Crenshaw County Police Records
Police records in Crenshaw County are kept by the Sheriff's Office at the county seat in Luverne. The department handles all arrests, bookings, and jail operations for this rural south Alabama county. You can find current inmates, past arrest records, and criminal history through official channels. This page covers how to request records, what fees apply, and where to look for specific information. Crenshaw County has a smaller population than many Alabama counties, so the jail typically holds fewer inmates at any given time. Still, all records are maintained according to state law. The sheriff's office serves as the main law enforcement agency for areas outside of municipalities.
Crenshaw County Quick Facts
Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office
The Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office is your main source for police records in this county. They run the county jail, process arrests, and maintain booking records. The office is located in Luverne, right at the courthouse complex.
Contact the sheriff's office for records requests:
- Address: 89 S. Glenwood Avenue, Luverne, AL 36049
- Phone: (334) 335-3316
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The sheriff is an elected official. The current sheriff runs the department along with deputies who patrol the county. Crenshaw County does not have a large police force, so the sheriff's office handles most law enforcement calls outside of Luverne city limits.
When you call, ask for the records division. They can tell you what documents are available and how much it costs. Most requests are handled within a few days for a small county like this.
Crenshaw County Jail Information
The Crenshaw County Jail is run by the sheriff. It holds people who are arrested in the county and those awaiting trial in local courts. The jail is small compared to urban counties.
Jail records include booking information. When someone is brought in, the jail creates a record. This shows the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and booking date. A photo is also taken at booking.
To find out if someone is in jail:
- Call the jail directly at (334) 335-3316
- Ask for the jail or detention center
- Provide the full name of the person you are looking for
Some smaller counties in Alabama do not have online inmate rosters. Crenshaw County may require you to call for current inmate information. The staff can tell you if someone is currently held and what their bond is set at.
Visitation hours are set by the jail. Call ahead to check the schedule. You will need valid ID to visit an inmate. The jail has rules about what visitors can bring.
How to Request Police Records in Crenshaw County
Getting police records in Crenshaw County follows the same basic process as the rest of Alabama. You can request records in person, by mail, or sometimes by phone for simple inquiries.
To get a copy of an arrest record or incident report:
- Contact the sheriff's office records division
- Provide as much detail as possible about the record you need
- Fill out any required request forms
- Pay the applicable fees
- Wait for processing
For incident reports, you will need to know the date and location of the incident. Having a case number speeds things up a lot. Without it, staff must search manually.
Criminal background checks are handled differently. For a full background check, you need to go through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The sheriff's office can help with fingerprinting. Then those prints get sent to ALEA for processing. This costs $25 by mail or $15 online through the state portal.
Crash reports for accidents in unincorporated Crenshaw County come from the sheriff's office or ALEA troopers, depending on who responded. Ask which agency handled your accident.
Alabama Open Records Act
The Alabama Open Records Act gives residents the right to inspect public records. This law is found in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Police records generally fall under this law.
Here is what you should know about requesting records in Alabama:
- You must be an Alabama resident to request records
- Bring ID like a driver's license to prove residency
- Agencies can charge a reasonable fee for copies
- There is no set deadline for agencies to respond
- Some information may be redacted for privacy
Section 36-12-41 says agencies must provide copies when you pay the fee. Most departments charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Some have a minimum fee.
Not everything is public. Alabama law protects certain information. Home addresses, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers get redacted. Juvenile records are sealed. Active investigation files may be withheld until a case is closed.
If an agency denies your request, you can ask them to cite the specific exemption. You have the right to sue in circuit court if you believe the denial was wrong. But there is no administrative appeal process in Alabama.
Fees for Crenshaw County Police Records
Crenshaw County charges fees for copies of records. These fees help cover staff time and materials. Exact amounts may change, so confirm current fees when you make a request.
Typical fees in Alabama counties include:
- Copy fees: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Incident reports: $10 to $25
- Accident reports: $10 to $20
- Certified copies: Higher than regular copies
- Background check fingerprinting: Varies
The sheriff's office accepts payment by cash or money order. Some departments now take credit cards, but smaller counties often prefer cash or checks. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call.
Looking up current inmates is usually free. The jail will tell you over the phone if someone is in custody. Written copies of booking records may cost a small fee.
Crenshaw County Court Records
Court records are separate from police records. The Circuit Clerk handles court documents for criminal and civil cases. Crenshaw County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit along with Coffee and Pike counties.
For criminal case records:
- Circuit Clerk's Office: (334) 335-6568
- Address: Crenshaw County Courthouse, 29 S. Glenwood Avenue, Luverne, AL 36049
- Online access: Alacourt Access
Alacourt Access lets you search court cases online. A name search costs $9.99. You can see case details, charges, and dispositions. This covers Circuit Court cases. District Court and municipal court records may need to be requested separately.
The District Court handles misdemeanor cases and small claims. They also handle traffic tickets. Contact the District Clerk at the courthouse for these records.
State and Federal Resources
Some records come from state agencies, not the county. Here are resources that cover Crenshaw County residents.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
ALEA keeps the statewide criminal database. For a complete criminal history, you need to go through ALEA. Contact them at 1-866-740-4762 or use the ALEA Records Portal.
Alabama Department of Corrections
If someone was convicted of a felony and sent to state prison, their record is in the ADOC system. Search at doc.alabama.gov. This does not include county jail inmates.
Sex Offender Registry
The state sex offender registry at community.alea.gov shows registered offenders in Crenshaw County. This is free to search.
VINELink
Register at vinelink.com to get alerts when an inmate's status changes. This is free for victims and concerned citizens.
Legal Help in Crenshaw County
If you need legal assistance with records or a criminal matter, these resources may help.
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. They cover civil matters including record expungement. Visit legalservicesalabama.org or call their intake line.
The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with an attorney. Contact them at alabar.org.
For expungement questions, talk to a lawyer. Alabama law allows expungement in certain cases. Under Alabama Code Section 41-9-625, records must be expunged when charges are dropped or someone is found not guilty. Other expungement rules apply to specific offenses after waiting periods.
Nearby Counties
Crenshaw County shares borders with several other Alabama counties. If you need records from a neighboring county, use the links below.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find police records in Crenshaw County. Search arrests, inmates, and criminal history.