how serious the charges are. The person's past history matters too. Some minor crimes let you get out on a set bond amount. Felony charges usually need a bond hearing in front of a judge.

How to Search Crenshaw County Arrest Records

Calling the Sheriff's Office

Bigger Alabama counties often have full online inmate lists. Crenshaw County does not. There is no public online database of current inmates here. The best way to find out if someone is in custody is to call the sheriff's office at (334) 335-4850. Staff can tell you if a person is being held. They can share what charges the person faces. They can also tell you the bond amount. This is free. It is the fastest way to get current info about someone in the county jail.

When you call, have the full name of the person you are looking for. If you know their date of birth, that helps. It can narrow things down if there are people with the same name. The staff is usually helpful. They may be limited in what they can share. It depends on where the case stands.

Alacourt Case Search

Once charges have been filed in court, you can look up case info through the Alacourt Public Access system. This free system covers all Alabama counties. That includes Crenshaw. To use it, pick Crenshaw County from the dropdown. Choose the case type like Criminal or Traffic. Then type in the name or case number you want to find.

Alacourt shows detailed info about court cases. You can see the charges filed, hearing dates, and motions. It also shows plea info, verdict, and sentence. This is the best tool for tracking a case from start to finish. The system updates often as clerks add new info.

VINELink Notifications

Crenshaw County uses the VINELink victim notification system. This free service lets you sign up for alerts. You get notified when an inmate's status changes. Alerts come by phone, email, or text. You find out when someone is released, moved, or escapes. This is really useful for crime victims who want to know when an offender gets out. The service runs all day and night. It is available in English and Spanish.

In-Person Records Requests

For official copies of arrest records or court papers, you may need to go to the courthouse in person. The Circuit Clerk's office can give you certified copies of court records. The sheriff's office has info about arrests and incident reports. Bring valid ID. Be ready to say exactly what records you need.

Some records take time to find. Older records may be stored off-site or in archives. There is usually a small fee for copies. Certified papers with an official seal cost more. Cash and checks are usually accepted. Call ahead to confirm how you can pay.

Crenshaw County Court Records

Criminal cases in Crenshaw County go to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court. This court also covers Butler, Covington, and Lowndes counties. The Circuit Court handles felony cases. The District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and early hearings for felonies. Since this circuit covers many counties, judges rotate among them. Court scheduling can work a bit different here than in single-county circuits.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Crenshaw County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records for cases heard in Circuit Court. This includes criminal cases, civil cases, and appeals. The clerk's office handles requests for copies of court papers. They can give you certified copies to use in other proceedings. Staff can also help you find a case if you don't know the case number.

District Court

Crenshaw County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic tickets. It also holds early hearings for felony cases. The court is in the same building as Circuit Court. District Court cases often move faster. Many are resolved through plea deals or paying fines. If a felony case starts in District Court for an early hearing, it gets moved to Circuit Court for trial.

2nd Judicial Circuit

Crenshaw County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Butler, Covington, and Lowndes counties are also in this circuit. The judges are shared. They travel among the different courthouses. The circuit has a District Attorney's office that handles cases across all four counties. If you have a case in Crenshaw County, know that court times may shift based on the judge's schedule in other counties.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Luverne Police Department

The City of Luverne has its own police department. It handles law enforcement within city limits. Arrests made by Luverne Police go through the Crenshaw County Jail. For records about Luverne Police cases or incidents, contact the police department directly. Their records may include incident reports and accident reports. They have some records not available through the sheriff's office.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)

For official criminal history reports that cover the whole state, you can ask for a background check through ALEA. This is the state agency that keeps the central criminal records. An ALEA background check gives you a fuller picture than local searches. It includes arrests and convictions from all Alabama counties. The process requires fingerprints. There is a $25.00 fee. Results are mailed to you. It usually takes several weeks.

Alabama State Troopers

ALEA State Troopers patrol highways in Crenshaw County. They may arrest people for traffic offenses, DUI, and other violations. Arrests by troopers also go through the Crenshaw County Jail. These cases show up in county court records. Troopers handle many highway accidents and serious traffic matters in the county.

Federal Court Records

Crenshaw County falls in the Middle District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal arrests and cases are separate from state cases. Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, or ATF handle them. Federal cases do not show up in Alacourt. You can search federal court records through the PACER system. It requires registration but is free for low usage.

Fees for Crenshaw County Arrest Records

Most online searches are free. Calling the sheriff's office about an inmate is free. Using Alacourt to look up court cases is free too. Fees kick in when you need certified copies or official background checks. If you need a document for court or a job, you will likely need a certified copy. These cost more than plain copies. Always call ahead to check current fees and how you can pay.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law gives citizens the right to access public records. This includes arrest records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy any public writing of this state. The only exceptions are when another statute says otherwise. This is the basis for public access to arrest records in Crenshaw County and all of Alabama.

What Information Is Available

Public arrest records usually include the name of the arrested person. They also show the date and time of arrest, the charges at booking, bond amount, mugshot, and the arresting agency. Once a case goes to court, more info becomes available. Court records show the charges filed by the District Attorney. They list hearing dates, motions filed by both sides, and the plea. If there was a trial, you can see that too. Plus the verdict and sentence.

Records That May Be Restricted

Not all records are open to the public. Juvenile records are confidential under Alabama law. They go through a separate court system. Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not available. Info about ongoing cases may be restricted until charges are filed. Personal details like Social Security numbers may be blacked out. Certain home addresses may be redacted too.

Expungement in Alabama

Alabama allows expungement of certain arrest records. If charges were dropped, the person was found not guilty, or they finished a pretrial diversion program, they may ask to have the record expunged. The process means filing a petition with the court where the case was handled. You pay a filing fee. Then you wait for a judge to decide. If expungement is granted, the record is sealed from public view. Note that expungement does not always remove records from every database. Private background check companies may have copied the info before the expungement.

Understanding Crenshaw County Arrest Records

An arrest record documents when law enforcement takes a person into custody. There must be probable cause that they committed a crime. In Crenshaw County, most arrests are made by sheriff's deputies or Luverne Police. The arrest record is made at booking. It includes basic info about the person and the alleged crime.

Arrest vs. Conviction

An arrest record is not the same as a conviction record. This is key to understand. An arrest means law enforcement believed there was enough evidence to take someone into custody. A conviction only happens when the person is found guilty in court. This can be by pleading guilty or being found guilty at trial. Many arrests do not lead to convictions. Charges may be dropped. Cases may be dismissed. The person may be found not guilty. When you find an arrest record, also check court records. See what happened with the case.

Bond and Pretrial Release

After an arrest in Crenshaw County, the person may be able to post bond. This lets them get out while waiting for trial. Bond can be posted in cash. You can also use a bail bondsman who charges a fee. This is usually 10% of the bond amount. Some minor offenses have set bond amounts. These allow for quick release. More serious charges need a bond hearing in front of a judge. The judge looks at how serious the charge is. They also consider the person's ties to the community. Are they a flight risk? Do they pose a danger to others?

Public Records and Privacy

Arrest records are generally public in Alabama. But there are debates about balancing public access with individual privacy. When someone is arrested but not convicted, having that record online can hurt them. It can affect jobs, housing, and reputation. Alabama has made expungement easier in recent years. Still, records may stay in private databases. If you are searching arrest records, remember this. An arrest alone does not mean someone is guilty.

Search Crenshaw County Records

Use the search tool below to find arrest records and other public records in Crenshaw County and across Alabama.

Cities in Crenshaw County

Crenshaw County has several small cities and towns. Luverne is the county seat. It is also the largest city in the county. None of the cities here have populations over 100,000. So there are no dedicated city pages. Residents of all cities in the county can get arrest records through the Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office.

The main communities in Crenshaw County are Luverne, Brantley, Glenwood, Petrey, and Rutledge. Luverne has the courthouse and most county offices. Brantley has its own small police department along with sheriff coverage. For arrest records from any of these communities, the Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk's office are your main resources.

Nearby Counties

If you are looking for arrest records in south-central Alabama, you may also want to check nearby counties. Each county has its own sheriff's office and court system.