Search Dale County Arrest Records

Dale County arrest records are kept by the Dale County Sheriff's Office in Ozark. The county is part of the 33rd Judicial Circuit. All bookings go through the county detention facility.

Dale County Sheriff's Office

The Dale County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the parts of the county outside city limits. They also run the county jail. This office is where you go for arrest records and inmate info. Fort Novosel (used to be Fort Rucker), a big Army aviation base, sits partly in Dale County. This adds to local law enforcement needs. The sheriff's office works with military police on cases that cross into civilian areas.

All arrests in Dale County get processed at the county jail. This includes arrests by Ozark police, Daleville police, and other local cops. When someone gets picked up on a warrant or for a new crime, they go through booking at the Dale County Jail. The booking record shows the arrest date and time. It also lists charges, bond amount, and personal info about the person held.

Dale County Jail

The Dale County Jail is where all county inmates are held before trial. It also holds people serving short sentences. The jail runs 24 hours a day for booking and release. Inmates can get out at any time once bond is posted. They can also leave after serving their full sentence. The jail keeps records on everyone who comes through. This info is usually open to the public under Alabama law.

Family members can call the jail to find out if someone is in custody. Staff will tell you if a person is being held. They can share the charges and bond amount too. The jail also handles visitation schedules and inmate accounts. There are rules about what you can bring in and when visits happen. Call ahead before you show up.

How to Search Dale County Arrest Records

Contact the Sheriff's Office Directly

The best way to find out if someone was arrested in Dale County is to call the sheriff's office at (334) 774-2335. Staff can confirm if a person is in custody. They can share basic booking info too. You need to know the person's full name. It helps if you know a rough arrest date. For current inmates, staff can tell you charges and bond amounts over the phone.

Not all small counties in Alabama have online inmate search tools. Dale County falls into this group. Phone calls and in-person visits are still the main ways to get jail info. If you need more detailed records or certified copies, you may need to go to the sheriff's office in person. A written request might be needed too.

Alacourt Case Search

Once charges have been filed, you can search for case info through the Alacourt Public Access system. Pick Dale County from the dropdown. Choose Criminal or Traffic as the case type. Enter the name of the person you want to look up. Alacourt shows any cases on file. You can see the case number, charges, hearing dates, and current status. If the case is closed, you can view the outcome and sentence details.

Keep in mind that Alacourt only shows cases after formal charges are filed. Someone who was just arrested yesterday may not show up yet. The prosecutor has not had time to file charges. There is always a gap between an arrest and when it shows in court records. For very recent arrests, check with the jail directly. Do not rely on court records alone.

VINELink Victim Notification

Dale County uses the VINELink notification system. This service lets you track an inmate's custody status. You get alerts when something changes. You can sign up by phone, email, or text. Get notified when an inmate is released, moved, or escapes. The service is free and runs all day, every day. Crime victims and their families often use VINELink to stay informed.

To use VINELink for Dale County, go to the website or call 1-888-266-5047. Search for the inmate by name. Sign up for the alerts you want. The system sends you a notice when the inmate's status changes. This is a good tool if you want a heads up before someone gets out.

Written Records Requests

For formal records requests, send a written request to the sheriff's office or Circuit Court Clerk. Include as much info as you can. Full name, date of birth, and rough arrest date all help. Say what records you need and why. Add your contact info so the office can reach you with questions or ask for payment.

Alabama's open records law is in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. It gives the public a right to look at government records. The agency can charge fair fees for copies, though. Allow several days for them to process your request. Older records in storage may take longer.

Dale County Court Records

Criminal cases in Dale County are heard in the 33rd Judicial Circuit Court. This circuit serves only Dale County. That means the court focuses on local cases alone. Felony cases go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors and preliminary hearings are handled by District Court. The courthouse is in Ozark. It houses both courts and the Circuit Court Clerk's office.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Dale County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all criminal court records for the county. This office handles case filings. They track court dockets and provide copies of court documents. If you need certified copies for legal reasons, this is where you get them. The clerk's office can also help you learn what records are on hand.

District Court

Dale County District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and first hearings for felony charges. Many arrests end up in District Court. This is especially true for minor offenses. The court also handles small claims and civil matters under a set dollar amount. You can search District Court records through Alacourt. Circuit Court records are there too.

Municipal Courts

Cities in Dale County run their own municipal courts for city law violations. Ozark Municipal Court and Daleville Municipal Court handle cases about city codes and some minor crimes. Arrests for city violations may be processed at the county jail. But the case is then heard in municipal court. For these records, contact the city directly. Do not go to the county.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Ozark Police Department

Ozark is the county seat and largest city in Dale County. The Ozark Police Department handles law enforcement inside city limits. They make arrests that are then processed at the county jail. For police reports or incident records from Ozark, contact the police records unit. Booking records for Ozark arrests are still kept by the county sheriff.

Daleville Police Department

Daleville is near Fort Novosel and has its own police force. The city has a large population tied to the military base. Daleville Police handles arrests inside city limits. Those arrested go to the Dale County Jail. The city runs its own municipal court for local law violations.

Fort Novosel (Formerly Fort Rucker)

Fort Novosel is a major U.S. Army aviation base in Dale County. The base has its own military police that handle incidents on post. Crimes on federal land usually go through federal court, not state court. But off-base incidents with military personnel are handled by local cops. These show up in Dale County arrest records.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)

For a full criminal history that goes past what you can find locally, ask ALEA for an official background check. This gives you a statewide view of arrest and conviction records. The process needs fingerprints and costs $25. Results take about 5 to 10 business days by mail. You can get same-day results if you go to the ALEA office in Montgomery in person.

Federal Court Records

Dale County is in the Middle District of Alabama for federal court. Federal crimes are handled apart from state crimes. The main federal courthouse is in Montgomery. You can search federal court records through the PACER system online. For federal inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.

Alabama Department of Corrections

If someone is convicted and sent to state prison, they move from the county jail to an ADOC facility. The ADOC Inmate Search lets you find people doing time in state prison. The search shows where they are, how long the sentence is, and when they might get out. County jail inmates do not show up in this system.

Fees for Dale County Arrest Records

Basic info about current inmates is usually free. Just call the jail. Online court searches through Alacourt are free too. Costs come up when you need certified copies or official background checks from ALEA. The clerk's office takes cash, checks, and money orders. If you mail a request, include a check or money order for the estimated cost.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law gives broad public access to arrest records and government documents. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 says every citizen can look at and copy public state records. A specific law must say otherwise to block access. This is the legal basis for getting arrest records in Dale County.

What Information Is Public

Public arrest records usually include the name of the person arrested, date and time, charges at booking, bond amount, and mugshot photos. They also show which agency made the arrest. Court records add more detail once charges are filed. You can find case numbers, formal charges, hearing dates, pleas, trial info, verdicts, and sentences.

Records That May Be Restricted

Some records are not open to the public. Juvenile records are private under Alabama law. Sealed or expunged records cannot be accessed. Details on active investigations may be held back until an arrest is made. Personal info like Social Security numbers and home addresses are often blacked out from public documents.

Expungement in Alabama

Alabama allows expungement of some arrest records. People whose charges were dropped may be able to get records wiped. The same goes for those found not guilty. People who finished diversion programs like drug court can also apply. Some misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions can be expunged after a waiting period. You must file a petition in the court that heard the case. There is a $500 filing fee. If the judge says yes, the record gets sealed from public view.

Search Dale County Records

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

Cities in Dale County

Dale County has several cities and towns. Ozark is the county seat and biggest city. Fort Novosel (used to be Fort Rucker) gives the county a large military population. Arrests by city police get processed at the Dale County Jail.

Ozark has about 14,000 residents. Daleville is home to roughly 5,500 people. Many have ties to the Army base. Other communities include Level Plains, Midland City, Clayhatchee, Grimes, and Newton. The Dale County Sheriff's Office serves these smaller towns. None of the cities in Dale County are large enough for dedicated city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Looking for arrest records in southeast Alabama? You may want to check these nearby counties too. Someone arrested near county lines might be processed in a different county. It depends on where the arrest took place.