Auburn Police Records
Police records in Auburn are kept by the Auburn Police Department, which serves this Lee County college town. The Records Section handles requests for incident reports, arrest information, and crash reports. Auburn is home to Auburn University, and the police department deals with both city residents and the large student population. Getting records here is straightforward. The fees are low compared to other Alabama cities. This guide walks you through the process step by step, including contact details, costs, and what to expect when you file a request.
Auburn at a Glance
Lee County Handles Auburn Criminal Cases
Auburn is located in Lee County, Alabama. All criminal cases from the city get processed through the Lee County court system.
The Lee County Circuit Court handles felony cases. The courthouse sits in Opelika, the county seat. That is about 10 miles from downtown Auburn. Misdemeanors go through the Auburn Municipal Court, which operates locally.
When someone gets arrested by Auburn police, they may be taken to the Lee County Jail in Opelika. The jail address is 1900 Frederick Road. The sheriff runs the jail and keeps booking records there. You can check the Lee County Sheriff website for current inmate information.
For court records as opposed to police records, you contact the Lee County Circuit Clerk. They maintain files on criminal prosecutions after cases leave the police department. Police records and court records are two different things, kept by two different offices.
The Lee County District Attorney prosecutes crimes. Their office works with Auburn police on serious cases. But the DA does not handle record requests. Those still go through the police department or the Circuit Clerk.
Auburn Police Department Contact Information
The Auburn Police Department runs the Records Section where you submit requests. Here is how to reach them.
Records Section Address:
Auburn Police Department
141 N. Ross Street
Auburn, AL 36830
Non-Emergency Phone: (334) 501-3100
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Records Section is inside the police headquarters building. Walk in during business hours to make a request. Staff can help you fill out forms if needed.
City Hall Contact:
144 Tichenor Avenue, Suite 1
Auburn, AL 36830
For public records requests that cover more than police records, the City Clerk handles those. But for police reports specifically, go straight to the Police Department.
How to Request Police Records in Auburn
Auburn offers a few ways to get police records. The process is not complicated.
In Person Requests
Go to the Records Section at 141 N. Ross Street. Bring your ID. Tell them what report you need. Provide the date of the incident, location, and names involved. They will look it up and make copies.
This is the fastest way for simple requests. If the report is on file, you can get it the same day.
Written Requests
You can send a written request to the Records Division. Include your full name and contact information. Describe the record you want with as much detail as possible. Date, location, case number if you have it, and names of people involved all help.
Mail your request to:
Auburn Police Department
Records Division
141 N. Ross Street
Auburn, AL 36830
Public Records Request Form
Auburn has a Public Records Request form available online. You can download it from the city website at auburnal.gov. Fill it out and submit it to start the process.
The form asks for your information, what records you want, and how you want to receive them. You can pick up copies in person or have them mailed.
Note: Auburn does not have a full online portal where you submit and pay electronically. You still need to mail or bring in your request. Some cities have moved to online systems, but Auburn keeps it traditional.
Auburn Police Records Fees
Auburn has one of the lowest fee structures in Alabama. Basic copies are cheap.
Fee Schedule:
- Copies: $0.25 per page
- Time-intensive requests: $20 per hour (starting from second hour)
The per-page fee is straightforward. A 5-page report costs $1.25. A 20-page report costs $5. Most incident reports run 3 to 10 pages.
The hourly fee only kicks in for big requests. If your request takes staff more than one hour to process, they charge $20 for each hour after the first. Simple requests never hit this fee. It exists for people asking for large volumes of records or complex searches.
Payment can be made in person. Cash and checks are typically accepted. Ask about credit cards when you call or visit.
Crash reports may also be available through ALEA online for $17. But the local fee at Auburn is likely cheaper for most reports at $0.25 per page. A typical crash report might run 10 pages, so $2.50 locally versus $17 online.
Alabama Public Records Law
Your right to get police records comes from Alabama law. The statute is clear on access.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 establishes that every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public records. Police incident reports and arrest records are public records in most situations.
Exceptions exist. Active investigations can be withheld until closed. Juvenile records stay sealed. Personal information like Social Security numbers gets redacted. These exemptions protect privacy without blocking legitimate access.
You must be an Alabama resident to request records. Proof of residency is required. A driver's license works. So does a state ID or voter registration card. This residency rule applies statewide.
Alabama law does not set a specific time limit for agencies to respond. Auburn typically processes requests within a few business days. Complex requests take longer. There is no penalty in state law for slow responses, which is a weakness in the Alabama system.
If your request is denied, you can challenge it. The only appeal is through circuit court. You have two years from the denial to file suit. Most routine requests do not run into problems.
Types of Records Available
The Auburn Police Department keeps several types of records. Here is what you can request.
Incident Reports: These cover crimes, disturbances, and other events police respond to. They document what happened, when, where, and who was involved. Victims can get copies. So can other involved parties in most cases.
Offense Reports: When a crime is committed, an offense report gets created. This has more detail than a basic incident report. It covers evidence, witness statements, and investigative notes.
Arrest Records: If Auburn police arrest someone, there is an arrest record. It shows the charges, booking details, and date. Jail records are at Lee County, not with Auburn PD.
Traffic Crash Reports: Accidents within city limits get documented by Auburn police. The reports include a diagram, driver info, insurance, and fault determination. Insurance companies need these for claims.
What You Cannot Get:
- Records from pending investigations that could be compromised
- Juvenile records without court authorization
- Internal affairs files on officer conduct (restricted)
- Security plans and procedures
If you are unsure whether a record is available, just ask. The Records Section can tell you what they can and cannot release.
How Long Does It Take
Processing time depends on what you need. Simple requests are quick. Complicated ones take a while.
For in-person requests of existing reports, you might get your copies the same day. Walk in, ask for the report, and wait while they print it. Takes 15 to 30 minutes usually.
New reports need processing time after an incident. The officer writes the report. A supervisor reviews it. It gets entered into the system. Budget 3 to 5 business days minimum for new reports.
Serious crimes produce bigger reports that take longer. Assault cases, burglaries, and anything with multiple witnesses require more documentation. The report has to be complete before it can be released.
Mail requests add delivery time both ways. Figure a week to 10 days total for a mail-in request of an existing report.
Time-intensive requests involving research take the longest. If you ask for all reports from a certain date range or matching certain criteria, staff has to search. That can take a week or more depending on volume.
Call the Records Section at (334) 501-3100 to check on status. They can tell you if your report is ready.
Lee County Resources
Some records are kept at the county level, not with Auburn police.
Lee County Circuit Court:
Lee County Justice Center
2311 Gateway Drive
Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 737-3590
Lee County Jail:
1900 Frederick Road
Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 737-7100
Lee County Sheriff:
Main Office: (334) 737-7120
Inmate information and booking records available
The sheriff website has an inmate roster. You can search by name to see who is in the Lee County Jail. This includes anyone arrested by Auburn police if they were held there.
Court records for criminal cases prosecuted in Lee County come from the Circuit Clerk, not the police. Contact them for case files, judgments, and sentencing information.
Auburn University Police
Auburn University has its own police department separate from the City of Auburn Police. This matters for records.
If an incident happened on campus, the Auburn University Police Department has the report. Contact them directly:
Auburn University Police:
543 West Magnolia Avenue
Auburn, AL 36849
Phone: (334) 844-4244
University police handle crimes on campus property. City police handle everything else. Sometimes jurisdiction overlaps and both departments respond. But the report will be with whichever agency took the lead.
If you are not sure which department has your records, call the city police first. They can direct you to the university if needed.
Legal Help in Auburn
If you need an attorney for a records issue or a criminal matter, resources exist.
Lee County Bar Association:
Can provide lawyer referrals for the Auburn-Opelika area
Legal Services Alabama:
Free civil legal help for qualifying residents
Phone: 1-866-456-4995
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral:
Website: alabar.org
Statewide referral service
Attorneys can help if you have trouble getting records released. They also handle expungement cases if you want records sealed or cleared.
Police Records in Nearby Cities
Auburn is in east-central Alabama. Other major cities are within driving distance.
Each city has its own police department and records process. Fees and procedures vary. Check the specific city page for details.
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