Access Pickens County Arrest Records
Pickens County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Carrollton. The county jail holds people who are waiting for trial. It also holds those serving short sentences for misdemeanor crimes.
Pickens County Quick Facts
Pickens County Sheriff's Office
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the whole county. It also runs the county jail. Deputies patrol rural areas and towns that lack their own police. The office takes care of civil process, court security, and moving prisoners too. Anyone arrested in Pickens County ends up at the jail in Carrollton. It does not matter if sheriff's deputies, state troopers, or local police made the arrest.
Pickens County is small and mostly rural. It sits in west Alabama near the Mississippi state line. The sheriff's office covers about 890 square miles. The population is spread out. Many people have to drive a fair bit to get to the courthouse or jail in Carrollton. Unlike bigger counties, the sheriff's office does not have a strong online system. Most requests for records are done by phone or in person.
| Address | Pickens County Courthouse Carrollton, AL 35447 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 367-2241 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Contacting the Sheriff's Office
The best way to get jail or arrest info in Pickens County is to call the sheriff's office. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can also share the charges and bond amount. For non-emergencies, call (205) 367-2241 during business hours. The jail has staff on duty all day and night. But they may be limited in what they can share outside normal hours.
Pickens County Jail
The Pickens County Jail is a small place. It holds people who have been arrested and are waiting for trial. It also holds those with sentences of less than one year. The sheriff's office runs the jail. It is near the courthouse in Carrollton. Like many small county jails in Alabama, there is no website or online inmate lookup tool. You have to call or go in person to get info about someone in custody.
| Jail Location | Carrollton, AL 35447 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 367-2241 |
| Booking | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Finding an Inmate in Pickens County
Since there is no online inmate roster for Pickens County, here are your options for finding someone in custody:
- Call the jail: Phone (205) 367-2241 and ask if a person is in custody. Have the full name ready.
- Visit in person: Go to the jail in Carrollton during business hours to ask about inmates.
- Use VINELink: The statewide VINELink system tracks inmates across Alabama, including Pickens County.
VINELink is free to use. You can search for inmates by name. You can also sign up for alerts when their status changes. This helps if you want to know when someone gets out or moves to a new place. Alerts can come by phone, email, or text.
Bail and Bonding
If someone in Pickens County Jail can get bail, there are a few ways to help them out. The bond amount depends on the charge. A judge sets it or it may follow a standard list.
Cash Bond: Pay the full amount at the jail. The money is held until the case ends. If the person shows up to all court dates, you get the money back. Some fees may be taken out.
Bail Bondsman: A licensed bondsman will post the bond for a fee. This is usually 10-15% of the total. You do not get this fee back. The bondsman makes sure the person shows up in court. Several bondsmen work in the Pickens County area. Many work around the clock.
Property Bond: In some cases, you can put up real estate as collateral. This takes more time. You need court approval and proof that the property is worth more than the bond.
Pickens County Court Records
Criminal cases in Pickens County go through the 24th Judicial Circuit Court. Pickens shares this circuit with Fayette and Lamar counties. The Circuit Court hears felony cases. The District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and first hearings. Once charges are filed, case records become public. You can search them online.
Searching Court Records Online
The Alacourt Public Access system is the easiest way to look up court records in Pickens County. This free state database covers all Alabama counties. Here is how to search:
- Go to pa.alacourt.com
- Select Pickens County from the list
- Pick the case type you want (Criminal, Traffic, etc.)
- Enter a name or case number
- View the results
Alacourt shows case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. You can see if a case is still open. You can also see what plea was made and any sentence. This is useful for checking if someone has a record in Pickens County. It also helps track a case that is still going on. The system updates as new info is added to court files.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Pickens County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records. This office also handles requests for copies. If you need a certified copy for legal use, you must get it here. There is a fee for certified copies.
| Address | Pickens County Courthouse Carrollton, AL 35447 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 367-2020 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
District Court
Pickens County District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and small claims. The court also holds first hearings. These decide if felony cases should go to Circuit Court. District Court records are part of the Alacourt system. You can search them online.
Additional Arrest Record Resources
Alabama VINE
The Alabama VINE program lets you track inmates in Pickens County. You get alerts when their status changes. If you are a victim, you can find out when the person who hurt you gets out. You can also use it just to keep tabs on someone. It is free to sign up. Call 1-877-846-3425 or visit the site.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For a full criminal history that covers all of Alabama, ask ALEA for a background check. This is more thorough than online searches. It pulls from the state's main database of arrests and convictions. You need to send in fingerprints and pay a $25 fee. Results come back in 5-10 business days. Jobs, licenses, and adoptions often need this type of check.
Federal Court Records
Federal crimes in Pickens County go to the Northern District of Alabama. Federal cases are separate from state cases. They have their own court system. You can search federal court records through the PACER system. There is a small fee for most searches. To find federal inmates, use the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
Alabama Department of Corrections
People with sentences over one year go from the county jail to a state prison. The Alabama Department of Corrections runs these prisons. To find someone in state prison, use the ADOC Inmate Search. It shows where the person is housed. It also shows their sentence and when they might get out.
Fees for Pickens County Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Phone Inquiry to Jail | Free |
| Alacourt Case Search | Free |
| VINELink Registration | Free |
| Certified Court Document Copy | $1.00 - $5.00 per page |
| ALEA Criminal History Check | $25.00 |
| PACER Federal Court Search | $0.10 per page (cap applies) |
Most online searches are free. You only pay when you need certified copies or a state background check. The Circuit Clerk's office takes cash and money orders. Call ahead to check payment options if you plan to visit in person.
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
Alabama law gives the public broad access to government records. This includes arrest records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to look at and copy public writings. The only exception is when a specific law says otherwise. Jail booking logs and court files are public writings. You can ask to see these records. You do not need to give a reason.
What Information Is Public
When someone is arrested in Pickens County, some info becomes public. This includes the person's name, date and time of arrest, charges, bond amount, and who made the arrest. Mugshots are usually public too. Once a case goes to court, more becomes public. This means charging papers, hearing records, pleas, verdicts, and sentences.
Records That Are Not Public
Some arrest records are not open to the public. Juvenile records are kept private under Alabama law. You need a court order to see them. Sealed or expunged records are also off limits. Active case files may be held back until an arrest is made. Personal info like Social Security numbers is usually blacked out on public documents.
Expungement in Alabama
If you have an arrest on your record in Pickens County, you may be able to get it expunged. Alabama allows this if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. It also works if you finished a pretrial program. Some non-violent misdemeanors can be expunged after a waiting period. You file a petition with the Circuit Court and pay a fee. The fee is usually around $300. If the court says yes, the arrest record is sealed. It will not show up on most background checks.
Legal Resources in Pickens County
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to those who cannot pay for a lawyer. They cover civil matters. They can help with expungement, knowing your rights, and other issues. They do not handle criminal defense. But they can point you to other resources.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
If you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Pickens County, the Alabama State Bar has a referral service. Call (800) 392-5660 to get connected with local attorneys. There is a small fee for the first talk.
Public Defender
People who cannot pay for a lawyer may get a public defender. At your first court date, tell the judge you cannot afford one. The court will look at your income. If you meet the rules, a public defender is assigned to your case. There is no cost to you.
West Alabama Legal Aid
West Alabama residents can also reach out to local legal aid groups. This includes people in Pickens County. These groups help low-income folks work through the legal system. They can explain your options when dealing with arrest records or charges.
Search Pickens County Records
Use the search tool below to find arrest records and other public records in Pickens County and across Alabama.
Cities in Pickens County
Pickens County has several small towns. None have a population over 100,000. So there are no city pages on this site for them. The county seat is Carrollton. That is where you will find the courthouse and jail. Other towns include Reform, Gordo, Aliceville, and Pickensville.
Arrests made by town police in Pickens County are processed at the county jail in Carrollton. All criminal cases go through the 24th Circuit Court. It does not matter if the arrest was in Reform, Gordo, or anywhere else in the county. If you need arrest records for someone in one of these towns, try the sheriff's office or the Alacourt system.
Nearby Counties
Pickens County borders several other Alabama counties. Each one has its own sheriff's office and court system. If you need to search arrest records in a nearby county, use these links.