Search Marion County Arrest Records
Marion County arrest records are maintained by the Marion County Sheriff's Office in Hamilton. The county jail processes all local arrests and holds inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
Marion County Quick Facts
Marion County Sheriff's Office
The Marion County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They run the detention center in Hamilton. The office handles patrol work, criminal cases, civil process, and court security. Deputies cover the parts of Marion County outside city limits. They also back up local police when needed. All arrests in the county go through the Marion County Jail. It does not matter if a sheriff's deputy or city cop made the arrest.
Marion County sits in the northwest corner of Alabama. It is a rural area. Mississippi is just to the west. The sheriff's office has less staff than big city counties. This can mean longer wait times in far-off spots. Still, the team stays active all over the county.
| Address | 132 Military Street South Hamilton, AL 35570 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (205) 921-2116 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (administrative) |
Marion County Jail
The Marion County Jail sits at the same site as the sheriff's office in Hamilton. It holds people who have been arrested and are waiting for court. It also holds those serving less than one year. The jail is open 24/7 for booking and release. But office staff are only there during normal work hours.
Like many small Alabama counties, Marion County has no online inmate search. If you want to know if someone is locked up, call the jail or go there. Staff can tell you who is there. They can share charges and bond info too.
| Jail Address | 132 Military Street South Hamilton, AL 35570 |
|---|---|
| Jail Phone | (205) 921-2116 |
| Booking Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Finding an Inmate
Marion County does not have an online inmate roster. To find out if someone is being held at the jail, you have several options:
- Call the jail: Dial (205) 921-2116 and ask if a specific person is in custody.
- Visit in person: Go to the sheriff's office at 132 Military Street South in Hamilton.
- Use VINELink: Check the VINELink system, which tracks inmates across all Alabama counties.
When you call, have the person's full legal name ready. Jail staff can tell you if they are there. They will share the charges and bond amount too. Keep in mind that it can take a few hours for someone just arrested to show up in the system. Booking takes time.
Bonding and Release Process
If someone can post bond in Marion County, they get out until court. The bond amount depends on the charges. A judge sets it, or it follows a set schedule for common crimes. Here are the ways to post bond:
Cash Bond
You can pay the full bond in cash at the jail. When the case ends, you get the money back. Court costs and fees come out first. Cash bonds are taken during normal work hours.
Surety Bond (Bail Bondsman)
Most people use a bail bondsman. You pay a fee that you do not get back. It is usually 10-15% of the bond. The bondsman posts the full amount with the court. They take on the risk if the person skips court. If that happens, the bondsman loses the money. They may send someone to find the person. Several bail bond firms serve Marion County around the clock.
Property Bond
In some cases, you can use land or a home to back a bond. The court must approve it. You need papers to show the property is worth more than the bond. Property bonds are less common. They also take longer than cash or surety bonds.
Release on Recognizance
For minor crimes and first-time cases, a judge may let someone go on their own word. This means no money up front. The person just promises to show up for court. This is rare for big charges. But it happens often for small ones.
Marion County Court Records
After an arrest in Marion County, charges go through the 25th Judicial Circuit Court. Marion County shares this court with Lamar and Fayette counties. The Circuit Court handles felonies. The District Court deals with lesser crimes, traffic tickets, and first hearings. Court records go public once a case is filed. You can search them online.
Alacourt Public Access
The Alacourt Public Access system is the main way to look up court records in Marion County. This free state system covers all 67 Alabama counties. Here is how to use it:
- Visit pa.alacourt.com
- Select Marion County from the county dropdown
- Pick the case type (Criminal, Traffic, Civil, etc.)
- Enter the name of the person or a case number
- Review the search results
The system shows case numbers, charges filed, hearing dates, and how cases ended. You can see if a case is still open. Or check if it ended with a guilty verdict, got tossed out, or had some other result. Alacourt is free. No sign-up needed.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Marion County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all official court records. They handle requests for certified copies. If you need court papers for a job or another court, you must get them here.
| Address | Marion County Courthouse 132 Military Street South Hamilton, AL 35570 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 921-7451 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
District Court
Marion County District Court handles lesser crimes, traffic tickets, small claims, and first hearings for felonies. This court is in the same building. You can search district court cases on Alacourt too. Just pick the right case type.
Additional Arrest Record Resources
Alabama VINE
The Alabama VINE system lets you track inmates in Marion County. You get alerts when their status changes. This is helpful if you need to know when someone gets out, moves, or escapes. Sign up for phone, email, or text alerts. It is free and runs all day, every day. Call 1-877-846-3425 or go to the site to sign up.
Hamilton Police Department
The Hamilton Police handle law enforcement in the city of Hamilton. Arrests by Hamilton PD go to the Marion County Jail. For police reports or info on certain events, call Hamilton Police. They keep their own records, separate from the sheriff.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For a full criminal history check across all of Alabama, ask ALEA for a report. You must send in fingerprints and pay $25. The report shows arrests and convictions from all 67 counties. Not just Marion County. Jobs, licenses, and adoptions often need this check.
Federal Court Records
Federal cases in Marion County go through the Northern District of Alabama. Federal arrests are handled apart from state cases. Search federal court records on PACER. To find federal inmates, use the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
State Prison Inmates
If someone got more than one year in prison from a Marion County case, they go to a state prison. Use the ADOC Inmate Search to find them. It shows the prison they are at, how long their term is, and when they might get out.
Sex Offender Registry
The ALEA Sex Offender Registry lists sex offenders in Marion County and all of Alabama. Search by name, address, or zip code. The list shows photos, what they did, and where they live now.
Fees for Marion County Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Phone Inquiry (Jail) | Free |
| Alacourt Case Search | Free |
| VINELink Registration | Free |
| Certified Court Record Copy | $1.00 - $5.00 per page |
| ALEA Criminal History Check | $25.00 |
Processing Times
| Request Type | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Phone inquiry to jail | Immediate (during hours) |
| Alacourt case search | Immediate |
| Certified court copies | 1-5 business days |
| ALEA background check | 5-10 business days |
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
Public Records Law
Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, Alabama residents can look at and copy public records. This includes arrest records, booking logs, and court papers. The jail log, which lists all inmates, is public by law. There are some exceptions for sensitive info. But most arrest records are open to anyone who asks.
What Information Is Public
The following arrest information is generally public in Marion County:
- Name of the person arrested
- Date and time of arrest
- Charges at booking
- Bond amount
- Arresting agency
- Mugshot photographs
Once a case goes to court, more info goes public. This includes charges, hearing dates, pleas, verdicts, and sentences.
Records Not Available to the Public
Some records are off limits under Alabama law. Arrest records for people under 18 are kept private per Alabama Code § 12-15-102. Sealed and expunged records are not public. Info on open cases and warrants not yet served may be held back. Social Security numbers get removed from papers given to the public.
Expungement in Alabama
Alabama lets you clear some arrest records under Alabama Code Title 15, Chapter 27. You may be able to do this if your charges were dropped. Or if you were found not guilty. Or if you finished a program like drug court. Some non-violent crimes can be expunged too. You just have to wait a set time after your case ends.
To start, you file a request with the Marion County Circuit Court. The filing fee is usually $500. Fee waivers exist if you can not pay. You need a certified criminal history from ALEA. Send it in with your request. If the court says yes, the record gets sealed. Law enforcement can still see it. But it will not show up on most background checks.
Legal Resources in Marion County
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income people in the state. They can help with civil matters and your rights. They also guide you through expungement. They do not take criminal defense cases. But they can point you to other help.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
Need a criminal defense lawyer or help with expungement? The Alabama State Bar has a referral service. Call (800) 392-5660. They can connect you with lawyers who work in Marion County and nearby.
Public Defender
If you face charges and can not pay for a lawyer, you may get a public defender. Ask for one at your first court date. This is called the arraignment. The court will ask about your money and assets. They will then decide if you qualify.
Self-Help Resources
The Alabama courts have self-help resources and forms on their site. The Alabama Court website has info on how courts work. It also has forms you can use. These help if you represent yourself. It is not the same as legal advice. But it can help you understand how things work.
Search Marion County Records
Use the search tool below to find arrest records and other public records in Marion County and across Alabama.
Cities in Marion County
Marion County has several cities and towns. Hamilton is the county seat and the largest city. No city here has more than 100,000 people. When city police make an arrest, it goes to the Marion County Jail. All criminal cases go through the Marion County courts.
Major towns in Marion County are Hamilton, Winfield, Guin, Hackleburg, Bear Creek, and Brilliant. Each has its own police force. The sheriff patrols the areas outside town limits. No matter who makes the arrest, the person goes to the Marion County Jail. That is where booking happens.
Nearby Counties
Need to search arrest records in a nearby county? Pick one below. Each county runs its own sheriff's office and jail. Records are kept separate.