Etowah County Inmate Records

Police records in Etowah County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Gadsden. They run a large detention center. The inmate roster is online for free. You can search by name to find who is in jail. Check their charges. See bond amounts. Etowah County sits in northeast Alabama along the Coosa River. This page explains how to search arrest records, access the jail roster, and request police reports in Etowah County.

Etowah County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Jonathon W. Horton runs the office. They handle law enforcement for the county. The jail falls under their control.

Contact details:

• Address: 827 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901
• Phone: 256-546-2825
• Fax: 256-549-2171
• Detention Center: 256-549-5408
• Website: etowahcountysheriff.com

The main office is on Forrest Avenue. The detention center has its own phone line. Use the right number for faster help.

For records, call the main office first. They will point you to the right person. Some requests need paperwork. Others can be done by phone.

Etowah County Inmate Roster

The sheriff posts an inmate list online. Go to etowahcountysheriff.com/roster.php to search.

The roster has two parts:

• Current inmates in custody
• 48-hour release list

Each listing shows:

• Full name of the person
• Photo (mugshot)
• Charges filed
• Bond amount set
• Booking info and date

This search costs nothing. Open the page. Type a name. Results show up fast. Works on phones and computers.

The list updates often. If someone bonds out, they drop off the current list. Check the 48-hour release section for recent outs.

Etowah County Detention Center

The jail holds up to 950 inmates. That makes it one of the bigger ones in Alabama. It sits in Gadsden near the sheriff office.

The facility holds many types of inmates:

• County arrests awaiting trial
• Short term sentences
• City arrests from local police
• Some state transfers

Visiting hours are limited. Video visits run Sunday through Wednesday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The schedule can change. Call ahead to check.

To add money to an inmate account, use the approved service. This lets them buy commissary items. Food, stamps, and hygiene products are common.

The detention center has medical staff. Mental health services are there too. Programs help some inmates prepare for release.

How to Get Police Records

Getting records takes a few steps. The process depends on what you need.

For jail data, use the online roster. It is free. It shows current inmates right now.

For arrest reports, contact the sheriff. Call them. Explain what you need. They will tell you the steps.

Common requests:

• Copies of booking records
• Incident reports for crimes
• Accident reports from county roads
• Background information

Alabama law lets residents see public records. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 grants this right. Bring your ID. Prove you live in Alabama.

Some records stay private. Active cases may be held back. Juvenile names never come out. Victim info is often hidden.

If you were involved in the case, bring ID and the case number. Victims have rights to their reports.

Record Fees in Etowah County

Online inmate searches are free. Paper copies cost money.

The jail roster costs nothing to use. Search all day if you want. No charge.

Copies of reports have per page fees. Most agencies charge $0.50 to $1.50 per page. A full report could be 10 pages or more.

Crash reports typically cost $10 to $25. ALEA handles highway crashes for $17 online. Local fees vary.

Background checks go through ALEA. The state charges $25 by mail or $15 online. The sheriff cannot run state checks for you.

Court records at the clerk have fees too. Name searches on Alacourt cost $9.99. Certified copies cost more.

Call first. Ask the fee. Ask what payment they accept. Cash only at some offices. Money orders at others.

Alabama Laws on Records

Several state laws shape what you can get. Here are the main ones.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 is the base rule. Alabama residents can see public records. Police reports are generally public.

Criminal history needs consent. You cannot pull someone else's full record without permission. Alabama Code Section 41-9-591 covers this.

Expungement can clear records. Dropped charges can be erased. So can acquittals. Alabama Code Section 41-9-625 explains the process.

Juvenile records stay sealed. Minors get privacy. Alabama Code Section 12-15-133 keeps their files closed.

All arrests go to ALEA within 30 days. Even if the county site does not show something, ALEA might have it in the state database.

Court Records vs. Police Records

These are different things. They live in different places.

The sheriff keeps arrest records. Who got booked. What charges were filed. Bail amounts. Release dates.

The Circuit Clerk keeps court records. Case filings. Plea deals. Trial results. Sentences.

Etowah County is in the 16th Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is in Gadsden. For court files, go there.

You can search some records online. Alacourt Access covers all Alabama courts. A name search costs $9.99.

For a full picture, get both. Arrest records show the start. Court records show the end result.

Victim Notification

Victims can track inmates. VINELink offers free alerts. Sign up at vinelink.com.

VINELink sends updates when status changes. You get a call, text, or email. Know when someone gets released. Know if they move jails.

This service is free. It works statewide. Search by name. Register for alerts. Stay informed.

The District Attorney office also helps victims. Contact them for court date info and safety planning.

Cities in Etowah County

Etowah County has Gadsden and several smaller towns.

Gadsden is the county seat. It is the largest city. Gadsden has its own police force. For city crimes, contact them. Not the sheriff.

Other places include Attalla, Rainbow City, Glencoe, and Southside. Some have local police. Others rely on the sheriff.

When you need records, think about who came to the scene. City police keep city records. The sheriff keeps county records. Go to the right place.

Note: None of the cities in Etowah County have over 50,000 people. Gadsden is the biggest at about 33,000.

Nearby Counties

Etowah County is in northeast Alabama. These counties are close.

Calhoun County has Anniston. Cherokee and DeKalb are to the east. Marshall is north. Blount and St. Clair are west.

Records stay in the county where the incident happened. If it was in Calhoun, go to Calhoun. Etowah will not have it.

Search Etowah County Records

Use the tool below to search police and arrest records.