Access Lamar County Arrest Records
Lamar County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. This office runs the county jail in Vernon. The county is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. It shares that circuit with Fayette and Pickens Counties.
Lamar County Quick Facts
Lamar County Sheriff's Office
The Lamar County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It also runs the county jail. Deputies patrol the unincorporated areas, serve warrants, and provide court security. They also manage the jail. All arrests in Lamar County go through the county jail in Vernon. This is true whether the arrest was made by a sheriff's deputy or a local police officer.
Lamar County is a smaller rural county. It does not have an online inmate roster or jail search portal. You cannot look up current inmates through a website. Instead, you need to call the sheriff's office or visit in person. Staff can tell you if someone is being held. They can also share the charges and bond amount.
| Address | 355 2nd Avenue NW Vernon, AL 35592 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 695-7172 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (administrative) |
The jail runs around the clock for booking and release. If you need to post bond after hours, local bail bondsmen are usually available. Just know that office staff may not be there to answer detailed questions outside normal hours.
How to Find Lamar County Arrest Records
Contact the Sheriff's Office
There is no online inmate lookup for Lamar County. Your best bet is to call the sheriff's office at (205) 695-7172. Have the full legal name of the person ready. Staff can tell you if they are in custody. They can also share the charges and bond amount. If the arrest was recent, it may take a few hours for booking to finish. The person might not show up in the system right away.
Alacourt Public Access
Once charges are filed in court, you can look up case info through the Alacourt Public Access system. This is the state's official court records database. It covers all 67 Alabama counties, including Lamar County. To search:
- Go to pa.alacourt.com
- Select Lamar County from the county dropdown
- Choose the case type (Criminal, Traffic, etc.)
- Enter the person's name or case number
- View the results to see case details
Alacourt shows case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. You can see if a case is still pending or closed. It also shows the outcome. This service is free. You do not need to sign up or make an account. The system gets updates as courts enter new info.
VINELink Inmate Tracking
Alabama uses the VINELink victim notification network. It covers Lamar County. You can search for inmates across the state. You can also sign up for alerts when their status changes. This helps if you need to know when someone gets released or moved to another facility. The service is free. You can get alerts by phone, email, or text.
In-Person Requests
Some records are not available by phone or online. For those, you can visit the Sheriff's Office or Circuit Court Clerk in person. Bring a valid ID. Be ready to explain what records you need. Older records may need to be pulled from storage. The clerk's office can give you certified copies of court documents for legal use.
Lamar County Court Records
Criminal cases in Lamar County go to the 24th Judicial Circuit Court. The county shares this circuit with Fayette and Pickens Counties. The circuit judge travels between all three courthouses. Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings. Court records become public once a case is filed.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records in Lamar County. This office handles case filings and maintains court dockets. It also processes requests for document copies. If you need certified copies for a job, a license, or other legal purposes, you must get them here.
| Address | Lamar County Courthouse 330 1st Street NE Vernon, AL 35592 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 695-7123 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
District Court
District Court handles lower-level criminal matters. This includes misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings for felonies. It also handles small claims and some civil cases. District Court records are searchable through Alacourt. If someone was arrested for a misdemeanor in Lamar County, that case will likely go to District Court.
What Court Records Show
Court records in Lamar County usually include the charging document or indictment. They also show motions filed by both sides. You can see hearing dates and what happened at each one. The defendant's plea is on file. If the case went to trial, you can find trial info, the verdict, and sentencing details. Once a case is closed, the full record stays public. The only exceptions are if a judge sealed certain documents or the record was expunged.
Additional Arrest Record Resources
Alabama VINE System
The Alabama VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system tracks inmates across the state. You can search for offenders by name. You can also sign up for alerts when their status changes. This covers county jails and state prisons. Call 1-877-846-3425 or visit the website. Registration is free. Alerts are available 24 hours a day.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For a full criminal history report, you can ask ALEA for an official background check. This covers arrests and convictions from across Alabama. It is more complete than searching county by county. It pulls info from all 67 counties at once. You need to submit fingerprints and pay a $25 fee. Jobs in sensitive fields often require this check. So do professional licenses and adoption cases.
To ask for an ALEA criminal history check, fill out Form 46. Include a copy of your photo ID. Submit fingerprints on an FBI-approved card. Mail everything with payment to ALEA Criminal Records Unit, P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. By mail, it takes about 5-10 business days. You can also go in person to the ALEA office in Montgomery. In-person requests are processed the same day.
Federal Court Records
Lamar County is in the Northern District of Alabama for federal court. If someone was arrested by a federal agency, the case goes to federal court. It would not go through the Lamar County court system. You can search federal court records through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). To find federal inmates, use the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
Alabama Department of Corrections
People sentenced to more than one year go to a state prison, not the county jail. If someone was convicted in Lamar County and sent to state prison, you can find them using the ADOC Inmate Search. This shows the current facility, sentence info, and projected release date. It does not include county jail inmates or people waiting for trial.
Sex Offender Registry
The ALEA Sex Offender Registry lets you search for sex offenders in Lamar County and across Alabama. You can search by name, address, or zip code. Results include photos and offense details. You can sign up for email alerts. These tell you when a sex offender moves into your area.
Fees for Lamar County Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Phone Inquiry to Sheriff's Office | 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 |
Processing Times
| Request Type | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Phone inquiry to jail | Immediate (during office hours) |
| Alacourt case search | Immediate |
| Certified court copies | 1-5 business days |
| ALEA background check (mail) | 5-10 business days |
| ALEA background check (in-person) | Same day |
Most basic searches are free. Calling the sheriff's office costs nothing. Alacourt is also free. Fees come in when you need certified copies or an official ALEA background report. Payment methods vary by office. Call ahead to check what they accept. The Circuit Clerk's office usually takes cash, checks, and money orders.
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
Alabama Public Records Law
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can inspect and copy public records. There are some exceptions set by law. This is the legal basis for public access to arrest records in Lamar County and across Alabama. The jailer's logbook, which has booking info, is a public record.
What Arrest Information Is Public
When someone is arrested in Lamar County, certain info is public. This includes the name, date and time of arrest, charges, bond amount, and arresting agency. Mugshots are usually public too. Once a case is filed in court, more info becomes available. You can see formal charges, hearing dates, motions, the plea, verdict, and sentencing details.
Records That Are Not Public
Some arrest-related records are not public under Alabama law. Juvenile arrest records are confidential per Alabama Code Section 12-15-102. Records that have been expunged or sealed are removed from public view. Info about ongoing investigations may be withheld. So can unexecuted warrants. Personal details like Social Security numbers are usually blacked out on public documents.
Expungement in Alabama
Alabama lets some arrest records be expunged under Alabama Code Title 15, Chapter 27. You may qualify if charges were dismissed. You may also qualify if you were found not guilty at trial. Completing a pretrial diversion program like drug court or mental health court can also make you eligible. Some non-violent misdemeanor or felony convictions qualify after a waiting period. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and certain serious crimes do not qualify.
To seek expungement in Lamar County, file a petition with the 24th Judicial Circuit Court. The filing fee is $500. Fee waivers are available if you show financial hardship. You need a certified copy of your criminal history from ALEA to include with the petition. A hearing may be set. You can present your case to the judge there. If granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view. You usually do not have to list it on job applications.
Legal Resources in Lamar County
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal help to low-income residents of Lamar County. They do not handle criminal defense cases. But they can help with expungement petitions. They also give referrals for criminal matters. They serve people who cannot afford a private attorney.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. It can connect you with attorneys who practice in Lamar County. This is useful if you need a criminal defense lawyer. It also helps if you need an attorney for an expungement petition. Call (800) 392-5660 to get a referral.
Public Defender
If you have been arrested and cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. At your first court appearance, tell the judge you cannot afford an attorney. Ask for a public defender. The court will check your finances to see if you qualify. Public defenders handle criminal cases for people who cannot pay throughout the 24th Judicial Circuit.
Circuit Court Self-Help Resources
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts has self-help resources. These help people who need to use the court system without a lawyer. Forms for common filings, including expungement petitions, are available through the courts. The expungement process can be tricky though. Talk to an attorney if your situation is not simple.
Search Lamar County Records
Use the search tool below to find arrest records and other public records in Lamar County and across Alabama.
Cities in Lamar County
Lamar County has several small communities. Vernon is the county seat and the largest town. No city in the county has more than 100,000 people. There are no city pages for Lamar County communities. All arrests by local police are booked at the Lamar County Jail.
Communities in Lamar County include Vernon, Millport, Sulligent, Kennedy, and Detroit. Each has its own local government. But criminal cases from all parts of the county go through the 24th Judicial Circuit Court. If someone is arrested anywhere in Lamar County, they go to the Lamar County Jail in Vernon. They stay there until bail or trial.
Nearby Counties
Need to search arrest records in a nearby county? Pick one below. Each county has its own sheriff's office, jail, and court system. Lamar County shares the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Pickens Counties.