Search Mobile County Arrest Records
Mobile County arrest records are kept by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. They run the Metro Jail on St. Emanuel Street. This is Alabama's second biggest county with over 400,000 people living along the Gulf Coast. A lot of arrests happen here each year. The Sheriff's Office has a free online tool called "Who's in Jail" where you can look up current inmates. You can see booking info and mugshots for people held at the Metro Jail. Need records? You can ask for them by mail, phone, or by going to the main office in person.
Mobile County Quick Facts
Mobile County Sheriff's Office
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for parts of the county outside city limits. They also run the county jail. The Sheriff's Office keeps all arrest records, booking info, and inmate data for anyone who goes through the Mobile County Metro Jail.
| Main Office Address | 510 S. Royal Street Mobile, AL 36603 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (251) 574-2423 |
| Non-Emergency Dispatch | (251) 574-8633 |
| Records Division Email | yrcalhoun@mobileso.com |
| Website | www.mobileso.com |
Metro Jail Facility
The Mobile County Metro Jail sits at 450 St. Emanuel Street in Mobile. It's a maximum-security facility. The jail can hold about 1,500 people at a time, which makes it one of the biggest in Alabama. Who's inside? People waiting for trial, folks serving short sentences, and inmates on their way to state prison.
| Metro Jail Address | 450 St. Emanuel Street Mobile, AL 36603 |
|---|---|
| Facility Type | Maximum Security |
| Daily Capacity | Approximately 1,500 detainees |
Online Inmate Search
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office has a free inmate search on their website. It's called "Who's in Jail." Anyone can use it to find people being held at the Metro Jail right now.
How to Use the Inmate Search
To find someone at the Metro Jail, go to the Sheriff's Office website. Look for "Who's in Jail." You can search by last name, first name, or booking number. Results show booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and when they might get out. The site updates throughout the day as new people come in and others leave.
One thing to know: the online search only shows current inmates. If someone got released or moved to another facility, they won't show up. Looking for old arrest records? Or info on someone who's not in custody anymore? You'll need to call or visit the Records Division.
Information Available Online
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Booking date and time
- Current charges
- Bond amount (if set)
- Projected release date
- Holding agency
Requesting Arrest Records
The Records Division handles all public records requests for arrests and bookings. How you ask depends on what you need and how fast you need it. There are a few ways to get records.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Sheriff's Office at 510 S. Royal Street during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Know as much as you can about the person you're looking up. Simple requests often get done while you wait. Harder searches take more time.
Mail Requests
Mail a written request to the Records Division at the address above. Put in the person's full name, date of birth if you have it, and when they were arrested (roughly). Don't forget your return address and payment for fees. Mail requests usually take 5-10 business days. Complex searches can take longer.
Phone and Email Requests
Got a quick question? Call the Sheriff's Office main number or email yrcalhoun@mobileso.com. Phone works best for simple stuff like current inmates or recent bookings. If you need detailed records, put your request in writing.
What Records Are Available
The Sheriff's Office can give you copies of arrest reports, booking records, and incident reports. Some stuff is off limits under Alabama law. Juvenile records, sealed records, and certain personal info can't be shared. Not sure what you can get? The Records Division staff can tell you what's available.
Mobile County Circuit Court
Mobile County sits in the 13th Judicial Circuit. Once an arrest moves past booking, the Circuit Court takes over. The Circuit Clerk keeps records of all criminal cases. This includes felonies, appeals, and other court matters.
| Court | 13th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 |
| Phone | (251) 574-8400 |
Alacourt Access
Alacourt Access is Alabama's statewide court records system. It lets you look up circuit and district court records for Mobile County online. Search by defendant name, case number, or other info. You can find case dockets, filing dates, hearing dates, and how cases ended. Full access costs money. But you might find basic info for free at public terminals inside the courthouse.
District Court
Misdemeanors go to District Court. We're talking DUI, minor drug charges, assault, small thefts, and traffic tickets. You can find these records on Alacourt Access too. Or just call the District Clerk's office.
Additional Record Sources
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
Need arrest records from more than just Mobile County? ALEA does statewide background checks. They're the central hub for criminal history in Alabama. You'll need to get fingerprinted and pay a fee. This works well when you want a full criminal history, not just one county.
Mobile Police Department
The Mobile Police Department makes arrests inside city limits. Most people end up at the Metro Jail, which the Sheriff runs. But if the arrest happened in the city, you might need to get the report from Mobile PD's Records Division instead.
VINE Notification System
Alabama VINE lets victims and others track offenders in custody. Sign up and you'll get a notice when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. It's free. Works 24/7.
Fees for Arrest Record Requests
Mobile County charges for copies of arrest records. These fees cover the cost of searching and copying. Here's what you'll typically pay:
| 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 |
They take cash, money orders, and cashier's checks. Some online portals might take credit cards. Call the Records Division first to check current fees and how they want you to pay.
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
Alabama state law controls who can see arrest records in Mobile County. Knowing these rules helps you understand what you can and can't get.
Public Records Law
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy public records. Arrest records count as public in Alabama. So most booking info, charges, and case outcomes are open to anyone. But some things are off limits. Ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and sealed court files stay private.
Criminal History Information
Alabama Code Sections 41-9-590 through 41-9-646 cover how the state collects criminal history data. ALEA is the main place where all this info goes. They get arrest data from local agencies like the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
Expungement
Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 and Section 15-27-2 let people ask to have certain arrests sealed. You can expunge charges that got dropped, cases you won, or charges that were never filed. Some misdemeanors and non-violent felonies may qualify too. Once sealed, the public can't see these records. But cops can still look them up when they need to.
Juvenile Records
Alabama Code Section 12-15-136 keeps juvenile records private. If someone was under 18 when arrested, the public usually can't see those records. You need a court order to get them. Family members are the exception.
Cities in Mobile County
Mobile County is home to the city of Mobile. It's Alabama's port city and the state's second biggest. City police bring most arrests to the Metro Jail. You can get records from the Sheriff's Office or from the city police that made the arrest.
Other towns in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Bayou La Batre, and Satsuma. These smaller places have their own cops. But they all use the county jail to hold people.
Nearby Counties
Can't find the arrest records you need here? The arrest might have happened in a nearby county. Each county keeps its own records at its Sheriff's Office.