Search Alabama Mugshots
Alabama mugshots and arrest records are public documents kept by each of the 67 county sheriff offices across the state. When someone gets booked into a county jail in Alabama, the sheriff takes a booking photo and logs the arrest details. Many county jails in Alabama post their jail rosters online with mugshots. You can search these records for free on most sheriff websites. The Alabama Department of Corrections also has an inmate search tool for state prison inmates. This guide shows you how to find mugshots and arrest records in Alabama.
Alabama Mugshots Quick Facts
Where to Find Alabama Mugshots
Alabama has no central mugshot database. Each county keeps its own jail records. The sheriff in each county runs the county jail and takes booking photos. Most sheriffs post these online.
County sheriff websites are the main source. Many use a system called JailTracker. This shows current inmates with photos, charges, and bond amounts. Some large counties have custom search tools. Jefferson County uses a NewWorld system. Mobile County has a "Who's in Jail" page.
The Alabama Department of Corrections runs the state prison system. Their inmate search shows people currently in state prison. It does not show county jail inmates. You can search by name or AIS number. The results show current location and sentence info.
Note: County jails and state prisons are different. Jails hold people before trial or with short sentences. Prisons hold people after conviction with longer sentences.
How to Search Mugshots in Alabama
There are several ways to find mugshots in Alabama. The best method depends on what you need.
Start with the county jail roster. Find out which county the arrest happened in. Go to that sheriff's website and look for "Jail Roster" or "Inmate Search" links. You can usually search by name or browse recent bookings. This is free and shows current inmates.
To search Alabama mugshots online, you need to provide the following:
- First and last name of the person
- County where the arrest took place
- Approximate date of arrest if known
For a full criminal history, contact ALEA. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps statewide criminal records. You need to submit fingerprints and pay a fee. This takes 2 to 4 weeks. The report shows arrests and convictions across Alabama.
Alacourt Access has court records. This shows case info, charges, and outcomes. It costs $9.99 per search. This is good for finding what happened after an arrest. It does not show mugshots but shows court case details.
What Alabama Arrest Records Contain
Jail rosters in Alabama show details about each inmate. The info varies by county but usually includes similar fields.
Alabama mugshot records typically contain the following:
- Full name of the person arrested
- Booking photo taken at the jail
- Date and time of arrest
- Charges filed against them
- Bond amount set by the court
- Current status such as in custody or released
Some info is restricted. Home addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers are not public. Juvenile records are also protected. Alabama Code Section 12-15-133 keeps records of people under 18 confidential. You will not find juvenile mugshots on public jail rosters in Alabama.
Arrest records are not conviction records. Someone may be arrested but not found guilty. The mugshot shows that an arrest happened. Check court records to see if there was a conviction in Alabama.
Are Mugshots Public in Alabama
Yes. Mugshots are public records in Alabama. Two state laws make this clear.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 is the Open Records Act. It gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. Mugshots fall under this law. You can request copies from any sheriff office.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires sheriffs to keep a public record book. This book must list every person in the jail. It must show names, ages, charges, and dates. The sheriff must let the public view this book during office hours. This is why most sheriffs post jail rosters online.
There are some limits. Expunged records are not public. Under Alabama Code Section 15-27, some arrest records can be sealed. This happens when charges are dropped or the person is found not guilty. Once expunged, the mugshot should be removed from public view.
Note: Third party websites may still show old mugshots even after expungement. The sheriff must remove them but cannot control other sites.
Alabama County Jails With Online Rosters
Many county jails in Alabama have online inmate search tools. These are free to use. Here are some of the larger counties with online rosters.
Jefferson County is the most populous in Alabama. The sheriff runs a full inmate search at sheriff.jccal.org. You can search by name, booking number, or date range. This jail holds about 1,000 inmates between two facilities.
Mobile County uses a "Who's in Jail" portal. The Metro Jail is maximum security and holds up to 1,500 people. You can search by name and see booking photos, charges, and bond info.
Madison County uses JailTracker. The detention center in Huntsville holds around 1,200 inmates. The roster shows current inmates and recently released people.
Many smaller counties also have online rosters. Blount, Cherokee, Chilton, Colbert, DeKalb, Escambia, Etowah, Morgan, and Pickens all use JailTracker systems. You can search their rosters by going to the sheriff website and clicking the roster link.
How to Get a Criminal Background Check
For a full criminal history in Alabama, you need to go through ALEA. County jail rosters only show current and recent arrests. ALEA has records going back years.
To request your own criminal history, follow these steps:
- Download the ALEA Application to Review Alabama CHRI form
- Get fingerprinted at a law enforcement office
- Prepare a money order for $25 payable to ALEA
- Mail the form, prints, and payment to ALEA in Montgomery
ALEA processes requests in 2 to 4 weeks. The report shows arrests and convictions in Alabama. It does not show sealed, expunged, or juvenile records. For records in other states, you need to contact those states or use the FBI database.
You can also request records online through the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. This is faster for some types of checks. Employers often use this for background screening.
Track Inmates With VINE
VINELink is a free service for tracking inmates in Alabama. It stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. Anyone can use it.
You can register to get alerts when an inmate's status changes. The system sends a phone call, text, or email. This is useful if you want to know when someone gets released from jail in Alabama.
Visit vinelink.com to sign up. You can also call the toll free number at 877-846-3425. The Alabama Attorney General runs this through the Victims Division.
Can You Get a Mugshot Removed
In some cases, yes. Alabama allows expungement of certain arrest records. The court must approve this.
Alabama Code Section 15-27 covers expungement. You may qualify if charges were dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you completed a diversion program. There is a 90 day waiting period after the case ends. All court costs must be paid first.
To get a mugshot removed in Alabama, you file a petition in the court where the case was heard. The judge reviews it and may grant expungement. Once granted, the sheriff must remove the mugshot from public records. ALEA must also remove it from the state database.
Note: Knowing disclosure of expunged records is a Class B misdemeanor in Alabama. After expungement, agencies should not release the mugshot.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find mugshots and arrest records in Alabama. You can search county jail rosters and criminal records databases.
Browse Alabama Mugshots by County
Each county in Alabama has its own sheriff who keeps jail records. Select a county below to find local jail roster links and contact information.
Mugshots in Major Alabama Cities
Residents of large cities in Alabama are booked at county jails. Click below to find mugshot resources for major cities.