Find Arrest Records in Lowndes County

Lowndes County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Hayneville. You can get them by visiting in person or searching statewide databases. This rural county sits in south-central Alabama. It is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit and handles criminal cases through its Circuit Court. The county does not have an online jail roster. But arrest and court records are still available through Alacourt and by calling the Sheriff's Office.

Lowndes County Sheriff's Office

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It keeps all local arrest records. Sheriff John Williams runs the department. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, court security, and jail operations. You can find the Sheriff's Office in Hayneville, the county seat. This is where you go for all arrest record requests in Lowndes County.

Requesting Arrest Records

To get arrest records from Lowndes County, you need to contact the Sheriff's Office. Phone requests work for basic info. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody right now. For detailed arrest reports or copies of booking records, you may need to visit in person. A written request also works. Have the full name ready when you ask. The approximate arrest date helps too. Include date of birth if you know it.

The Sheriff's Office follows Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 for public records requests. This law gives citizens the right to look at and copy public records. Some info may be held back. This happens when it relates to ongoing investigations or is exempt under state law. Response times vary. Simple requests are faster than complex ones.

Jail Facility

Lowndes County runs a small jail. It holds pretrial detainees and people serving short sentences. The jail has limited space, which matches the county's small population. Inmates facing serious felony charges may be moved to a nearby county jail. This can happen due to space or safety reasons. There is no online inmate roster. Call the jail if you need to check on someone.

Booking at the Lowndes County Jail includes fingerprinting and photography. Staff enter the person's info into the jail system. Bond details come out after booking is done. Got questions about visits, inmate accounts, or jail rules? Call the Sheriff's Office at the number listed above.

Court Records for Criminal Cases

After an arrest in Lowndes County, charges go through the court system. The county is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Butler and Crenshaw counties. Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court takes care of misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Knowing which court has your case helps when you search for records.

2nd Judicial Circuit Court

The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court covers Lowndes, Butler, and Crenshaw counties. Felony criminal cases are heard at the Lowndes County Courthouse in Hayneville. Court records include case filings, hearing dates, motions, orders, and final outcomes. The Circuit Clerk's office keeps physical case files. You can get certified copies of court documents there.

Lowndes County District Court

District Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic tickets in Lowndes County. Preliminary hearings for felonies happen here too. Cases then move on to Circuit Court. Many arrests end up in District Court, not Circuit Court. Looking for records on minor offenses? Check with the District Court Clerk's office.

Alacourt Case Search

The Alacourt Public Access system lets you search court case records for free. It covers all of Alabama, including Lowndes County. To search, go to the Alacourt website. Pick Lowndes County from the dropdown. Choose the case type and enter a name. Results show case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. This is often the fastest way to find court records once charges are filed.

Keep in mind there may be a delay after an arrest. Case info takes time to show up in Alacourt. Cases usually appear after the DA files formal charges. If you do not find a case right after an arrest, wait a few days and check again. You can also call the court clerk directly.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Alabama VINE

The Alabama VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system covers inmates in Lowndes County. This service is free. You can search for an inmate by name. You can also sign up for alerts when their custody status changes. Get notified by phone, email, or text when an inmate is released, moved, or escapes. Call 1-877-846-3425 or visit the website to use this service.

ALEA Criminal History

For official criminal history reports that cover the whole state, ALEA keeps centralized records. To request a check, fill out ALEA Form 46. Provide fingerprints on an FBI-approved card. Include a copy of your photo ID and the $25 fee. Mail requests go to ALEA at P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. You can also go in person to the ALEA office in Montgomery. That is about 25 miles from Hayneville.

Alabama Department of Corrections

If someone went to state prison, their info will show up in the ADOC Inmate Search database. This free online tool shows where inmates are held, sentence info, and release dates. County jail inmates are not in this database. The nearest state prisons to Lowndes County are Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore and Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka.

Federal Cases

Federal criminal cases for Lowndes County go to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery. Federal charges are separate from state charges. They involve violations of federal law. To search federal court records, use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Federal inmates can be found using the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator on their website.

How to Search for Arrest Records

Searching for arrest records in Lowndes County takes a bit of work. There is no single database that has everything. Here is a step-by-step approach that covers the most common cases.

Step 1: Check Current Jail Status

Need to know if someone is in jail right now? Call the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office at (334) 548-2152. Staff can tell you if someone is being held. They can give you basic booking info too. This is the fastest way to check. The county does not have an online jail roster.

Step 2: Search Court Records

Visit Alacourt to search for court case records after charges are filed. Pick Lowndes County from the dropdown and enter the name. Criminal case records will show charges, case status, and how it ended. It may take a few days after an arrest for cases to show up.

Step 3: Request Written Records

Want copies of arrest reports or booking records? Send a written public records request to the Sheriff's Office. Include the full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date. The more info you give, the better. Written requests may take several days. Fees may apply for copies.

Step 4: Check State and Federal Databases

For a full background check, consider the ALEA criminal history check. It costs $25 and covers all state records. Check the ADOC inmate search for anyone in state prison. For federal cases, use PACER. That is where Middle District of Alabama federal court records are kept.

Fees for Arrest Records

Payment Methods

The Circuit Clerk's office and Sheriff's Office take cash and money orders for most fees. Credit card use varies. Call ahead to check payment options before you go. Some court fees can be paid online through Alacourt when that option is available. For mailed requests, include a money order. Make it out to the right office.

Legal Framework

Alabama law controls access to arrest records and criminal justice info. Knowing these laws helps you understand what is public. It also shows what may be off limits.

Public Records Access

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy public records. Some records are exempt by law. Most arrest records, jail booking info, and court case records are public. Section 36-12-41 lets agencies charge fair fees for copies.

Records That Are Not Public

Some criminal justice records are confidential under Alabama law. Juvenile arrest records are protected under Alabama Code Section 12-15-102. The public cannot access them. Sealed and expunged records are also off limits. Active investigation files and warrants that have not been served may be held back. This protects law enforcement work.

Expungement in Alabama

Alabama allows expungement of some arrest and conviction records. This falls under Title 15, Chapter 27 of the Alabama Code. Eligible cases include charges that were dropped or ended in acquittal. Completing a diversion program may also qualify. Some non-violent offenses can be expunged after a waiting period. You must file the petition in the circuit court where the case was heard. There is a $500 filing fee. Hardship waivers are available.

If the court grants the expungement, the record is sealed from public view. It will not show up in most background checks. But expunged records are still visible to law enforcement. You must disclose them when applying for certain jobs. This includes law enforcement or work with children. Need help with expungement? Contact an attorney or call the Alabama Legal Help hotline at 1-866-456-4995.

Communities in Lowndes County

Lowndes County is rural with a small population spread out across several towns. The county seat is Hayneville. That is where you find the courthouse and Sheriff's Office. Other communities include Fort Deposit, White Hall, and Mosses. None of these are big enough to have their own pages on this site.

Arrests made anywhere in the county go through the jail in Hayneville. There is no city police department. The Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement for the county. All arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. It does not matter where in the county the arrest happened.

Hayneville sits along U.S. Highway 80 between Montgomery and Selma. It is the government center of the county. For court matters, all hearings take place at the Lowndes County Courthouse in Hayneville.

Nearby Counties

Not sure which county the arrest was in? Need to search more than one area? The following counties border Lowndes County. Each one keeps its own arrest records and runs its own jail.

Montgomery County to the east is the largest neighbor. It is home to the state capital. Many state resources, including ALEA headquarters, are in Montgomery. That is about 25 miles from Hayneville. Dallas County to the west includes Selma. Butler and Crenshaw counties share the 2nd Judicial Circuit with Lowndes County.

Search Arrest Records

Use the search tool below to look up arrest records in Lowndes County and throughout Alabama.