Access Hale County Arrest Records

Hale County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. You can search them through the statewide Alacourt system. The county is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. Greensboro is the county seat.

Hale County Sheriff's Office

The Hale County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It runs the county jail. All bookings for arrests in Hale County go through here. This includes arrests made by town police in Greensboro, Moundville, and Akron. The staff can help with inmate status checks. They can also tell you about who is in jail right now.

Hale County Jail

The Hale County Jail is the main place where all arrests in the county are held. When someone gets arrested by any law enforcement agency here, they go to this jail for processing. Booking includes fingerprints and photos. Staff record personal details and figure out if bond is an option. The jail is open 24/7 for intake and release. The office side keeps regular business hours though.

The jail holds people waiting for trial. It also holds those serving short sentences for misdemeanors. Some inmates are here waiting to be moved to state prison. The jail has limited space since the county is small. Call the sheriff's office to get visitation schedules and rules. Video visits and phone calls may be available for inmates and their families.

Contacting the Jail

To check if someone is in custody at the Hale County Jail, call (334) 624-3081. Staff can tell you if a person is being held. They can give you basic info about charges and bond amount. For more detailed records or official documents, you may need to visit in person during business hours. Bring a valid ID. Be ready to fill out a request form if you need copies of booking records.

How to Search Hale County Arrest Records

Alacourt Public Access

The main way to search Hale County arrest records online is through Alacourt Public Access. This is a statewide system with court case records for all Alabama counties. To search for someone in Hale County, go to pa.alacourt.com. Pick Hale from the county dropdown. Choose your case type (Criminal, Traffic, etc.). Then enter the name. Results show case numbers, charges filed, hearing dates, and how the case ended. It's free to use.

One thing to keep in mind: Alacourt shows court records, not jail booking records. There is usually a gap between when someone gets arrested and when charges show up in court. If you know someone was just arrested but can't find them in Alacourt, wait a few days. Try again once prosecutors have filed the case. For current custody status, contact the jail instead.

In-Person Records Requests

For records not available online, you can visit the Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Clerk's office in Greensboro. The sheriff's office can give you booking records, mugshots, and jail logs. The Circuit Clerk handles court documents. This includes case files, judgments, and sentencing records. Bring valid photo ID when you make any records request. Some records may be ready the same day. Others may take a few days to process.

Alabama VINE

If you need to track an inmate's custody status in Hale County, use the Alabama VINE system. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It lets you sign up for free alerts. You get notified when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. Alerts come by phone, email, or text. This is really useful for crime victims who want to know when an offender might get out. To register, visit the website or call 1-877-846-3425.

Written Public Records Requests

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives citizens the right to look at and copy public records. If you need specific arrest records from Hale County, you can send a written request to the right agency. Your request should clearly say what records you want. Include your contact info and sign it. Send it to the Sheriff's Office for booking records. Send it to the Circuit Clerk for court documents. The agency must respond in a reasonable time. Simple requests are often handled quickly.

Hale County Court Records

Criminal cases in Hale County go through the 4th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Bibb, Dallas, Perry, and Wilcox counties. Circuit judges hear felony cases. District judges handle misdemeanors and traffic violations. Knowing how the court system works can help you find the records you need.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Hale County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all official court records for the county. This office handles case filings and keeps dockets. They issue subpoenas and give copies of court documents to the public. If you need certified copies of court records for legal purposes, this is where you get them. That includes things like employment background checks or expungement petitions.

District Court

Hale County District Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic violations. It also does preliminary hearings for felonies. The court hears small claims and some civil cases too. District Court records can be searched through Alacourt. Just select District as the case type. For certified copies, contact the clerk's office.

4th Judicial Circuit

Hale County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers five counties in west-central Alabama: Hale, Bibb, Dallas, Perry, and Wilcox. Circuit judges rotate between these counties to hear cases. Because of this, court schedules can vary. Judges may only be in Hale County on certain days. Check with the clerk's office for current court dates and which judge will be presiding. Circuit judges handle all felony criminal cases, major civil lawsuits, and appeals from lower courts.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Greensboro Police Department

Greensboro is the county seat. It's the largest town in Hale County. The Greensboro Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Arrests made by Greensboro police are processed at the Hale County Jail. For incident reports or records about Greensboro police investigations, contact the police department directly.

ALEA Criminal History Check

For a full criminal history report covering arrests and convictions across all of Alabama, you can request an official background check from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). This is more thorough than any single county search. It's often required for employment, professional licensing, or legal matters. You need to fill out an application and provide fingerprints. The fee is $25. It typically takes 5-10 business days when submitted by mail. You can find the forms and instructions on the ALEA website.

Federal Court Records

Hale County falls within the Northern District of Alabama for federal cases. Federal crimes are handled in federal court, separate from the state court system. To search for federal criminal cases, use the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). The federal courthouse for this district is in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Federal inmates serving sentences can be found through the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Alabama Department of Corrections

Once someone has been convicted and sentenced to state prison, they are moved from the county jail to an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) facility. The county jail only holds people temporarily. To find state prison inmates, use the ADOC Inmate Search. This database shows where the person is housed. It also shows sentence length and projected release date. People still in county jail awaiting trial won't appear in this system.

Fees for Hale County Arrest Records

Most online searches cost nothing. You can search Alacourt all day without paying a cent. VINE registration is free too. Fees kick in when you need physical copies of documents. This is especially true for certified copies for court or employment purposes. The Circuit Clerk sets the rates for document copies. Payment options usually include cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment they take before making the trip.

Processing Times

Simple requests are usually handled quickly. If you call the jail to check on an inmate, you'll get an answer right away. Walking into the clerk's office to view a case file can often be done the same day. More complex requests take longer. If you need certified copies mailed to you, allow up to a week. ALEA background checks take longer. They involve fingerprint processing and searching multiple databases.

Legal Framework for Public Records

Alabama law gives strong support for public access to government records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen of Alabama has the right to look at and copy any public writing of this state. There are some exceptions spelled out in other laws. This is the basis for accessing arrest records in Hale County.

What Records Are Public

Most arrest-related records in Hale County are available to the public. This includes booking info like the person's name, arrest date, charges, and bond amount. Mugshot photos are public records. Court case documents are also public. This includes the complaint, motions, hearing transcripts, and final disposition. The jailer's log showing who is in custody is specifically listed as a public record under Alabama law.

Records That May Be Restricted

Not everything is available to the public. Juvenile records are confidential under Alabama Code Section 12-15-102. Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order can't be disclosed. Active investigation files may be withheld until the investigation is done. Some personal information may be removed from documents before release. This includes Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and home addresses.

Expungement in Hale County

Alabama allows expungement of certain arrest records under specific conditions. You may be eligible if the charges against you were dismissed. You may also qualify if you were acquitted at trial. Completing a pretrial diversion program can make you eligible too. Or if enough time has passed since a non-violent conviction. Expungement removes the arrest from public view. It won't show up in most background checks.

To pursue expungement in Hale County, you need to file a petition with the Circuit Court. First, get a certified copy of your criminal history from ALEA. Then fill out the petition for expungement and file it with the Circuit Clerk. The filing fee is $500. A waiver is available if you can't afford it. The court will review your petition and may set a hearing. If the judge grants the expungement, the record is sealed. You generally don't have to disclose the arrest on job applications.

Requesting Records Denied

If your request for public records is denied, you have options. Ask for the denial in writing. Request a citation to the specific law that allows the record to be withheld. You can appeal to the agency head. You can also talk to an attorney about your rights. In some cases, you may be able to file a court action to compel disclosure. The Alabama Open Records Law is meant to promote transparency. Agencies can't refuse requests without a valid legal reason.

Search Hale County Records

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

Cities and Towns in Hale County

Hale County has several small towns and communities. Greensboro is the county seat and largest town. It has a population of around 2,300. Other communities include Moundville, Akron, Newbern, and Sawyerville. None of the cities in Hale County have populations over 100,000. All arrest records are handled through the county sheriff and circuit court systems described on this page.

Moundville is known for being near the Moundville Archaeological Park. But arrest records for residents there are handled the same as anywhere else in the county. Arrests made by any town police department in Hale County are booked at the Hale County Jail. Cases are filed in the Hale County courts.

Nearby Counties

Hale County is located in west-central Alabama. If you're searching for arrest records and aren't sure which county to check, these nearby counties may help. The person may have been arrested in a neighboring area.

Tuscaloosa County to the north is home to the University of Alabama. It has a much larger population. Bibb and Perry counties are part of the same 4th Judicial Circuit as Hale County. Marengo County lies to the south. Greene County borders Hale to the west. If someone was arrested near a county line, check both counties to be thorough.