Search Winston County Arrest Records

Winston County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Double Springs. The county is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. It shares this circuit with Walker County.

Winston County Sheriff's Office

The Winston County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. The office handles patrol, criminal cases, civil process, and runs the county jail. Sheriff Ricky Roden leads the team. They serve a mostly rural area with small towns and open land. The sheriff's office is in Double Springs, the county seat.

Winston County has a small population compared to other Alabama counties. This means fewer arrests than bigger counties. But the same steps apply when someone is taken in. All bookings go through the Winston County Jail. It does not matter which agency made the arrest. City police, state troopers, and deputies all bring people to the same place.

How to Check if Someone Is in Custody

Winston County does not have an online inmate search tool. This is common for smaller counties in Alabama. They often lack the budget for web-based systems. To find out if someone is held at the jail, you have a few options. The most direct way is to call the sheriff's office at (205) 489-2115 during work hours. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can also give you basic booking info.

You can also visit the jail in person. It is at the courthouse complex in Double Springs. The jail staff can check if someone is there. They can tell you about bail or bond status too. Keep in mind that if an arrest just happened, it may take a few hours for the person to show up in the system. Be patient. Try calling again later if you do not get the answer you need right away.

Winston County Jail

The Winston County Jail is a smaller facility in Double Springs. It holds people waiting for court hearings. It also holds those serving short sentences for minor crimes. The jail runs around the clock for booking and release. Admin hours are more limited. But an arrest at 2 AM still gets processed right away.

The jail has limited space. This fits the county's smaller population. When the jail fills up, some inmates may be moved to nearby county jails. This is rare but does happen. It can occur during busy times or when someone needs special housing for safety reasons.

What Happens During Booking

When someone is arrested in Winston County, they are brought to the jail for booking. The process starts with getting personal info. This includes name, date of birth, and address. Staff will take fingerprints and a mugshot photo. The arresting officer gives the charges. These are put into the system. Any personal items are logged and stored until release.

After the paperwork is done, the jail checks if the person can post bail. Some charges have a preset bond amount. This comes from a set schedule. More serious charges may need a judge before bail is set. First court dates typically happen within 48 hours of arrest. This applies if you cannot make bail right away. At the hearing, the judge explains the charges and sets bond terms.

Bail and Bond Information

If someone you know is arrested in Winston County, you may be able to post bond. This gets them out while their case is pending. Bond is a promise backed by money. It says the person will show up for all court dates. There are a few ways to post bond in Winston County.

Cash Bond

You can pay the full bond amount in cash at the jail. The court holds this money. It comes back at the end of the case, minus any fees or fines. Cash bonds work well for lower amounts. But few people can pay thousands of dollars upfront for more serious charges. The jail takes cash bonds during regular work hours.

Surety Bond (Bail Bondsman)

Most people use a bail bondsman to post bond. The bondsman charges a fee you do not get back. This is usually 10% to 15% of the total bond. So if bond is set at $5,000, you might pay $500 to $750. The bondsman then posts the full amount with the court. They make sure the defendant shows up at all hearings. Several bail bond companies serve Winston County. They are open around the clock.

Property Bond

In some cases, you can use real property as collateral for a bond. This needs court approval. You must prove the property is worth more than the bond amount. Property bonds take longer and need more paperwork. You will need a deed. You may also need an appraisal. This option is less common. It works for those who own property free and clear.

Release on Own Recognizance

For minor offenses, a judge may release someone on their own recognizance. This means they do not have to pay any bond. The judge looks at factors like ties to the community. No prior record helps. The nature of the charges matters too. The defendant just signs a promise to appear at all court dates. Failing to show up can result in arrest. You may not get a bond option next time.

Winston County Court Records

After an arrest, the case moves to the court system. Winston County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. Walker County is also in this circuit. The Circuit Court handles felonies and serious misdemeanors. The District Court deals with minor misdemeanors and traffic tickets. It also holds first hearings for felonies. All court records become public once charges are filed.

Alacourt Public Access

The best way to search court records in Winston County is through Alacourt Public Access. This free state system covers all Alabama counties. To look up a case, go to the site. Select Winston County from the dropdown menu. Pick the case type, like Criminal or Traffic. Enter the person's name. You can also search by case number if you have it.

Alacourt shows case numbers, charges filed, hearing dates, and case status. You can see if a case is still open or closed. It shows the outcome and any sentencing info. The system updates often. Recent filings should appear within a few days. This is often faster than calling the clerk's office and waiting on hold.

Circuit Court Clerk

The Winston County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all official court records. If you need certified copies for legal purposes, you must ask this office. Certified copies are needed for many official uses. For example, proving a case was dropped or showing a conviction for a background check.

District Court

Winston County District Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic tickets. It also holds first hearings for felonies. If someone is arrested for a minor offense, their whole case may stay in district court. Felony cases start here with a first hearing. Then they move to circuit court for trial. District court records are also on Alacourt. Just pick the right case type.

Alabama VINE - Inmate Tracking

Since Winston County does not have an online inmate roster, you can use the VINELink system to track inmates. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free service. It covers jails and prisons across Alabama. You can search for an offender by name. You will see their custody status.

One of the best features of VINE is the alert system. You can sign up to get told when an inmate's status changes. If the person is released, moved, or escapes, you get a phone call, text, or email right away. This is useful for crime victims. They want to know when someone is out. It also helps family members waiting for a release.

To use VINE for Winston County, go to vinelink.com. You can also call the toll-free number at 1-877-846-3425. Search by name or offender ID. If the person is in the Winston County Jail, their record will show up. The service runs 24/7. You can check at any time.

Additional Arrest Record Resources

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)

For a full criminal history check that covers all of Alabama, you can ask for a report from ALEA. This shows arrests and convictions from every county in the state. Not just Winston County. The fee is $25 for a name-based check. Fingerprint-based checks cost more. They are needed for some jobs and licenses. ALEA background checks usually take 5 to 10 business days.

State Prison Inmates

If someone was convicted of a felony in Winston County and got more than two years in prison, they go 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 now, how long their sentence is, and when they might get out.

Federal Court Records

Federal crimes in Winston County fall under the Northern District of Alabama. Federal cases are totally separate from state court records. To search federal cases, use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Federal inmates can be found through the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Local Police Departments

Several small towns in Winston County have their own police. These include Double Springs, Haleyville, Addison, and others. Arrests made by city police are booked at the Winston County Jail. But police reports and case files stay with the arresting agency. If you need a police report from a specific event, contact that department directly.

Fees for Winston County Arrest Records

Processing Times

Alabama Law on Arrest Records

Public Records Access

Alabama law gives people the right to access public records. This includes arrest records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy public writings held by the state. Arrest records fall into this group. The jailer's logbook has booking info. It is named as a public record in Alabama law. This means you have the legal right to ask about who has been booked into the Winston County Jail.

What Information Is Public

The following info about an arrest is generally open to the public in Winston County. This includes the person's name, date of birth, date and time of arrest, charges at booking, bond amount if set, and the arresting agency. Mugshot photos are public records in Alabama. Once a case is filed in court, more info becomes public. This includes the exact charges, court dates, plea, verdict, and sentence.

Records That Are Not Public

Some records are off limits under Alabama law. Juvenile arrest records are private and sealed from public view. Records that have been expunged are also not open. Law enforcement can still see them for limited uses. Active case details and warrants not yet served may be held back. Personal info like Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers are usually removed from public documents.

Expungement in Alabama

Alabama allows some arrest records to be expunged. This means sealed from public view. You may qualify if charges were dropped, you were found not guilty, or you finished a pretrial diversion program. Some non-violent misdemeanors can also be expunged after a waiting period. To start, file a petition with the Winston County Circuit Court. The filing fee is around $500. It can be waived if you cannot afford it. If the judge grants the petition, the arrest record is taken out of public databases. Law enforcement can still see it for official purposes. But employers and the general public cannot.

Legal Resources

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income residents. They handle civil matters. They can also help with some criminal record issues like expungement petitions. They do not defend criminal cases. But they can answer questions and make referrals. Call their intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for help.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

If you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer or want help with record expungement, the Alabama State Bar has a referral service. Call (800) 392-5660 to get connected with attorneys who work in Winston County. The first meeting fee is usually low. You can discuss your case before you decide to hire anyone.

Public Defender

If you are arrested and cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender. Tell the judge at your first hearing that you need a lawyer and cannot pay for one. The court will ask about your income and assets. If you meet the requirements, a public defender will be assigned to your case at no cost. The public defender handles all parts of your criminal case from start to end.

Search Winston County Records

Use the search form below to look up arrest records and public records in Winston County and throughout Alabama.

Cities in Winston County

Winston County has several small towns. Double Springs is the county seat. Other towns include Haleyville, Addison, Lynn, and Arley. None of these cities have more than 100,000 people. So there are no city pages for Winston County. All arrests made by local police go through the Winston County Jail in Double Springs.

Haleyville is the largest city in the county. It has around 4,000 people. It has its own police department that handles law enforcement in the city. If you need a police report from Haleyville PD, contact them directly. The other towns have smaller police forces. Some rely on the sheriff's office. No matter which agency makes an arrest, booking happens at the county jail.

Nearby Counties

If you need to search arrest records in nearby counties, click one of the links below. Each county has its own sheriff's office and jail.