Find Arrest Records in Etowah County
Etowah County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. They run a full online inmate roster with booking data and mugshots. The county seat is Gadsden.
Etowah County Quick Facts
Etowah County Sheriff's Office
The Etowah County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the unincorporated parts of the county. They run the main detention center. All local arrests go there for processing. That includes arrests made by city police in Gadsden, Rainbow City, Attalla, and other towns. The office has been around for well over a century. It serves as the main booking spot for the whole county. They keep a crime tip line for folks who want to report criminal activity.
| Sheriff's Office Website | etowahcountysheriff.com |
|---|---|
| Phone (Non-Emergency) | (256) 546-2825 |
| Investigations Division | (256) 549-8127 |
| Warrants Division | (256) 549-5403 |
Etowah County Detention Center
The Etowah County Detention Center is a medium-security jail on Forrest Avenue in Gadsden. It can hold about 950 inmates. Some are waiting for trial. Others serve shorter sentences. The jail handles all bookings for arrests in the county. It does not matter which agency made the arrest. If Gadsden Police or Rainbow City Police pick someone up, they end up here. The same goes for any other local department. The center runs around the clock for intake and release.
| Jail Address | 827 Forrest Avenue Gadsden, AL 35901 |
|---|---|
| Detention Center Phone | (256) 549-5408 |
| Hours | 24 hours (booking and release) |
The facility handles a lot of bookings each year. Etowah County has over 100,000 residents, after all. Staff can answer questions about inmate visits, bond procedures, and release info. Need to post bond for someone? You can do so at the jail. But call ahead first. You will want to confirm the bond amount and what payment methods they take.
How to Search Etowah County Arrest Records
Online Inmate Roster
The Etowah County Sheriff's Office keeps a full inmate roster on their website. It shows everyone in custody at the detention center. This is the fastest way to check if someone got arrested in Etowah County. The roster updates often. It displays the inmate's name, date of arrest, charges, and mugshot photo. You do not need an account. It is free to use.
The sheriff's website also shows a 48-hour release view. You can see who was recently let go from the jail. This helps if you are trying to find someone who may have been arrested and bonded out. Keep in mind that booking takes time. Someone arrested late at night might not show up until the next morning.
Alacourt Case Search
After charges have been filed, case records show up on Alacourt Public Access. Pick Etowah County from the list. Choose your case type (Criminal, Traffic, etc.). Then enter the person's name. You can also use a case number if you have one. Alacourt shows charges, hearing dates, case status, and final outcome once the case is done. It is free. It works for all 67 Alabama counties.
The main difference between the jail roster and Alacourt is timing. The roster shows current inmates. They may not have been formally charged yet. Alacourt shows cases after charges are filed in court. Someone can show up on the jail roster right after arrest. But they might not appear in Alacourt until a day or two later. That is when the paperwork gets processed.
VINELink Notifications
Etowah County uses the VINELink notification system. You can sign up for alerts when an inmate's status changes. Get notified by phone, email, or text. Alerts go out when someone is released, moved to another facility, or escapes. This service is meant for crime victims. But anyone can use it. Signing up is free.
Calling the Jail Directly
Can not find someone on the online roster? Have questions about a specific inmate? Call the detention center at (256) 549-5408. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody. They can tell you the bond amount and visitation rules. The jail never closes. Staff are there around the clock. Sometimes calling is faster than waiting for the online system to update.
Etowah County Court Records
Criminal cases in Etowah County go through the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. The Circuit Court handles felonies. The District Court deals with misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. Once a case is filed, court records become public. They include info about charges, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. You can look these up on Alacourt. Or you can request copies in person at the Circuit Clerk's office.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Etowah County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records. They handle requests for copies and certified documents. This office deals with criminal case filings and keeps the docket. They can give case info to the public.
| Address | Etowah County Courthouse 800 Forrest Avenue Gadsden, AL 35901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 549-5313 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
District Court
Etowah County District Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic violations. They also do preliminary hearings in felony cases. The court shares the courthouse complex with the Circuit Court. You can search District Court records on Alacourt too.
| Phone | (256) 549-5350 |
|---|---|
| Case Types | Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, preliminary hearings, small claims |
Additional Arrest Record Resources
Gadsden Police Department
The Gadsden Police Department is the largest city police agency in Etowah County. Arrests by Gadsden PD go to the Etowah County Detention Center for processing. Need records from a Gadsden Police investigation or incident report? Contact their records division. City police handle most arrests in Gadsden city limits. The sheriff's office covers areas outside city limits.
Rainbow City Police Department
Rainbow City is the second-largest city in Etowah County. Like Gadsden, Rainbow City Police send arrests to the county jail for processing. The city police department keeps its own records for investigations and calls for service.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
Need an official criminal history report? You can request a background check through ALEA. This gives a more complete picture than the jail roster or Alacourt. ALEA pulls from a statewide database. These checks need fingerprints and cost $25. You can do this in person at an ALEA office. Or you can submit by mail.
Federal Court Records
Etowah County falls in the Northern District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal arrests and prosecutions are handled apart from state cases. They involve agencies like the FBI, DEA, or ATF. You can search federal court records on PACER. Federal inmates go to federal facilities. They are not held at the county jail.
Fees for Etowah County Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online Inmate Roster Search | Free |
| 48-Hour Release View | Free |
| Alacourt Case Search | Free |
| VINELink Registration | Free |
| Certified Court Record Copy | $1.00 - $5.00 per page |
| ALEA Criminal History Check | $25.00 |
| Viewing Records In-Person | Free |
Most online searches cost nothing. The sheriff's inmate roster, 48-hour release view, and Alacourt are all free. You only pay when you need certified copies or official criminal history reports from ALEA. The Circuit Clerk's office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Want to pay by credit card? Call ahead. Not all offices take them.
Legal Framework for Public Records Access
Alabama law gives the public the right to look at arrest records and other government documents. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can view and copy public writings of the state. There are some exceptions. But this is the legal basis for accessing arrest records in Etowah County and the rest of Alabama.
What Information Is Public
Public arrest records in Etowah County usually include the arrested person's name, date and time of arrest, charges at booking, bond amount, mugshot, and the arresting agency. Court records add more info once a case is filed. That means charges, hearings, pleas, trial details, verdicts, and sentences. All of this is public unless a judge seals it.
Records That May Not Be Available
Some records are off-limits. Juvenile records are confidential under Alabama law. Sealed or expunged records are not accessible. Ongoing investigations may have restricted details until an arrest happens. Personal info like Social Security numbers and home addresses gets removed from public documents for privacy.
Expungement in Alabama
Alabama allows expungement of certain arrest records. The outcome must have been favorable to the person arrested. If charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty, they may qualify. The same goes for completing a diversion program. The process means filing a petition with the court and paying a fee. If the judge grants it, the record gets sealed from public access. Some convictions can be expunged too after a waiting period. But serious offenses like violent felonies do not qualify.
Search Etowah County Records
Use the search tool below to look up arrest records and other public records in Etowah County and throughout Alabama.
Cities in Etowah County
Etowah County has several cities and towns. Gadsden is the county seat and largest city. City police departments send their arrests to the Etowah County Detention Center for processing.
The main cities include Gadsden, Rainbow City, Attalla, Glencoe, and Southside. None of these hit the population threshold for dedicated pages. But residents can get arrest records through the Etowah County Sheriff's inmate roster and Alacourt. Gadsden has around 33,000 residents. It is the population center of the county. Rainbow City has about 10,000 residents. It is the second-largest city.
Nearby Counties
Searching for arrest records in Northeast Alabama? You may need to check these nearby counties too. People sometimes get arrested in a different county than where they live. It helps to know the nearby areas.