Clarke County Police Records

Clarke County police records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Grove Hill. The county sits in the southwestern part of Alabama along the Tombigbee River. If you need arrest records, jail inmate info, or criminal history from Clarke County, the sheriff handles most of those requests. This rural county has about 23,000 residents spread across 1,238 square miles. The sheriff runs the county jail and keeps booking records for everyone who comes through. You can get many records by calling the office or visiting in person. Some basic inmate data shows up on the jail roster online. This page covers how to find and request police records in Clarke County.

Clarke County Sheriff's Office

The Clarke County Sheriff's Office is your main stop for police records in this county. Sheriff Ray Norris runs the department from the courthouse in Grove Hill. The office handles law enforcement for all the unincorporated areas of the county. They also run the county jail and manage inmate records.

You can reach the sheriff's office at the address below. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. Phone requests work for simple questions. Written requests are best for official copies of records.

The sheriff's office employs deputies who patrol the rural areas of Clarke County. They respond to calls, make arrests, and write incident reports. All of those reports get filed at the main office. When you need a copy of a report, that is where you go.

What Records Does the Sheriff Keep

The sheriff maintains several types of records. Arrest records show who got picked up and what for. Incident reports cover crimes that happened in the county. Accident reports document crashes on county roads. The jail roster shows who is locked up right now.

Not every record is public. Some things stay sealed. Juvenile records are not open to the public. Active investigation files may be withheld. Victim information gets redacted in many cases. But basic arrest info and booking data are generally available.

Clarke County Jail Information

The Clarke County Jail sits next to the sheriff's office in Grove Hill. It holds people who are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The jail has a capacity of around 50 inmates. Most stays are temporary while cases work through the courts.

If you want to know who is in the jail, you have a few options. You can call the jail directly. Staff will tell you if a specific person is in custody. They can give you basic info like the charges and bond amount. For more detail, you may need to visit in person.

Booking records include the inmate's name and date of birth. They show the arrest date, charges filed, and bond amount if one was set. A mugshot is taken at booking. These records are public under Alabama law in most cases.

Inmate Search Options

Clarke County does have some online resources for inmate lookup. The sheriff may post a jail roster on their website or social media. This shows current inmates with photos and charges. Check the sheriff's Facebook page for updates. Some third party sites also aggregate Alabama jail data.

If online searches come up empty, call the jail. Give them the name of the person you are looking for. They can confirm if that person is in custody. They will tell you the charges and how to post bond if bail was set.

How to Request Police Records in Clarke County

Getting police records in Clarke County takes a few steps. The process depends on what you need and why you need it.

In Person Requests

Walk into the sheriff's office during business hours. Tell the clerk what record you need. Bring a photo ID. If the record is available, you can often get it the same day. Complex requests may take longer. Expect to pay a fee for copies.

Written Requests

For official copies, put your request in writing. Include your name, address, and phone number. Describe the record you want in detail. Give dates, names, and case numbers if you have them. Mail it to the sheriff's office or drop it off in person. Written requests create a paper trail.

What to Include in Your Request

Be specific. Vague requests take longer to process. Include the following details:

• Full name of the person the record is about
• Date of birth if you know it
• Date of the incident or arrest
• Case number or report number if available
• Your contact information
• Why you need the record

Some records require the subject's consent. Criminal background checks for employment need a signed release. Other records are open to anyone who asks. The staff will tell you if consent is needed.

Processing Time

Simple requests often get done in a day or two. More complex requests take longer. If records are stored offsite or archived, expect a week or more. The sheriff's office is small, so staffing affects turnaround time. Be patient but follow up if you hear nothing after a week.

Alabama Open Records Act

Your right to access police records in Clarke County comes from state law. The Alabama Open Records Act, found in Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code, gives citizens the right to inspect public records. Police records fall under this law with some limits.

The law says every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings. Records made by government offices are generally public. This includes arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking data. The sheriff must let you see these records upon request.

There are exceptions. Active criminal investigations can be kept secret until the case is closed. Juvenile records are sealed. Home addresses and personal phone numbers of victims get redacted. Security plans and similar sensitive info stay private. But most routine police records are open.

Alabama has a quirk in its open records law. Only residents of Alabama can request records. You must show proof of residency. A driver's license works. So does a voter registration card. Out of state requesters do not have the same rights under this law.

There is no set deadline for agencies to respond. This is a gap in Alabama law. The sheriff should respond in a reasonable time. If they drag their feet, you can file a complaint. Ultimately, you can sue in circuit court to force disclosure. But most requests get handled without that hassle.

Fees for Police Records in Clarke County

Expect to pay something for records. The sheriff can charge reasonable fees to cover costs. Here is what you might pay in Clarke County.

Fees vary based on what you need. A simple one-page report costs less than a thick file. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. The sheriff sets the exact amounts. Call ahead to find out current fees before you visit.

Payment methods depend on the office. Cash works. Money orders are accepted. Some offices take checks. Credit cards may or may not be an option. Ask when you make your request so you bring the right form of payment.

Other Law Enforcement in Clarke County

The sheriff is not the only law enforcement in Clarke County. Several small towns have their own police departments. If a crime happened in one of those towns, that police department has the records.

Grove Hill Police Department

Grove Hill is the county seat with its own police force. They handle crimes within the town limits. Contact them for reports on incidents in Grove Hill.

Jackson Police Department

Jackson is the largest town in Clarke County. Their police department covers the town. For records from Jackson, call their department directly.

Thomasville Police Department

Thomasville straddles Clarke and Choctaw Counties. Their police handle matters in town. Contact them for incidents within Thomasville limits.

If you are not sure which agency has the record you need, call the sheriff. They can point you in the right direction. They know who handles what in Clarke County.

Court Records vs Police Records

Police records and court records are different things. The sheriff keeps arrest records and incident reports. The Circuit Clerk keeps court records. Do not confuse the two.

Once someone gets arrested, their case goes to court. The court creates its own file. This includes the charging document, motions, orders, and the final judgment. These records live at the Clarke County Circuit Clerk's office, not the sheriff.

For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Grove Hill. You can also search online through the Alacourt system. That is a paid service that covers all Alabama courts. The sheriff cannot give you court documents.

Clarke County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, and Washington Counties. One judge may handle cases across multiple counties in this circuit.

State Criminal Records

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains the statewide criminal database. If you need a full background check, ALEA is the source. Local sheriff records only cover what happened in that county. ALEA has records from across Alabama.

You can request a background check from ALEA online or by mail. The fee is $15 online or $25 by mail. Results include arrests and convictions from all Alabama counties. This is more complete than just checking with one sheriff.

For fingerprint based checks, you must get printed locally. The Clarke County Sheriff's Office can take your prints. Those prints go to ALEA for processing. This type of check catches more records than a name search alone.

Nearby Counties

Clarke County borders several other Alabama counties. If you need records from a neighboring county, here are links to their pages.

Search Clarke County Records

Use the tool below to search for police records, arrest records, and inmate information in Clarke County, Alabama.