Find Arrest Records in Jackson County

Jackson County arrest records are held by the Sheriff's Office in Scottsboro. They run the county jail and keep booking logs for all local arrests. The county sits in northeast Alabama along the Tennessee border. It's part of the 38th Judicial Circuit. Court records for criminal cases can be found through Alacourt. Current jail inmates are listed on the sheriff's office roster.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the unincorporated parts of the county. They also run the county jail. All local arrests get processed there, no matter which agency made the arrest. The sheriff's office handles booking and release. They also keep inmate records and work with the courts on warrants and court dates.

Jackson County Jail

The Jackson County Jail is next to the sheriff's office in Scottsboro. It houses inmates awaiting trial. It also holds those serving sentences of two years or less. Longer sentences get sent to the Alabama Department of Corrections. The jail handles all booking for arrests made in Jackson County. This includes arrests by sheriff's deputies, Scottsboro police, or other local agencies.

Booking at the jail means recording personal info, taking fingerprints and photos, and writing down the charges. Bond gets set if it applies. Most people are processed within a few hours of arrival. The time can vary based on how busy the jail is. Family members looking for info about someone just arrested should wait 4-6 hours before calling. The booking process takes time to complete.

How to Search Jackson County Arrest Records

Sheriff's Office Inmate Information

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office gives out info about current inmates through their office. You can call the jail at (256) 574-2610 to ask about someone's custody status. Some sheriff's offices in Alabama post their inmate roster online. Others need a phone call or in-person visit. When calling, have the full name and date of birth ready. This helps staff find the right record fast.

If you need to visit in person, the sheriff's office is open during regular business hours. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can share the charges and bond amount too. For more detailed records or copies of booking documents, you may need to submit a formal public records request.

Alacourt Public Access

For court records after charges have been filed, use the Alacourt Public Access portal. This is the statewide system for looking up case info in all 67 Alabama counties. To search Jackson County cases, go to the website. Select Jackson County from the list. Pick the case type (Criminal, Traffic, or other). Then type in the name or case number. You can also search by date range for cases from a set time period.

Alacourt shows case filings, hearings, plea info, trial dates, verdicts, and sentencing details. The system covers District Court cases (misdemeanors) and Circuit Court cases (felonies). There is no fee to search Alacourt. You don't need to make an account. Just know the system only has cases after charges were filed. An arrest that did not lead to charges won't show up here.

Alabama VINE Notification System

The Alabama VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system lets you track an inmate's custody status. You can sign up for release alerts too. This is useful if you need to know when someone gets out of jail. Search by name to see if they are in the Jackson County Jail or another Alabama facility.

You can sign up to get alerts by phone, email, or text when the person's status changes. This includes releases, transfers, and escapes. The service is free and works around the clock. Crime victims often use VINE to stay informed about offenders. But anyone can sign up for alerts.

In-Person Records Requests

For records not available online, you can go to the sheriff's office or Circuit Clerk's office in person. Bring a valid ID and be ready to fill out a request form. Say exactly what records you need. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. Some requests can be filled while you wait. Others may take a few days, especially for older records stored off-site.

Jackson County Court Records

Criminal cases in Jackson County go through the 38th Judicial Circuit Court system. The Circuit Court handles felony cases. It also hears appeals from lower courts. District Court takes care of misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. Both courts are in the Jackson County Courthouse in Scottsboro.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records for the county. This includes criminal case files, civil records, and domestic relations cases. The clerk's office handles requests for copies of court documents. They can give you certified copies when needed. Certified copies are often needed for official purposes. These include background checks or legal matters in other places.

District Court

Jackson County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. If a felony case starts in District Court with a preliminary hearing, it gets sent to Circuit Court for trial. This happens if the judge finds probable cause. District Court records include case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes for misdemeanor matters.

Understanding Case Dispositions

When you look up a case in Alacourt or ask the clerk for records, you'll see how the case ended. Common outcomes include guilty plea, conviction at trial, not guilty verdict, nolle prosequi (charges dropped), and dismissal. Each outcome means something different for the person's criminal record. Convictions stay on record unless expunged. Dismissals and not guilty verdicts may qualify for expungement under Alabama law.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Scottsboro Police Department

The Scottsboro Police Department handles law enforcement in the city limits of Scottsboro, the county seat. Arrests made by Scottsboro PD are processed at the Jackson County Jail. For records tied to Scottsboro Police investigations or incident reports, contact their department directly.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)

For a complete criminal history report, you can ask for an official background check through ALEA. This gives you a more thorough record than just searching online. The ALEA report includes arrests and convictions from across the state. Not just one county. You need to submit fingerprints with your application and pay a $25 fee. Results typically take 5-10 business days by mail. Or you can get same-day results by going to the ALEA office in Montgomery in person.

Federal Court Records

Jackson County falls within the Northern District of Alabama for federal court purposes. Federal crimes are prosecuted separately from state crimes. Federal arrest records are not in county or state databases. Search federal court records through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Find federal inmates using the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Alabama Department of Corrections

If someone has been convicted of a felony in Jackson County and sent to state prison, they go to the Alabama Department of Corrections. The ADOC Inmate Search lets you find current state prison inmates. Enter the person's name to see their location, sentence length, and release date. This database only covers state prison inmates. Not people in county jail.

Fees for Jackson County Arrest Records

Looking up info is usually free. This is true whether you call the jail, use Alacourt, or visit in person to view records. Fees kick in when you need copies. Certified copies with an official seal cost more. The Circuit Clerk's office sets fees for court document copies. Payment methods usually include cash, check, and money order. Some offices take credit cards. It's best to call ahead and ask.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law gives the public a right to access government records. This includes arrest records. Under Alabama Code 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy any public writing of this state. This law forms the legal basis for asking for arrest records in Jackson County and throughout Alabama.

What Information Is Available

Public arrest records in Jackson County usually include the name of the person arrested. They also show the date and time of arrest, charges at booking, bond amount if set, mugshot photo, and the arresting agency. After a case goes to court, you can also get case numbers and charges as filed by the prosecutor. Hearing dates and outcomes are there too. So are plea info, verdict if there was a trial, and sentencing details for convictions.

Records That May Be Restricted

Not everything is public. Juvenile records are confidential under Alabama law. Records sealed by court order are not available. Expunged records are removed from public databases. Active investigation files may be withheld until an arrest occurs. Personal info like Social Security numbers and home addresses are usually redacted from records given to the public.

Expungement in Alabama

Alabama allows certain arrest records to be expunged under specific conditions. If charges were dismissed or the person was found not guilty, they may be able to have the record sealed. The same goes for those who completed a diversion program like drug court. Some misdemeanor convictions qualify for expungement after a waiting period. The process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court. There's a $500 filing fee. If the court grants expungement, the record is sealed from public view. The person usually does not have to tell employers about the arrest on job applications.

Search Jackson County Records

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

Cities in Jackson County

Jackson County includes several cities and towns. Scottsboro is the county seat and largest city. Arrests made by city police anywhere in the county get processed at the Jackson County Jail.

Cities in Jackson County include Scottsboro, Bridgeport, Stevenson, Hollywood, Pisgah, Section, and Paint Rock. These are smaller communities. They do not have dedicated pages on this site. But residents can access arrest records through the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the Alacourt system.

Nearby Counties

Looking for arrest records in northeast Alabama? You may also want to check these nearby counties.