Macon County Arrest Records

Macon County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Tuskegee. The Sheriff's Office runs all booking and jail work for the county. Inmates go through the Macon County Jail. After charges get filed, cases move to the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. You can find those court records on the Alacourt system.

Macon County Sheriff's Office

The Macon County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for areas outside city limits. They also run the county jail. The office serves warrants, guards the court, handles civil papers, and runs all jail work. Deputies patrol the rural parts of Macon County. They respond to calls across the whole area. The Sheriff's Office teams up with Tuskegee Police and other local cops on crime cases.

Inmate Information

Want to know if someone is in the Macon County Jail? Call the Sheriff's Office at (334) 727-2500. Staff can tell you if a person is booked. They can share basic info on charges and bond amounts too. For more case details, check court records on Alacourt. You can also visit the courthouse in person. The jail keeps records of all bookings, releases, and transfers.

When you call about an inmate, have their full name and birth date ready. This helps staff find the right records fast. Got only part of the name? They can still help, but it takes longer. Bond info is ready once booking wraps up. That can take a few hours after the arrest.

Booking Process

When someone gets arrested in Macon County, they go to the county jail for booking. Booking means fingerprints, photos, personal info, and writing down the charges. How long does it take? A few hours to most of a day, based on how busy the jail is. After booking is done, the person may be able to post bond. It depends on the charges. Bond amounts follow a set schedule. For serious crimes, a judge sets the amount.

Macon County Jail

The Macon County Jail sits at the Sheriff's Office complex in Tuskegee. It holds inmates waiting for trial. It also holds people serving short terms or waiting for a transfer. The jail is small since the county is small. But it takes in all arrests made in Macon County, no matter which agency makes the arrest.

Visitation and Communication

Want to visit someone at the Macon County Jail? Call ahead first. Check the current visit times. Hours and rules can change, so calling saves you a trip. All visitors need valid ID. You may have to go through a search. Cell phones, weapons, and any kind of banned items are not allowed inside.

Inmates can call approved numbers on the jail phone system. Calls are usually collect or need a prepaid account. Mail works too. The jail checks all mail for safety. When you write, put the inmate's full name on the letter. Add the booking number if you have it.

Bond and Release

After booking, most inmates can get bond. But not if they face capital charges. And not if a judge says no to bond. You can post bond at the jail any time, day or night. Cash bonds need the full amount up front. A bail bondsman charges about 10% of the bond as a fee. Property bonds may work but need approval first. Once bond is posted and the paperwork is done, release can still take a few hours.

Court Records and Case Information

After an arrest in Macon County, charges go through the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. Macon County shares this circuit with other nearby counties. Circuit Court takes felony cases. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and first hearings. Both courts keep records you can search online. Use the Alacourt system. It's free.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal gives you free court records for Macon County and all of Alabama. Here's how to search. Go to pa.alacourt.com. Pick Macon County from the list. Choose Criminal as the case type. Type in the person's name. Results show case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and status. You can see court dates and how the case ended.

Alacourt gets updates often. But there may be a lag between what happens in court and what shows online. For the latest info on a pending case, call the Circuit Court Clerk. The online system won't show sealed or expunged records.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Macon County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records. This includes criminal case files, judgments, and sentencing papers. Old records are here too. You can ask for certified copies in person or by mail. The clerk's office also takes care of expungement requests. They handle record sealing under Alabama law.

District Court

Macon County District Court deals with misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, small claims, and first hearings for felonies. You can search District Court records on Alacourt. Just pick District Court as the case type. The District Court is in the same building as the Circuit Court.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Alabama VINE

The Alabama VINE system lets you track inmates in Macon County. You get alerts when their status changes. It's free. Sign up to get a call, email, or text when an inmate gets released, moved, or escapes. Call 1-877-846-3425 or sign up on the VINE site.

Tuskegee Police Department

Tuskegee Police cover law enforcement inside city limits. Tuskegee is the county seat. When Tuskegee PD makes an arrest, booking happens at the Macon County Jail. But the police keep their own incident and arrest reports. Want a copy? Call the police department for incidents that took place in town.

State Prison Inmates

Has someone been sent to state prison? They get moved from the Macon County Jail to an Alabama Department of Corrections site. Use the ADOC Inmate Search tool to find them. It shows where they are now, how long the sentence is, and when they might get out.

Federal Court Records

Federal cases for Macon County go to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama. Federal arrests are separate from state court records. Search federal cases on PACER. Need to find someone in federal prison? Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

ALEA runs the statewide criminal history database. You can send background check requests through them. It costs $25 for a state check. Results show arrest records, charges, and how cases ended from courts all over Alabama. Go to alea.gov to learn more.

Fees for Arrest Records

Most basic arrest and court info is free online. Certified copies and official background checks cost money. Fees vary by record type and which office you use.

Processing Times

How long does it take to get arrest records? It depends on the request type. Online searches show results right away. In-person and mail requests take more time.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records

Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy public records. Some records have limits set by other laws. But arrest records, booking logs, and court records are mostly public in Alabama. The jail logbook is a public record. You can ask to see it.

What Information Is Public

What arrest info is public in Macon County? The inmate's name, birth date, booking date and time, charges, bond amount, court dates, and how the case ended. Mugshots are usually public too. But some personal info stays private. That includes Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and home addresses.

Records Not Available to the Public

Some arrest records are off limits. Juvenile arrests are private under Alabama law, unless the case moves to adult court. Sealed and expunged records can't be shared. Ongoing cases and unserved warrants stay secret too. Mental health records have extra protections. Parts of domestic violence protective orders may be hidden to keep victims safe.

Expungement in Macon County

Alabama law lets you clear certain arrest records. See Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 for details. You may qualify if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Finishing a pretrial program counts too. Some non-violent crimes can be cleared after a wait. To start, file a petition at the Macon County Circuit Court. The fee runs $300 to $500. A judge may hold a hearing to decide. You don't need a lawyer, but one can help.

Legal Resources in Macon County

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income people. They cover Macon County too. They don't do criminal defense. But they can help with expungement papers and explain your rights. They'll point you to the right resources. You must meet income limits to qualify.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

Need to hire a lawyer for a criminal case or expungement? The Alabama State Bar has a referral service. Call (800) 392-5660. They'll connect you with lawyers in Macon County who handle your type of case.

Tuskegee University Legal Clinics

Tuskegee University sits in the county seat. They sometimes hold legal clinics. Contact the school or local groups to hear about free legal help events in Macon County.

Public Defender

Can't afford a lawyer? If you're charged with a crime, the court can give you one for free. The judge will check your finances. If you qualify, you get a public defender. Ask for one at your first court date.

Search Macon County Records

Use this search tool to look up arrest records in Macon County and across Alabama.

Cities in Macon County

Macon County has a few towns. None have over 100,000 people. Tuskegee is the county seat and the biggest city. About 8,500 people live there. Other spots include Shorter, Notasulga, and Franklin. When local cops in these towns make arrests, inmates go to the Macon County Jail. Tuskegee is also home to Tuskegee University. The school adds to the local population when classes are in session.

Looking for arrest records from any Macon County town? Check two places. Call the local police for incident reports. Call the Sheriff's Office for booking and jail records. Court records for all Macon County cases are on Alacourt. It doesn't matter which city the crime happened in.

Nearby Counties

Need to search arrest records in a nearby county? Pick one below to find their sheriff and jail info.