Dothan Police Records Lookup

Police records in Dothan are maintained by the Dothan Police Department Records Division. The city sits mainly in Houston County, though portions extend into Dale and Henry Counties. Known as the "Peanut Capital of the World," Dothan is the largest city in the southeastern corner of Alabama. The police department handles all incident reports, arrest records, and crash reports for events within city limits. Requests go through the Records Division, which has specific procedures and forms. This page explains how to get records, what they cost, and where to go for assistance.

Houston County Handles Dothan Cases

Dothan sits primarily in Houston County. This is where most criminal cases from the city get processed through the court system.

The Houston County Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions. The courthouse is located in downtown Dothan, which is the county seat. Misdemeanor cases may go through the Dothan Municipal Court instead.

When Dothan police make an arrest, the person typically goes to the Houston County Jail. The jail sits at 901 East Main Street. The sheriff maintains booking records and current inmate rosters there.

Some parts of Dothan extend into Dale County and Henry County. If an incident happens in those areas, the case might go to a different court. But for most Dothan residents, Houston County is where things get filed.

Court records are separate from police records. The Houston County Circuit Clerk keeps case files after prosecution begins. Police records stay with the Dothan Police Department. These are two different offices with two different sets of records.

The Houston County District Attorney handles prosecutions. They work closely with Dothan police on criminal cases. But the DA does not process record requests from the public.

Dothan Police Department Contact Information

The Dothan Police Department operates the Records Division. This is who you contact for police records.

Records Division Address:
Dothan Police Department
210 North Saint Andrews Street
Dothan, AL 36303

Records Division Phone: (334) 615-4650

Records Division Fax: (334) 615-3629

The Records Division handles all requests for incident reports, offense reports, and crash reports. Call them to start the process or ask questions.

City Clerk Contact:
Tammy Danner, City Clerk
126 N. Saint Andrews St., Suite 201
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 615-3160
Email: tkdanner@dothan.org

For general public records that are not police reports, the City Clerk may be the right contact. Police records go through the Police Department directly.

How to Request Police Records in Dothan

Dothan has a defined process for getting police records. Here is how it works.

Request for Documents Form

The city uses a Request for Documents form. You can get this form at the police department or from the city website. Fill it out completely with your contact information and details about the record you need.

Include the date of the incident, location, and names of people involved. The more detail you provide, the faster they can find your record.

In Person Requests

Visit the Records Division at 210 North Saint Andrews Street. Bring a valid ID. Staff can help you complete the request form and tell you about fees and timing.

In person is often the quickest route for simple requests. You can ask questions and get immediate answers.

Online Requests

Dothan offers some online options through the city website. Check dothan.org for the latest forms and submission methods. Online requests still require follow-up for payment and pickup in many cases.

By Mail or Fax

Send your request form to the Records Division by mail or fax. The fax number is (334) 615-3629. Include all required information and your contact details.

Mail to:
Dothan Police Department
Records Division
210 North Saint Andrews Street
Dothan, AL 36303

Processing takes longer for mail requests. Allow extra time for delivery and response.

Dothan Police Records Fees

Fees for police records in Dothan vary. Contact the Records Division for current pricing.

The department does not publish a standard fee schedule online. When you call or visit, staff will tell you what your specific request costs. This depends on the type of record and number of pages.

Expect fees similar to other Alabama cities. Incident reports typically cost $5 to $10. Crash reports are usually in the same range. Per-page copy fees apply for large documents.

Payment methods include cash and money orders. Ask about credit card acceptance when you contact them.

Crash reports may also be available through ALEA online for $17. This is an option if you prefer downloading reports electronically rather than going through the local department.

For the most accurate fee information, call the Records Division at (334) 615-4650 before submitting your request.

Alabama Public Records Law

Alabama law gives you the right to access most police records. Understanding the law helps when making requests.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 states that every citizen has the right to inspect and take a copy of public writings. Police reports are considered public records unless a specific exemption applies.

Common exemptions include:

• Active investigations that could be compromised
• Juvenile records
• Personal identifiers like Social Security numbers
• Home addresses of victims and witnesses
• Security procedures

You must be an Alabama resident to request public records. Show a valid driver's license or state ID to prove residency. This requirement applies across all state and local agencies.

Alabama does not have a set deadline for agencies to respond. Dothan typically processes requests within one week. Complex requests take longer. There is no penalty for delays under current state law.

If your request is denied, you can appeal by filing suit in circuit court. There is no administrative review process. You have two years to file after denial.

What Records Are Available

The Dothan Police Department maintains several categories of records. Here is what you can request.

Incident Reports: Document crimes, accidents, and other events police respond to. Include date, time, location, and description of what happened. Useful for insurance claims and personal records.

Offense Reports: More detailed than incident reports. Cover crimes with evidence collected, witness statements, and investigative notes. May have more restrictions on release.

Arrest Records: Show when someone was taken into custody by Dothan police. Include charges filed and booking information. Actual jail records are at Houston County.

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

Restrictions:

• Crash reports may only go to involved parties in some cases
• Pending investigations stay sealed until closed
• Juvenile information is protected
• Internal affairs records have limited access

Ask the Records Division about availability for your specific request. They can tell you if restrictions apply.

Processing Time for Records

Getting police records in Dothan takes some time. Here is what to expect.

Standard processing time is up to one week. The Records Division handles many requests. Yours goes into the queue and gets processed in order.

Simple requests with complete information process faster. If you provide the case number, date, and names, staff can find the record quickly. Vague requests take longer because they require searching.

New reports need time before release. After an incident, the officer writes the report. A supervisor reviews it. It enters the system. This takes several days at minimum. Major incidents take longer due to the detail involved.

In person visits can speed things up for existing reports. If the record is ready, you might get it the same day or next day.

Mail requests take the longest. Add delivery time both ways to the processing time. Two weeks is reasonable for a mail-in request.

Call (334) 615-4650 to check on your request status. Staff can tell you where things stand.

Houston County Court and Jail Resources

Some records are kept at the county level rather than with city police.

Houston County Circuit Court:
Houston County Courthouse
114 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677-4760

Houston County Jail:
901 East Main Street
Dothan, AL 36301
Phone: (334) 677-4889

Houston County Sheriff:
Main Office: (334) 677-4870
Handles jail operations and county law enforcement

The sheriff website has inmate search features. You can look up who is currently in the Houston County Jail. This includes anyone arrested by Dothan police if they are being held there.

Court records for prosecuted cases come from the Circuit Clerk, not the police department. Contact them for case files, judgments, and sentencing documents.

Dale and Henry County Portions

Parts of Dothan extend into two other counties. This can affect where records are kept.

A small portion of Dothan is in Dale County. If an incident occurred in that area, the case might go through Dale County courts. The Dale County seat is Ozark.

Another portion is in Henry County. The county seat is Abbeville. Incidents in that part of Dothan could involve Henry County courts.

For most residents, Houston County handles everything. But if you are near the edge of the city in the Dale or Henry portions, the county line matters for court jurisdiction.

The Dothan Police Department handles all city incidents regardless of which county portion they occur in. Police records stay with the city. Court records go to whichever county has jurisdiction.

Legal Assistance in Dothan

Need help with records or legal matters? Several options exist in the Dothan area.

Houston County Bar Association:
Local attorney referrals available
Serves the Dothan and Wiregrass area

Legal Services Alabama:
Free civil legal assistance for qualifying residents
Phone: 1-866-456-4995
Serves low-income individuals

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral:
Website: alabar.org
Statewide referral service

Attorneys can help if you face difficulty getting records released. They handle expungement cases too if you want records cleared.

Police Records in Nearby Cities

Dothan is in southeastern Alabama. Other major cities are some distance away but may be relevant.

Each city runs its own police department with separate records systems. Procedures and fees vary by location.

Search Police Records Now

Use the search tool below to find police records in Dothan and across Alabama.