Access Chilton County Police Records

Police records in Chilton County are maintained by the sheriff's office in Clanton. These include arrest records, booking information, and jail rosters. The Chilton County Sheriff handles law enforcement for the unincorporated areas and operates the county jail where inmates from across the county are held.

Chilton County Sheriff's Office

The Chilton County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for rural parts of the county. Deputies handle patrol, criminal investigation, and court security. The sheriff also runs the county jail. The office is in Clanton, which is the county seat.

Arrest records are created when deputies take someone into custody. These records show the person's name, date of birth, charges, and booking date. A mugshot is part of the booking process. Bond information shows what it takes to get released before trial.

Contact Information:

• Address: 500 2nd Avenue North, Clanton, AL 35045
• Phone: (205) 755-4698
• County Seat: Clanton
• Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Chilton County is in the 19th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Autauga and Elmore counties. Criminal cases from Chilton County go to the Circuit Court in Clanton. The District Attorney for the 19th Circuit handles felony prosecutions.

The sheriff's office can tell you what records are available. Call or visit to ask about a specific record. A written request is best if you need formal documentation. They will explain the process and any costs involved.

Chilton County Jail Records

The Chilton County Jail is run by the sheriff. Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires sheriffs to keep records of all persons held in the county jail. This is state law that applies to every county.

Jail records include booking information for every inmate. You can find out who is in custody, what they are charged with, and when they were booked. Most records include a mugshot. Bond amounts are listed so people know what is needed for release.

The jail holds different types of inmates. Some are waiting for trial. Some are serving sentences under one year. Some are waiting for transfer to state prison. The sheriff manages all of these groups.

To check if someone is in the Chilton County Jail, call the sheriff's office. Provide the person's name. Staff can confirm if they are in custody and give you basic information about the charges and bond.

VINELink lets you get alerts about inmates. Go to vinelink.com and search for Chilton County, Alabama. You can register to receive notifications when an inmate is released, transferred, or has another status change. Choose phone, email, or text alerts.

For people in state prison, use a different search. The Alabama Department of Corrections runs state facilities. Their inmate search at doc.alabama.gov shows anyone serving time in state prison. That is separate from the county jail.

How to Get Police Records

Alabama's Open Records Act is found in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This law gives Alabama residents the right to inspect and copy public records. Police records are included unless a specific exemption applies.

You must be an Alabama resident to request records. This is a requirement under state law. Bring proof of residency when you make your request. A driver's license works. Voter registration works too. A utility bill with your Alabama address is another option.

Follow these steps to request records. Start by figuring out exactly what you need. Write down names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. The more specific you are, the faster the search will go.

Put your request in writing. You can bring it to the sheriff's office in person. You can also mail it. Include your name, address, and phone number so they can reach you about the request.

There is no time limit for agencies to respond under Alabama law. Some requests get handled in days. Others take weeks. Complex requests take longer. Call to follow up if you have not heard back after a reasonable time.

If the request is denied, they must explain why in writing. You have two years to appeal to circuit court if you believe the denial was wrong.

Records you can typically get:

• Arrest records with charges and booking details
• Incident reports from closed investigations
• Mugshots from the booking process
• Accident reports from sheriff's deputies
• Jail rosters showing current inmates

Some records are off limits. Active investigations remain confidential. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Social Security numbers and home addresses are removed before records are released.

Record Request Fees

Agencies can charge reasonable fees for copies. Most Alabama sheriff offices charge between 25 cents and one dollar per page. Large requests may have processing fees too.

Ask about fees before submitting your request. This helps avoid surprises. Payment is usually cash, check, or money order. Some offices accept credit cards but not all do.

You might be able to view records for free. If you just want to look at documents without getting copies, ask about that option. Viewing in person often has no fee.

Background checks through ALEA cost $25 by mail or $15 online. The local sheriff does not run background checks for the public. You have to go through ALEA for that.

Statewide Criminal Records

Local arrests get reported to the state. The Chilton County Sheriff sends fingerprints and arrest data to ALEA within 30 days of each booking. This creates a record in the statewide criminal database.

ALEA is the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. They maintain the central criminal history system for Alabama. For records from multiple counties or a statewide search, go through ALEA.

ALEA contact information:

• Address: 301 S. Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36130
• Phone: (334) 353-4301
• Criminal Records: 1-866-740-4762
• Online: alea.gov

Court records are searchable through Alacourt Access. Go to pa.alacourt.com to look up criminal cases. A name search costs $9.99 for one case. This shows what happened in court, not just the arrest.

Chilton County Court Records

Court records are separate from police records. Police records show the arrest. Court records show what happened after. The Circuit Clerk maintains court files in Chilton County.

The courthouse is in Clanton. Circuit Court handles felonies and appeals from District Court. District Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. Both courts are part of the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Court records include complaints, plea agreements, trial records, and sentencing orders. If you want to know the outcome of a case, you need court records. Arrest records only show the initial booking.

Contact the Chilton County Circuit Clerk for court documents. You can also search online through the Alacourt system if you prefer.

Cities in Chilton County

Chilton County has several communities. Clanton is the county seat and largest city with about 9,000 people. Jemison and Thorsby are other incorporated areas. None have populations large enough for dedicated pages on this site.

Clanton has its own police department. For crimes within Clanton city limits, contact Clanton Police. The sheriff handles rural areas outside city limits. Both agencies book inmates into the county jail.

Regardless of which agency makes the arrest, jail records are with the sheriff. The Chilton County Jail holds inmates from city police and sheriff's deputies alike. Call the sheriff to check on inmates.

Chilton County sits between Birmingham and Montgomery along Interstate 65. It is a growing area with a mix of rural land and small towns.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border Chilton County. If you need records from a neighboring area, here are the links:

Each county maintains its own police records. Records from Chilton County are not kept in Shelby County or Elmore County. Contact the right sheriff's office for your request.

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Use the tool below to search for police records in Chilton County. Find arrest data, inmate information, and criminal history.