Russell County Arrest Records

Russell County arrest records are managed by the Russell County Sheriff's Office. The office runs a jail in Phenix City that holds up to 300 inmates. They have an online inmate search tool that works 24 hours a day. You can look up people by name or inmate ID number.

Russell County Sheriff's Office

The Russell County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas. Sheriff Heath Taylor has led the team since 2011. The office serves warrants, handles civil papers, and keeps the courts safe. They also run all jail operations. The Sheriff's Office works with Phenix City Police and other local cops to keep the area safe along the Alabama-Georgia border.

Online Inmate Search

The Russell County Sheriff's Office runs a free inmate search tool on their website. You can use it at rcso.org/inCustodySearchFeed. The list gets updated often. It shows all people in jail right now. Search by name or inmate ID. Results show the inmate's name, charges, booking date, and bond amount if one is set.

The inmate search works around the clock. Check on someone at any time. But keep in mind the roster only shows people in jail right now. Once someone gets out, they drop off the list. For old booking info, call the Sheriff's Office or look through court records.

Russell County Jail

The Russell County Jail sits next to the Sheriff's Office in Phenix City. It holds up to 300 people at a time. This is where everyone arrested in Russell County gets booked. It does not matter if Sheriff's deputies, Phenix City Police, or other local cops made the arrest. They all come here.

Jail Programs and Services

The Russell County Jail runs a few programs for inmates. Weekly GED classes help people work toward a high school diploma. Family Planning programs help inmates stay close to their families. They also help plan for life after release. AA and NA meetings happen for those with drug or alcohol problems. Bible Studies and other faith-based classes are open too. The goal is to help inmates make better choices. That way fewer of them end up back in jail.

Visitation Information

Visits at the Russell County Jail happen by video. Call the jail to find out the schedule and rules. Inmates can get money put on their commissary accounts. Families add funds through approved vendors. The jail has phone and messaging for inmates to stay in touch with loved ones.

Court Records and Case Information

After an arrest in Russell County, charges go through the 26th Judicial Circuit Court. The Circuit Court takes felony cases. District Court deals with misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and first hearings. Both courts keep records you can search online through the state system.

Alacourt Case Search

The Alacourt Public Access portal gives free access to court records for Russell County and all other Alabama counties. To find criminal cases, go to pa.alacourt.com. Pick Russell County. Choose Criminal as the case type. Then type in the person's name. Results show case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. You can see case details, court dates, and final outcomes for free. This is a good way to check if charges were filed after an arrest. You can also see what happened with the case.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Russell County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records. This includes criminal case files, judgments, and sentencing papers. The office is in the Russell County Courthouse in Phenix City. You can ask for certified copies in person or by mail. The clerk's office also handles expungement petitions. They process record sealing requests for those who qualify.

District Court

Russell County District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and first hearings for felonies. The District Court is in the same courthouse complex. You can search case records on Alacourt. Just pick District Court as the case type. Many minor charges get resolved here. They never go to Circuit Court.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Alabama VINE

The Alabama VINE system lets you track inmates in Russell County. You get alerts when their status changes. This free service sends notices by phone, email, or text. You find out if an inmate is released, moved, or escapes. It is very helpful for crime victims. They can know when the person who hurt them gets out of jail. Call 1-877-846-3425 or visit the website to sign up.

Phenix City Police Department Records

The Phenix City Police Department makes most arrests in the city. People they arrest go to the Russell County Jail. But you can get incident reports and arrest reports from Phenix City PD. The police station is at 1111 Broad Street in Phenix City. Call their Records Division for copies of police reports.

Federal Court Records

Federal criminal cases in Russell County go through the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division. Federal arrests and sentences are separate from state records. Search federal cases through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator to find people serving federal time.

State Prison Inmates

When someone gets a state prison sentence, they move from the Russell County Jail to an Alabama Department of Corrections facility. Use the ADOC Inmate Search to find people serving state prison time. The database shows where they are, their sentence info, and expected release dates. It does not list people still in county jail waiting for trial or doing short time.

Georgia Border Considerations

Russell County sits on the Alabama-Georgia state line. Columbus, Georgia is right across the Chattahoochee River from Phenix City. Looking for someone arrested in Columbus? Check Muscogee County, Georgia jail records instead. Georgia and Alabama have separate systems. An arrest in Georgia will not show up in Russell County records.

Fees for Arrest Records

Processing Times

Legal Framework for Arrest Records

Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy public records in this state. There are some exceptions set by law. Arrest records, booking info, and court records are mostly public in Alabama. The jailer's logbook is a public record. Anyone can ask to see it. It has all the booking details.

What Information Is Public

This arrest info is public in Russell County: inmate name, date of birth, booking date and time, charges at booking, bond amount, court dates, case outcomes, and mugshots. Some details are held back. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and home addresses stay private. This helps stop identity theft and other issues.

Records Not Available to the Public

Juvenile arrest records are private under Alabama law. The public cannot see them. Sealed and expunged records stay hidden too. Active case details and warrants not yet served are kept secret. Mental health records may have limits on who can see them. Some domestic violence protective order details are restricted as well.

Expungement in Russell County

Alabama lets you erase some arrest records under certain rules. You may qualify if charges were dropped. Same goes if you were found not guilty. Finishing a pretrial diversion program counts too. Some non-violent crimes qualify after a waiting period. To start, file an expungement petition with the Russell County Circuit Court. The fee is $500. Courts can waive it if you cannot afford to pay. A hearing may happen where the judge decides. If approved, arrest and court records get sealed from public view.

Legal Resources

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income Russell County residents. They can help with expungement petitions. They explain charges and connect you with other resources. They have an office in the Phenix City area.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

Need to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Russell County? The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call (800) 392-5660. They connect you with attorneys who handle criminal defense and expungement cases. The service helps you find a lawyer in the Phenix City area who knows the local courts.

Russell County Public Defender

Cannot afford a lawyer? If you face criminal charges in Russell County, you may qualify for a public defender. The court appoints one at your first hearing if you meet income rules. Call the Russell County Circuit Court Clerk's office for info on how to request one.

Search Russell County Records

Use the search tool below to look up arrest records and criminal history information for Russell County and across Alabama.

Cities in Russell County

Russell County has several cities and towns. Phenix City is the county seat. It is by far the biggest city here. But Phenix City has under 100,000 people. So arrests by Phenix City Police go to the Russell County Jail. Other towns include Hurtsboro and Seale. All arrests in the county get processed at the Sheriff's Office jail. It does not matter which agency made the arrest.

The Phenix City area is really a suburb of Columbus, Georgia. The two cities share a metro area. Not sure which side of the state line someone was arrested on? You may need to check both Russell County and Muscogee County, Georgia records.

Nearby Counties

If you need to search arrest records in neighboring counties, select a county below to access their sheriff's office and jail information.