Find Cullman County Police Records

Police records in Cullman County are managed by the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Matt Gentry leads the department. The detention center holds up to 326 inmates. An online jail roster lets you search for current inmates at no cost. This page explains how to look up arrest records, find inmates in custody, and request police reports from Cullman County. The county is in north central Alabama and is known for its German heritage and the Ave Maria Grotto.

Cullman County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff handles law enforcement across the county. Matt Gentry is the current sheriff. The office runs the jail. It patrols roads. It works on criminal cases.

Contact info:

• Address: 1900 Beech Ave SE, Cullman, AL 35055
• Phone: (256) 734-0342
• Website: cullmansheriff.org

The office is open weekdays. For emergencies, call 911. The dispatch line takes calls around the clock. Deputies can respond any time of day or night.

Many divisions work under the sheriff. Road patrol responds to calls. Investigations handles crimes. Civil process serves papers. The jail division runs the detention center.

Cullman County Detention Center

The jail is at a different address than the main office. It can house 326 inmates. The facility holds people awaiting court. It also holds those serving sentences under one year.

Detention Center contact:

• Phone: (256) 735-2400

Southern Health Partners provides medical care on site. Staff is there around the clock. Inmates can see a nurse or doctor when needed. This is required by law.

When someone is booked, staff takes their photo. They record charges. They enter bond info. This data feeds the online roster. The whole process can take a few hours.

Inmates can call out. Family sets up an account to get calls. There are fees per call. Video visits may also be an option. Call the jail for current rules.

Search Cullman County Jail Roster

The sheriff posts a roster online. You can see who is in jail. This is free to use. No account is needed.

Go to the sheriff's website. Find the jail roster link. You can search by name. You can also search by date of birth or booking number.

Each record shows:

• Full name and mugshot
• Date of birth
• Date booked
• Charges on file
• Bond amount set

The roster updates often. But it is not instant. New arrests may take time to show up. Staff must finish the booking first. Wait a few hours after an arrest. Then check again.

This is public info. Anyone can look. Families check on loved ones. Employers verify status. Victims see if someone is locked up. The data is there for all to see.

Get Police Records in Cullman County

Need a copy of an arrest record? Or an incident report? The sheriff can help with that.

First, gather your info. Know the date of the event. Know the location. Have any case number you were given. Details help staff find your record fast.

Then contact the records office. You can call or go in person. Ask how to submit a request. Some places need a form. Others handle it at the window.

Alabama limits access to state residents. Bring your Alabama ID. It must show a local address. If you live out of state, your request may be denied.

What to bring or include:

• Your name and contact info
• Your Alabama driver's license or ID
• Date and location of the incident
• Case number if known
• Money for fees

There are costs for most records. Copies cost by the page. Reports may have a set fee. Ask about costs before you commit.

Alabama has no law that forces a fast response. Some requests come back quick. Others take a while. Follow up if you wait too long.

How to Post Bond in Cullman County

After an arrest, a judge sets bail. The amount depends on the charges. The person's history plays a role too. Some bonds follow a schedule. Others require a court hearing.

Options for posting bond:

• Cash bond: Pay the full amount. It comes back when the case ends, minus fines.
• Bondsman: Pay a fee to a bail agent. They cover the rest. You lose the fee.
• Property bond: Use land as collateral. This takes longer to set up.

The jail takes cash and money orders. They may not accept checks. Call to confirm payment types. Bring the right form of payment.

Once bond is paid, release is not instant. Staff checks for other holds. They do paperwork. Expect a wait of a few hours before the person walks out.

Cullman County Court Records

Police records and court records are separate things. The police arrest people. The courts try cases. Each has its own records.

Cullman County is in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Courts are in the city of Cullman. District Court handles minor crimes. Circuit Court handles felonies and appeals.

You can search cases at pa.alacourt.com. A name search is $9.99. You see hearing dates, charges, and case results. Document images cost extra.

For paper copies, visit the Circuit Clerk. They work in the courthouse. Give them the case name or number. They pull the file. They make copies for a fee.

Court records show what happened after arrest. Was there a trial? A plea deal? What sentence was given? This is all in the court file.

Legal Help in Cullman County

If you need a lawyer but cannot pay, there are options. The court system provides help for low income people.

Public defenders handle criminal cases. At the first court date, the judge asks about income. If you qualify, you get a lawyer at no charge. This is your constitutional right.

Legal aid groups cover civil matters. They help with housing, family, and money issues. They do not take criminal cases. Contact Legal Services Alabama to apply.

The state bar runs a referral line. Call them and describe your issue. They connect you with a lawyer. The first meeting is usually cheap.

Law libraries in courthouses are open to the public. You can research laws and look up forms. Staff will point you in the right direction but will not give legal advice.

Alabama Public Records Law

State law sets the rules for who can see police records. The Open Records Act is the main statute.

Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code gives residents the right to inspect public records. This includes arrest logs and incident reports. But you must live in Alabama. Bring ID when you ask.

Not all records are available. Active cases may be kept private. Addresses of arrested people are not given out. Juvenile names stay sealed. These limits protect privacy.

There is no deadline for agencies to answer. Some are fast. Some are slow. You may need to follow up more than once.

If you are denied, you can sue. File your case in circuit court. There is no other way to appeal. You have two years from the denial to take action.

Nearby Counties

Cullman County sits in north central Alabama. It touches these counties:

An arrest near a county border could be in either county. If unsure, check both sheriff websites.

Cities in Cullman County

Cullman is the largest city and the county seat. It has its own police for crimes in city limits. Other towns include Good Hope, Hanceville, Holly Pond, Vinemont, and West Point. Smaller towns may use the sheriff for law enforcement.

If a crime happened in a city, that city's police may have responded. Crimes outside city limits go to the sheriff. The jail roster shows people from both.

Note that the city of Cullman (population around 17,000) is below our 50,000 threshold and does not have a dedicated page. Contact Cullman Police at (256) 734-1434 for local city records.

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