Find Arrest Records in Lee County
Lee County arrest records are kept by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. They run a medium to maximum security jail on Frederick Road in Opelika. Lee County is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama. It's home to Auburn University. The county processes a lot of arrests each year through its jail, which can hold about 420 detainees. The Sheriff's Office has an online inmate search tool on their website. You can look up current inmates by name, date of birth, or booking number. Records requests can be made by phone, mail, or in person at the main office in Opelika.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Sheriff's Office
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for areas outside city limits. They also run the county jail. The Sheriff's Office keeps all arrest records, booking info, and inmate data for people who go through the Lee County Jail. Sheriff Jay Jones and his staff handle law enforcement for the county. This includes patrol work, investigations, court security, and civil process.
| Main Office Address | 1900 Frederick Road Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (334) 749-5651 |
| County Seat | Opelika |
| Website | www.leecountysheriff.org |
Lee County Detention Facility
The Lee County Jail is a medium to maximum security facility. It sits at the Sheriff's Office complex on Frederick Road. The jail can hold about 420 detainees at any given time. It houses people who are waiting for trial. It also holds those serving short sentences of less than one year. Some inmates are there while waiting to be moved to state prison after sentencing. The facility runs 24/7. Trained corrections officers manage daily operations.
| Jail Address | 1900 Frederick Road Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Facility Type | Medium to Maximum Security |
| Capacity | Approximately 420 detainees |
Online Inmate Search
The Lee County Sheriff's Office has a free online inmate search tool on their website. This lets the public look up people who are currently held at the Lee County Jail. The search gets updated often as new bookings happen and inmates get released.
How to Use the Inmate Search
To find an inmate at the Lee County Jail, go to the Sheriff's Office website at leecosheriffal.gov/inmateSearch. You can search by name, date of birth, or booking number. The results show booking photos, current charges, bond amounts, and other info. The database only shows current inmates. If someone has been released or moved to another facility, they won't show up.
For old arrest records or info about people no longer in custody, you need to contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Phone requests for basic info are handled during regular business hours. You may need to send a written request to get official copies of arrest reports and other documents.
Information Available Online
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Booking date and time
- Current charges filed
- Bond amount if set by the court
- Projected release date when available
- Holding agency information
VINELink Victim Notification
Lee County takes part in the Alabama VINE program. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. This service lets crime victims and others track the custody status of offenders. It works for Lee County and all of Alabama. You can sign up to get alerts when an inmate is released, moved, or escapes.
VINELink is free and runs 24/7. You can sign up online through the VINELink website or call their toll-free number. Alerts can come by phone, email, or text. You pick what works best for you. This is a key safety tool for victims who need to know when an offender's status changes.
How to Register for VINE Notifications
Go to VINELink.com and search for the offender by name. Once you find the right person, you can sign up to get alerts about any changes to their custody status. You'll need to give your contact info and create an account. It only takes a few minutes. The service is free for everyone.
Requesting Arrest Records
The Lee County Sheriff's Office handles public records requests for arrests and bookings. You can ask for records in a few different ways. The method you pick depends on what info you need and how fast you need it. The office works on requests Monday through Friday during regular hours.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Sheriff's Office at 1900 Frederick Road in Opelika during regular hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Have as much info as you can about the person whose records you need. Staff can often handle simple requests while you wait. More complex searches may take extra time. You can pay fees right when you make your request.
Mail Requests
Mail a written request to the Sheriff's Office at the address listed above. Include the full name, date of birth if you know it, rough date of arrest, and a return address. Send payment for any fees with your request. Mail requests usually take 5-10 business days. It depends on how complex the search is and how busy they are.
Phone Requests
For general questions about current inmates or recent bookings, call the Sheriff's Office at (334) 749-5651. Phone calls work best for simple questions. If you need more detailed records, you'll have to submit a written request or go in person. Staff can tell you what records are on file and what fees apply.
What Records Are Available
The Sheriff's Office can give you copies of arrest reports, booking records, incident reports, and related documents. Some info may be off limits under Alabama law. This includes juvenile records, sealed records, and some personal info. Staff can tell you what's available for your request and what limits may apply.
Lee County Circuit Court
Lee County is part of the 37th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Criminal cases that go past the arrest and booking stage are handled by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's office keeps records of all criminal court cases. This includes felonies, appeals, and other court matters. The courthouse is in downtown Opelika, the county seat.
| Court | 37th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 S. 9th Street Opelika, AL 36801 |
| Phone | (334) 737-3560 |
Alacourt Access
Alabama has a statewide court records system called Alacourt Access. It gives online access to circuit and district court records for Lee County. You can search for criminal cases by name, case number, or other info. The system shows case dockets, filing dates, hearing schedules, and final outcomes. There is a fee for full access to Alacourt. Some basic info may be free at public terminals in the courthouse.
District Court
Misdemeanor cases in Lee County are handled by the District Court. These are offenses like DUI, minor drug possession, simple assault, theft under certain amounts, and traffic violations. District Court records are also on Alacourt Access. You can also contact the District Clerk's office in person at the courthouse.
Additional Record Sources
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For statewide criminal background checks that cover Lee County and all of Alabama, you can ask for a report from ALEA. ALEA is the main hub for criminal history info in the state. Background checks need fingerprinting and a fee. This works well when you need a full criminal history, not just records from one county.
Auburn Police Department
The Auburn Police Department handles arrests within Auburn city limits. Most people who are arrested end up at the Lee County Jail. But arrest reports for incidents in Auburn can be gotten from the Auburn Police Records Division. Auburn is home to Auburn University. The school brings a large student population to the area.
Opelika Police Department
The Opelika Police Department handles arrests within Opelika city limits. Like Auburn, arrest reports for incidents in Opelika can be gotten from the Opelika Police Department. People arrested by Opelika police are usually booked into the Lee County Jail.
Auburn University Police Department
Auburn University has its own campus police. They handle incidents on university property. The Auburn University Police keeps records of arrests made on campus. For records about on-campus incidents, contact the campus police directly.
Fees for Arrest Record Requests
Lee County charges fees for copies of arrest records and related documents. Fees help cover the cost of searching, finding, and copying records. Here are the typical fees you can expect:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Arrest Report Copy | $5.00 - $25.00 (varies by complexity) |
| Incident Report | $5.00 per report |
| Additional Pages | $0.25 - $0.50 per page |
| Certification Fee | $5.00 per document |
| Background Check (ALEA) | $25.00 |
You can usually pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Some offices may take credit cards for certain requests. Call the Sheriff's Office to check current fees and payment methods before you send your request. Fees can change, so it's smart to check the amounts first.
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
Access to arrest records in Lee County is set by Alabama state law. Knowing these laws can help you understand what info is available. It also helps you know what limits may apply to your request.
Public Records Law
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to look at and copy public records. Arrest records are usually public records in Alabama. This means most booking info, charges, and case outcomes are open to the public. But some info may be off limits. This includes ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and sealed court files.
Criminal History Information
Alabama Code Sections 41-9-590 through 41-9-646 cover the Criminal Justice Information Center and how criminal history data is collected. ALEA is the main hub for this info. They get arrest data from local law enforcement agencies, including the Lee County Sheriff's Office. This central system makes statewide background checks possible.
Expungement
Under Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 and Section 15-27-2, people can ask to have certain arrest records expunged (sealed). Expungement is an option for charges that were dismissed, ended in acquittal, or were never prosecuted. Some misdemeanors and non-violent felonies may also qualify after a waiting period. Expunged records are not open to the public. But law enforcement can still see them for official reasons.
Juvenile Records
Alabama Code Section 12-15-136 protects juvenile records and keeps them private. Arrest records for people under 18 at the time of the alleged offense are usually not open to the public. You need a court order to get juvenile records. Immediate family members may have some limited access rights.
Cities in Lee County
Lee County has two main cities: Opelika (the county seat) and Auburn (home to Auburn University). These are the two primary towns in the county. Arrests made by city police in Lee County usually go through the Lee County Jail. You can get records from the Sheriff's Office or from the city police department.
Auburn has about 76,000 people. It's best known as the home of Auburn University, one of the biggest schools in the Southeast. The student population has a big impact on the city's makeup and law enforcement needs. Opelika, the county seat, has about 32,000 people. It serves as the main hub for Lee County government.
Other smaller spots in Lee County include Smiths Station, Phenix City (partly in Lee County), Beauregard, and Loachapoka. The Lee County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for these areas.
Nearby Counties
If you can't find the arrest records you need in Lee County, the arrest may have happened in a nearby county. Each county keeps its own arrest records through its Sheriff's Office. Lee County shares borders with several other Alabama counties. Georgia is to the east.