Find Arrest Records in Cullman County

Cullman County arrest records are kept by the Cullman County Sheriff's Office. The office runs a medium-security jail in the city of Cullman. Sheriff Matt Gentry leads all law enforcement and jail work for the county. The jail can hold up to 326 inmates at once. The Sheriff's Office does not have an online inmate search tool. But you can track inmates through Alabama VINE. You can also check local arrest reports in the Cullman Tribune. The 32nd Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal cases in Cullman County. Those records are available through the Alacourt public access system.

Cullman County Sheriff's Office

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Sheriff Matt Gentry runs the department. It handles patrol, investigations, civil process, and jail work. The office serves warrants across the county. It also provides court security for the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Deputies patrol areas outside city limits. They also respond to calls in towns that lack their own police.

How to Search for Inmates

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office does not have an online inmate search tool on their website right now. So you will need to use other ways to find out if someone is in jail. You have a few options. First, call the jail at (256) 735-2400 during business hours. Staff can tell you if someone is booked. They can also share basic info about their status. Second, use the Alabama VINE system. It lets you look up inmates by name or offender ID. Third, the Cullman Tribune runs regular arrest reports with booking info.

Some people go to the jail in person to check on an inmate. The jail is at 1900 Beech Avenue SE. That's right next to the Sheriff's main office. Staff at the front desk can tell you if someone is in custody. They can also give you info about visit times. Keep in mind that hours and rules may change. It's best to call first before you make the trip.

Cullman County Detention Center

The Cullman County Detention Center is a medium-security jail. It holds people waiting for trial and those serving two years or less. The jail can hold up to 326 inmates. It sits near the Sheriff's office on Beech Avenue in Cullman. The jail takes bookings from all law enforcement in Cullman County. This includes local police and state troopers.

What Happens at Booking

When someone is arrested in Cullman County, they go to the jail for booking. Staff will take fingerprints and a mugshot photo. They collect personal info and write down the charges. The person's belongings are listed and stored. After booking, jail staff check if the person can get bail or bond. Bond amounts depend on the charges and past criminal history. Some charges have a set bond amount. Others need a judge to decide at a first hearing.

Inmate Services

The Cullman County Detention Center offers services for inmates and their families. Inmates can make phone calls using the jail's phone system. They can get money put on their commissary accounts. This lets them buy snacks, toiletries, and other items from the jail store. Mail is allowed but goes through screening first. Visits happen on set days and times. Call the jail for current visit rules and hours. These can change based on how the jail operates and security needs.

Tracking Inmates with Alabama VINE

Cullman County does not have its own online inmate search. The best way to track someone in jail is through the Alabama VINE system. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free service. You can search for offenders and sign up to get alerts when their status changes.

To use Alabama VINE for Cullman County inmates, go to the website. You can also call 1-877-846-3425. Search by the person's name or offender ID. If they are in the Cullman County jail, their record will show up. The info usually shows custody status, which jail they are in, and release dates if known.

One of the best parts of VINE is the alert system. If you are a crime victim or just want to know when an inmate gets out, you can sign up for alerts. VINE will call you, email you, or text you when the inmate's status changes. This includes release, transfer to another jail, or escape. The service is free and works around the clock.

Court Records and Case Information

Criminal cases in Cullman County go through the 32nd Judicial Circuit Court. After an arrest, the case moves from the Sheriff's Office to the court. Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and early felony hearings. All court records for Cullman County are on the Alacourt online system.

Alacourt Case Search

The Alacourt Public Access portal gives free access to court case records for Cullman County. To search, visit the site and pick Cullman County from the list. Choose Criminal as the case type. Enter the person's name. Results show case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. You can see court dates, attorney info, and final outcomes. This is often the best way to track what happens after an arrest.

Cullman County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk's office keeps all court records for Cullman County. This includes criminal cases, civil cases, and family law matters. If you need certified copies of court papers, ask the clerk's office. You can go in person or send a request by mail. There are fees for copies.

District Court

Cullman County District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and early felony hearings. Small claims and some civil cases also go through district court. You can search district court records through Alacourt. It works the same way as circuit court records.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Cullman Tribune Arrest Reports

The Cullman Tribune is a local paper that runs arrest reports on a regular basis. These reports list the names of people booked into the Cullman County jail. They also show the charges. The info comes from the Sheriff's Office booking log. You can read the Tribune online or grab a print copy at local stores. The arrest reports are a good source if you want to see recent bookings. No need to call the jail.

State Prison Inmates

If someone gets more than two years in prison, they leave the Cullman County jail. They go to an Alabama Department of Corrections facility. Use the ADOC Inmate Search to find people serving state prison time. It shows where the inmate is held, how long their sentence is, and when they might get out.

Federal Court Records

Federal crimes in Cullman County go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Federal arrests are separate from state records. To search federal case records, use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator helps you find people serving federal time.

ALEA Criminal History Check

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) keeps the state's main database of criminal history records. For a full background check, send a request to ALEA. The fee is $25 for a name-based search. Fingerprint checks are available for employers and some licenses. These checks show arrest records from all over Alabama, not just Cullman County.

Fees for Arrest Records

Processing Times

Legal Framework for Arrest Records

Public Records Law

Alabama has a public records law. It gives citizens the right to access government documents, including arrest records. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, every citizen can inspect and copy any public writing of this state. There are some exceptions listed in law. Arrest records are usually seen as public documents in Alabama. The jailer's logbook, which has booking info, is a public record. Anyone can look at it.

What Information Is Public

The following arrest info is public in Cullman County: the inmate's name, date of birth, booking date and time, charges at booking, bond amount if set, court dates, and case outcomes. Mugshots are also public records in Alabama. But some personal info may be kept private. This includes Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and home addresses.

Records Not Available to the Public

Some records are not open to the public under Alabama law. Juvenile arrest records are private. The public cannot see them. Sealed or expunged records cannot be shared. Only law enforcement and certain authorized parties can access them. Details about active investigations and warrants not yet served are also kept from the public. Some mental health records and domestic violence protective order details may have limits too.

Expungement in Cullman County

Alabama law lets certain arrest records be expunged in some cases. You may qualify if the charges were dropped. You may also qualify if you were found not guilty at trial. Completing a pretrial diversion program can make you eligible too. Some non-violent offenses can be expunged after a waiting period. To start, file a petition with the Cullman County Circuit Court. The fee is $500. But this can be waived if you show financial hardship. The court will set a hearing to decide. If approved, the arrest record gets sealed from public view. Law enforcement can still see it for official uses.

Legal Resources

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state. This includes Cullman County. They mostly handle civil matters. But they can give referrals for criminal matters. They may also help with expungement petitions in some cases.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

If you need to hire a criminal defense attorney, the Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. They can also help with record expungement. They will connect you with attorneys in Cullman County who handle these cases. Call (800) 392-5660 for a referral.

Cullman County Public Defender

If you have been arrested and cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. The court will appoint one at your first hearing if you meet income requirements. Public defenders handle criminal cases in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. They can answer questions about your charges and the court process.

Search Cullman County Records

Use the search tool below to look up arrest records and criminal history for Cullman County and across Alabama.

Cities in Cullman County

Cullman County has several cities and towns. The city of Cullman is the county seat. It is also the largest city in the county. But it has fewer than 100,000 people. So it does not have its own page on this site. Arrests made in Cullman and other towns go through the Cullman County Detention Center. Other towns in the county include Good Hope, Hanceville, Holly Pond, Fairview, Dodge City, and Colony. The Cullman County Sheriff's Office handles detention and booking for all of them.

Nearby Counties

Need to search arrest records in nearby counties? Pick a county below to get their sheriff's office and jail info.