Walker County Arrest Records
Walker County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. They run the county jail in Jasper. The jail can hold up to 250 inmates at a time. Unlike some larger counties in Alabama, Walker County does not have an online inmate search portal. You will need to call the jail or visit in person to get info about someone in custody. The 14th Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal cases after charges are filed. Those court records can be searched through the statewide Alacourt system.
Walker County Quick Facts
Walker County Sheriff's Office
The Walker County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They run the detention center in Jasper. Sheriff Nick Smith leads the department. It handles patrol, investigations, court security, and jail work. The sheriff's office serves the unincorporated parts of Walker County. They also help municipal police when needed. All arrests made in the county go through the Walker County Jail. This is true whether the arrest was made by sheriff's deputies or city police.
| Address | 2001 2nd Avenue Jasper, AL 35501 |
|---|---|
| Non-Emergency Phone | (205) 302-6464 |
| Website | walkercountysheriff.com |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (administrative) |
| Sheriff | Nick Smith |
Walker County Jail
The Walker County Jail is at the same address as the sheriff's office. It can hold up to 250 inmates. The jail houses people waiting for trial. It also holds those serving short sentences. Justin White serves as the Jail Administrator. The jail runs around the clock for booking and release. There is no online inmate lookup. You must call the jail to ask about someone in custody.
| Jail Address | 2001 2nd Avenue Jasper, AL 35501 |
|---|---|
| Jail Phone | (205) 384-4874 |
| Jail Administrator | Justin White |
| Booking Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Finding an Inmate
Walker County does not have an online inmate roster or search tool. This is common in smaller Alabama counties. They often lack the resources for a web-based system. To find out if someone is in custody at the Walker County Jail, you have a few options:
- Call the jail: Dial (205) 384-4874 during business hours to ask if a person is currently in custody.
- Visit in person: Go to the jail at 2001 2nd Avenue in Jasper during office hours.
- Use VINELink: Check the VINELink system, which tracks inmates across Alabama.
When you call, have the full name of the person you are looking for. Staff can tell you if that person is in the jail. They can share their charges and bond amount. They may not give out detailed info over the phone in all cases. If the person was just arrested, it may take a few hours for them to show up in the system. This happens after booking is done.
Bonding and Release Process
If someone is held on a bailable offense in Walker County, you can post bond to get them out. A judge sets the bond amount. Or it follows a standard bond schedule based on the charge. There are a few ways to post bond:
Cash Bond
You can pay the full bond amount in cash at the jail. Once the case is done, the bond money is returned. Court fees will be taken out first. Cash bonds are accepted at the jail during normal business hours.
Property Bond
Real property can sometimes be used as collateral for a bond. This needs court approval. You must show paperwork proving the property value is more than the bond amount.
Bail Bondsman
Most people use a licensed bail bondsman to post bond. The bondsman charges a fee you do not get back. It is usually 10-15% of the bond amount. They then post the full bond with the court. They take on the job of making sure the defendant shows up at all court dates. Several bail bond companies work in the Jasper area. They are open around the clock.
Circuit Clerk Fee
When bonding someone out through the Circuit Clerk's office, you need a $35 money order. This is a processing fee. It is on top of the bond amount or bondsman fee. Bring the exact amount as a money order. Personal checks may not be accepted.
Walker County Court Records
After an arrest, criminal charges are filed through the 14th Judicial Circuit Court. Walker County shares this circuit with Winston County. The Circuit Court handles felony cases. The District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings. All court records become public once a case is filed. You can search them online through the state system.
Alacourt Public Access
The Alacourt Public Access portal is the main way to search court records in Walker County. This free state system covers all Alabama counties. Here is how to search:
- Go to pa.alacourt.com
- Select Walker County from the dropdown menu
- Choose the case type (Criminal, Traffic, etc.)
- Enter the person's name or case number
- Review the results for case details
Alacourt shows case numbers, charges filed, hearing dates, and case status. You can see if a case is pending. You can also see the outcome and any sentencing info. The system is free to use. You do not need to register.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Walker County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all court records. They also handle requests for copies. If you need certified copies of court documents for legal purposes, you must ask this office for them.
| Address | Walker County Courthouse 1801 3rd Avenue Jasper, AL 35501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 384-7268 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
District Court
Walker County District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings for felonies. The court is in the same courthouse complex. You can search case records through Alacourt. Just select District Court as the case type.
Additional Arrest Record Resources
Alabama VINE
The Alabama VINE system lets you track inmates in Walker County. You get alerts when their status changes. This is useful if you need to know when someone is released or moved. You can sign up for phone, email, or text alerts. The service is free. It is open 24/7. Call 1-877-846-3425 or visit the website to register.
Jasper Police Department
The Jasper Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Jasper. Arrests made by Jasper PD are booked at the Walker County Jail. For police reports or investigation records, contact the Jasper Police. Their records are separate from the sheriff's office.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
For a full criminal history check that covers all of Alabama, you can request a background report from ALEA. You need to submit fingerprints and pay a $25 fee. The report shows arrests and convictions from all Alabama counties. Not just Walker County. ALEA background checks are often needed for jobs, licensing, or adoption.
Federal Court Records
Federal criminal cases in Walker County fall under the Northern District of Alabama. Federal arrests and prosecutions are handled apart from state cases. You can search federal court records through the PACER system. To find federal inmates, use the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
State Prison Inmates
If someone has been sent to state prison after a conviction in Walker County, they will be moved to an Alabama Department of Corrections facility. Use the ADOC Inmate Search to find people serving state prison sentences. This database shows where they are now. It also shows sentence length and when they might get out.
Fees for Walker County Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Phone Inquiry (Jail) | Free |
| Alacourt Case Search | Free |
| VINELink Registration | Free |
| Circuit Clerk Bond Processing | $35.00 (money order) |
| 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, citizens have the right to look at and copy public records in Alabama. This includes arrest records, booking logs, and court documents. The jailer's logbook has booking information in it. It is listed as a public record. There are some exceptions for sensitive info. But the general rule is that arrest records are open to the public.
What Information Is Public
The following arrest info is generally public in Walker County: the name of the person arrested, date and time of arrest, charges at booking, bond amount, and the arresting agency. Mugshot photos are usually public too. Once a case goes to court, more info becomes part of the public record. This includes charges filed, hearing dates, plea entered, verdict, and sentence.
Records Not Available to the Public
Some records are restricted under Alabama law. Juvenile arrest records are kept private. Sealed and expunged records are not available. Active investigation details and warrants not yet served may be held back. Some personal info like Social Security numbers may be blacked out from documents given to the public.
Expungement in Alabama
Alabama allows expungement of certain arrest records. You may qualify if charges were dismissed. You may also qualify if you were found not guilty. Or if you finished a pretrial diversion program. Some non-violent misdemeanor convictions can also be expunged after a waiting period. File an expungement petition with the Walker County Circuit Court. The filing fee is usually around $500. It may be waived if you cannot afford it. If the petition is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view.
Legal Resources in Walker County
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income residents. They can help you understand charges. They also help with expungement petitions and other legal matters. They do not handle criminal defense. But they can give guidance and referrals.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
If you need to hire an attorney for a criminal case or expungement, the Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call (800) 392-5660. They will connect you with attorneys who practice in Walker County.
Public Defender
If you cannot afford an attorney and are facing criminal charges, you may qualify for a public defender. Ask for one at your first court appearance. The court will decide if you meet the income requirements.
Search Walker County Records
Use the search tool below to find arrest records and other public records in Walker County and across Alabama.
Cities in Walker County
Walker County has several cities and towns. Jasper is the county seat. It is also the largest city. No cities in Walker County have a population over 100,000. So there are no dedicated city pages. Arrests made by local police departments are booked at the Walker County Jail.
Major communities in Walker County include Jasper, Carbon Hill, Cordova, Dora, Sumiton, Oakman, and Parrish. Each has its own local government. But all criminal cases go through the Walker County court system. If someone is arrested in any of these cities, they will be held at the Walker County Jail. They stay there until they post bail or go to trial.
Nearby Counties
Need to search arrest records in nearby counties? Pick one below. Each county has its own sheriff's office and jail system.