Find Arrest Records in Shelby County
Shelby County arrest records are kept by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The office runs a nationally accredited jail on McDow Road in Columbiana. This jail can hold more than 500 inmates. It houses people from the city, county, state, and federal levels. Sheriff John Samaniego runs all law enforcement for areas outside city limits. The Sheriff's Office has an online inmate listing. You can search for current inmates by name, date of birth, or case number. The list updates often as new bookings come in and people get released.
Shelby County Quick Facts
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for areas outside city limits. The office handles patrol, criminal cases, civil process, and runs the county jail. All arrest records and booking info for people who go through the jail are kept here. The Sheriff's Office has earned national accreditation. This shows their focus on high standards in both jail services and law enforcement.
| Main Office Address | 380 McDow Road Columbiana, AL 35051 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | John Samaniego |
| Sheriff's Office Phone | (205) 669-4181 |
| Booking/Jail Phone | (205) 669-3938 |
| Website | www.shelbyso.com |
County Detention Facility
The Shelby County Jail sits at the same address as the Sheriff's Office on McDow Road. This jail can hold more than 500 inmates at a time. It holds people picked up by county deputies, city police from towns in the county, and those waiting to go to state or federal custody. Staff work around the clock. The jail meets all the standards needed for national accreditation. Inmates have access to visits, phone calls, and commissary.
| Jail Address | 380 McDow Road Columbiana, AL 35051 |
|---|---|
| Facility Type | Nationally Accredited Detention Center |
| Capacity | Over 500 detainees |
| Inmates Housed | Municipal, County, State, and Federal |
Online Inmate Search
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office has a free online inmate listing. This tool lets you look up people held at the county jail. You don't need to call or go there in person.
How to Search for Inmates
To find someone in the Shelby County Jail, go to inmatelisting.shelbyal.com. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number. The site shows booking info for people in custody now. Results show the inmate's name, booking date, charges, and bond amount if one has been set. The system updates through the day. New arrests show up as they happen. Released inmates drop off the list.
If you search for someone and they don't show up, a few things could be going on. They may have been let go or bonded out. They might have moved to another facility like a state prison. Or the arrest may have been in a different county. For info on people no longer in custody, call the Sheriff's Office or check court records on Alacourt.
Information Available Online
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Date of birth
- Booking date and time
- Current charges
- Bond amount (when applicable)
- Case number
- Holding agency
How to Request Arrest Records
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office takes requests for arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement files. How you get them depends on what you need. It also depends on how fast you need it.
In-Person Requests
You can go to the Sheriff's Office at 380 McDow Road in Columbiana during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Be ready to give details about the person or event. Simple requests like recent booking info can often be done while you wait. Bigger searches or copies of old records may take more time.
Written Requests
For records not online or for certified copies, send a written request to the Sheriff's Office. Include the person's full name. Add date of birth if you know it. Include the rough date of the arrest or event. Put in your contact info too. Mail it to the address above with payment for any fees. Allow 5 to 10 business days. Older or complex records may take longer.
Phone Inquiries
For quick questions about current inmates or recent bookings, call the jail at (205) 669-3938. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can give basic booking info. Bigger requests usually need to be in writing. Call the Sheriff's main line at (205) 669-4181 for help with other types of records.
What Records Can Be Obtained
The Sheriff's Office can give you copies of arrest reports, booking records, incident reports, and related files for cases handled by county deputies. Records from city police in Shelby County (like Hoover Police or Alabaster Police) may need to come from those agencies. This is true even if the person was booked into the county jail. Some info is off limits under Alabama law. This includes juvenile records, sealed files, and details on open cases.
Shelby County Circuit Court
Shelby County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Once charges are filed, the case moves from the Sheriff's Office to the courts. Circuit Court handles felonies. District Court deals with misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all court records. This includes case files, dockets, and final judgments.
| Court | 18th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 112 N. Main Street Columbiana, AL 35051 |
| Phone | (205) 669-3710 |
Alacourt Access
The Alacourt system lets you search Shelby County court records online. Go to pa.alacourt.com and pick Shelby County. Then choose the case type you want. You can look up criminal cases by name or case number. Results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and outcomes. This is a free service for all Alabama counties. Note that court records only show up after charges are filed. Very recent arrests may not be there yet.
District Court
Misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings for felonies go through Shelby County District Court. You can find these records on Alacourt or by calling the District Clerk. Looking for a DUI, minor drug charge, or similar offense? The District Court is likely where that case was handled.
Additional Resources for Arrest Records
Alabama VINE System
Alabama VINE lets you track inmate custody status in Shelby County and statewide. Sign up to get alerts by phone, email, or text when an inmate's status changes. You'll know about releases, transfers, or escapes. VINE is free and runs around the clock. Visit victims.alabama.gov or call 1-877-846-3425 to sign up or search for someone.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For a full criminal history check that covers Shelby County and all other Alabama counties, you can ask ALEA for a report. ALEA is the state's main hub for criminal justice info. You'll need to get fingerprinted and pay a fee. These background checks are often needed for jobs, licenses, and other official uses. Call ALEA at (334) 517-2500 or go to their office in Montgomery.
Alabama Department of Corrections
If someone has been convicted and sent to state prison, they won't be in the Shelby County Jail anymore. The Alabama Department of Corrections keeps info on state inmates. Use their online search at doc.alabama.gov. It shows where they are now, how long their sentence is, and when they might get out.
Federal Records
Federal crimes in Shelby County go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. You can search federal court records through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. Federal inmates are held in Bureau of Prisons facilities. Use the BOP inmate locator to find them.
Fees for Arrest Record Requests
Shelby County charges fees for copies of arrest records and related files. These fees cover the cost of finding, pulling, and copying the records.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online Inmate Search | Free |
| Arrest Report Copy | $5.00 - $25.00 (varies by report length) |
| Incident Report | $5.00 per report |
| Additional Pages | $0.25 - $0.50 per page |
| Certification Fee | $5.00 per document |
| ALEA Background Check | $25.00 |
You can usually pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Some requests may take credit cards too. Call the Sheriff's Office to check current fees and how you can pay before you send your request. Fees can change.
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
Arrest record access in Shelby County follows Alabama state law. Knowing the rules helps you understand what info you can get. It also shows what limits are in place.
Public Records Law
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy any public record. Arrest records are usually public in Alabama. This includes booking info, charges, mugshots, and case outcomes. But some info is off limits. This includes juvenile records, sealed court files, and details that could hurt open cases.
What Information Is Public
In Shelby County, the public can usually get this arrest info: booking records with name, date, and charges; mugshots; arrest reports (after the warrant has been served); bond and bail info; court records and case outcomes; and conviction history. Some personal details like Social Security numbers and home addresses are not given out.
Expungement
Alabama law lets you expunge some arrest records under Alabama Code Title 15, Chapter 27. You may qualify if charges were dropped or never filed. You may also qualify if you were found not guilty. Finishing a diversion program counts too. Some non-violent offenses can be expunged after a waiting period. To ask for expungement, file in the circuit court where your case was heard. The filing fee is $500. Fee waivers are available if you can show financial hardship. If approved, the records get sealed from public view.
Juvenile Records
Arrest records for people under 18 at the time of the alleged offense are private under Alabama law. The public cannot get these records. You usually need a court order to see them. Access may also be given to close family and certain approved parties.
Cities in Shelby County
Shelby County sits just south of Birmingham. It has several growing suburban areas. Arrests by city police usually go through the Shelby County Jail. You can get records from the Sheriff's Office or from the city police that made the arrest.
Major cities here include Hoover (partly in Jefferson County), Alabaster, and Helena. These cities have their own police. They handle law enforcement within city limits. But booking and jail stays are done at the county level. Call the city police for incident reports from their arrests. Call the Sheriff's Office for booking and custody info.
Other towns in Shelby County include Pelham, Chelsea, Calera, Montevallo, Vincent, Columbiana (the county seat), and Harpersville. Each has different levels of police services. Some rely more on the Sheriff's Office for patrol and calls.
Nearby Counties
Can't find the arrest records you need in Shelby County? The arrest may have been in a nearby county. Each Alabama county keeps its own arrest records through its Sheriff's Office.