Search Decatur Police Records

Police records in Decatur are managed by the Decatur Police Department Records Department. Decatur serves as the county seat of Morgan County and sits along the Tennessee River in north Alabama. The police department handles incident reports, crash reports, background checks, and arrest records for events within city limits. The Records Department operates out of the basement of City Hall. All reports cost $5 each, which is a simple flat fee. This guide explains how to request records, where to go, and what information you need to bring.

Morgan County Handles Decatur Cases

Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County. This means the county courthouse sits right in the city. Criminal cases from Decatur go through the Morgan County court system.

The Morgan County Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions. The courthouse is downtown at 302 Lee Street NE. Since Decatur is the county seat, you do not have to travel far for court matters.

Misdemeanor cases often go through Decatur Municipal Court for local violations. More serious charges move to the county level.

The Morgan County Jail holds people arrested in Decatur. The sheriff operates the jail and keeps booking records. You can find inmate information through the sheriff's office.

Being the county seat gives Decatur some advantages. Courts, jail, and county offices are all nearby. You can handle police records and court records without driving to another city.

Court records are different from police records. The Circuit Clerk maintains case files after charges are filed. Police records stay with the Decatur Police Department. They are two separate offices with different records.

Decatur Police Department Contact Information

The Decatur Police Department operates a Records Department for public requests. Here is their contact information.

Records Department Address:
Decatur Police Department
Records Department
402 Lee Street NE (basement of City Hall)
Decatur, AL 35601

Records Phone: (256) 341-4618

Records Supervisor: Sgt. Brent Best - (256) 341-4606

Office Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The Records Department is in the basement of City Hall. Enter the building and follow signs to the basement level. Staff there handle all records requests.

How to Request Police Records in Decatur

Getting records from Decatur Police is straightforward. Here are your options.

In Person Requests

Go to the Records Department at 402 Lee Street NE. The office is in the basement of City Hall. Bring your ID and information about the incident you need records for.

Tell the staff what report you need. Give them the date, location, and names involved. They will look it up and make copies if available. You pay the $5 fee and leave with your report.

In person is the fastest way. If the report exists and is ready, you can get it same day.

By Phone

Call the Records Department at (256) 341-4618. They can tell you if a report exists and what it will cost. You can arrange pickup or mailing.

Phone calls help you confirm what is available before making a trip. Staff can answer questions about the process too.

What You Need

To request records, provide these details:

• Date of the incident
• Location where it happened
• Names of people involved
• Case number if you have it
• Your contact information

The more information you give, the faster staff can find your record. Vague requests take longer to process.

Decatur Police Records Fees

Decatur uses a simple flat fee structure. All reports cost the same amount.

Fee Schedule:

• Incident/offense reports: $5.00 per copy
• Crash reports: $5.00 per copy
• Background checks: $5.00

Every report costs $5. It does not matter how long it is. A short incident report costs $5. A long crash report costs $5. This makes costs predictable.

Payment options include cash at the Records Department. Ask about checks and credit cards when you call or visit.

Crash reports can also be ordered through ALEA online for $17. The local fee of $5 is much cheaper if you can get the report from Decatur directly. The ALEA option is for convenience or if the local department does not have what you need.

Background checks at $5 cover local records only. For statewide criminal history, you need to go through ALEA, which costs more.

Police Jurisdiction in Decatur

Understanding jurisdiction helps you know who has your records. Different agencies handle different areas.

The Decatur Police Department investigates accidents and incidents within city limits. Any crash on a city street or crime in the city goes to Decatur PD.

State Troopers handle accidents on public roads within police jurisdiction areas that involve state highways. If the accident was on a state highway near Decatur, ALEA might have the report instead of the city.

The Morgan County Sheriff handles incidents in unincorporated areas of the county. If something happened outside Decatur city limits but in Morgan County, the sheriff has those records.

If you are unsure which agency responded to your incident, call Decatur PD first. They can tell you if they have the record or redirect you to the right agency.

Alabama Public Records Law

Your right to access police records comes from Alabama state law. Decatur follows these rules.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 states that every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public records. Police incident reports and arrest records are public records in most cases.

Exemptions exist under Alabama law. Records may be withheld if they involve:

• Active investigations
• Juvenile offenders
• Personal identifiers (Social Security, driver's license numbers)
• Security procedures
• Home addresses in some cases

You must be an Alabama resident to request public records. Bring a driver's license or state ID as proof. This residency requirement is statewide policy.

Alabama law does not set a response deadline for agencies. Decatur typically processes requests within a few business days. Complex requests take longer.

If denied, you can challenge the decision in circuit court. There is no administrative appeal. You have two years from denial to file suit.

What Records Can You Get

The Decatur Police Department maintains several types of records. Here is what you can request.

Incident Reports: Document events police respond to. Include date, time, location, and what happened. Cover crimes, disturbances, and other calls for service.

Offense Reports: More detailed crime reports. Include evidence, witness information, and investigative notes. May have more restrictions on release.

Crash Reports: Traffic accident documentation. Include diagrams, driver information, vehicle details, and fault determination. Insurance companies commonly request these.

Arrest Records: Show when someone was taken into custody. Include charges and booking information. Jail records are kept by Morgan County.

Background Checks: Local criminal history checks available for $5. Cover Decatur PD records only. Statewide checks go through ALEA.

Some records have restrictions. Active investigations stay sealed. Juvenile information is protected. Internal affairs files have limited access. Ask the Records Department about availability for your specific request.

Traffic Accident Reports

Crash reports are one of the most common requests. Here is what to know about getting them in Decatur.

Decatur PD investigates accidents within city limits on city streets. If your accident happened in Decatur, they have the report.

Reports include:

• Diagram of the crash scene
• Driver names and contact information
• Vehicle descriptions
• Insurance information
• Injuries reported
• Officer's observations and conclusions
• Citations issued

Reports are ready a few days after the accident. Officers need time to complete the paperwork. Call before coming to confirm your report is ready.

Insurance companies usually need these reports for claims. You can pick up a copy and provide it to your insurer. Or have your insurance company request it directly.

For highway accidents investigated by State Troopers, contact ALEA instead of Decatur PD.

Morgan County Resources

Some records are kept at the county level. Since Decatur is the county seat, these resources are nearby.

Morgan County Circuit Court:
Morgan County Courthouse
302 Lee Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Phone: (256) 351-4700

Morgan County Jail:
Phone: (256) 351-4832
Inmate information available

Morgan County Sheriff:
Main Office: (256) 351-4800
Handles county law enforcement outside city limits

The sheriff website may have an inmate roster. Search by name to find people currently in the Morgan County Jail. This includes anyone arrested by Decatur police.

Court records come from the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse. They maintain case files for criminal prosecutions.

Legal Assistance in Decatur

If you need legal help related to records or criminal matters, options exist.

Morgan County Bar Association:
Attorney referrals for the Decatur 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 service

Attorneys can help if you face difficulty getting records. They handle expungement requests if you want records sealed or cleared.

Police Records in Nearby Cities

Decatur is in north Alabama. Several other cities are in the region.

Each city runs its own police department. Records procedures and fees differ by location. Check the specific city page for details.

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