Search Geneva County Police Records
Police records for Geneva County are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in the city of Geneva. The department keeps all arrest records, jail bookings, and incident reports for the county. Located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama near the Florida line, Geneva County is home to about 27,000 residents. The sheriff handles law enforcement for rural areas and unincorporated communities. This guide walks you through how to find arrest records, check on inmates, and request official documents from Geneva County agencies. You will learn about fees, the Alabama Open Records Act, and where to look for court records too.
Geneva County Quick Facts
Geneva County Sheriff's Office
The Geneva County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. They handle arrests, run the jail, and keep police records. The sheriff is elected by county voters and serves a four-year term.
Here is the contact information:
- Address: 200 N. Commerce Street, Geneva, AL 36340
- Phone: (334) 684-2610
- Jail: (334) 684-2610
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
The office has a records division that handles public requests. When you need a copy of a report or want to check on an arrest, this is who you call. Deputies patrol the rural areas of the county. City police handle crimes inside Geneva city limits and other municipalities.
Geneva County sits at the Florida border. Sometimes incidents involve people from out of state. The sheriff works with Florida authorities on cross-border matters.
Geneva County Jail and Inmate Search
The Geneva County Jail is attached to the sheriff's office. It holds pretrial detainees and people serving short sentences. The jail also holds inmates for other agencies when needed.
When someone gets arrested, a booking record is created. This record shows:
- Full name and date of birth
- Charges filed against them
- Bond amount if bail is set
- Booking date and time
- Mugshot taken at intake
To find out if someone is in the Geneva County Jail, call the facility at (334) 684-2610. Staff can confirm if a person is in custody. They can also tell you the charges and bond amount.
Smaller counties in Alabama do not always have online inmate search tools. You may need to call for current roster information. Some third-party websites list jail rosters, but the sheriff's office is the most accurate source.
Visitation is allowed on set days. Call ahead to get the schedule. Visitors must show ID and follow jail rules. There are limits on what you can bring in.
How to Get Police Records in Geneva County
Getting police records in Geneva County follows Alabama law. You have the right to request public records if you are a resident of the state. Here is how the process works.
For arrest records and incident reports:
- Contact the sheriff's office or the police department that handled the case
- Provide the date of the incident and names involved
- Fill out a records request form if required
- Pay the fee for copies
- Wait for processing
If you have a case number, give that to the records clerk. It makes finding your file much faster. Without a case number, they have to search by name and date.
Some records are not kept at the sheriff's office. Court records go to the Circuit Clerk. Vital records like death certificates go to the state. Traffic tickets might be at District Court. Ask which office has what you need.
For a full criminal background check, you must use the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The sheriff can take your fingerprints. Those prints go to ALEA in Montgomery. The state fee is $25 by mail or $15 online.
Alabama Open Records Act
Alabama law gives you the right to see public records. The Open Records Act is in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Most police records are covered.
Key points about the law:
- Only Alabama residents can request records
- You need to show proof like a driver's license
- Agencies can charge for copies
- No deadline exists for agencies to respond
- Some information gets blacked out for privacy
Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must give you copies when you pay the fee. This is required by state law.
What is not public? Juvenile records stay sealed. Home addresses and Social Security numbers get redacted. Active investigation files can be held back. Anything that could harm someone's safety may be withheld.
If the sheriff denies your request, ask for the legal reason. They should cite a specific exemption. You can take it to court if you think the denial was wrong.
Geneva County Records Fees
There are fees for getting copies of police records. These cover the cost of staff time and supplies. Geneva County follows standard fee ranges for Alabama.
Common fees include:
- Copies: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Incident reports: $10 to $25
- Accident reports: $10 to $20
- Certified copies: Extra fee on top of copy cost
Payment is usually by cash or money order. Some offices now take cards. Call ahead to ask what they accept.
Looking up inmates by phone is free. The jail will confirm custody status at no charge. If you need written proof, that may cost a small fee.
ALEA background checks have set fees. Online is $15. By mail is $25. These go to the state, not the county.
Geneva County Court Records
Court records are different from police records. They come from the court system, not the sheriff. Geneva County is in the 33rd Judicial Circuit along with Dale County.
The Circuit Clerk handles felony cases and civil matters. Contact information:
- Address: Geneva County Courthouse, 200 N. Commerce Street, Geneva, AL 36340
- Phone: (334) 684-2275
You can search court cases online at Alacourt Access. A basic search costs $9.99. This shows case details, charges, and how the case ended. It covers Circuit Court cases across Alabama.
District Court handles traffic cases, misdemeanors, and small claims. The District Clerk is in the same courthouse. Municipal courts in Geneva and other cities handle local ordinance violations.
For case records, you often need the case number or the person's name. Having the approximate date helps narrow the search.
State and Federal Resources
Some records are not at the county level. State agencies hold certain information that covers Geneva County residents.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
ALEA runs the state criminal database. For a complete history, you need their records. Use the ALEA Records Portal or call 1-866-740-4762.
Alabama Department of Corrections
State prison inmates are in the ADOC system. This does not include county jail inmates. Search at doc.alabama.gov.
Sex Offender Registry
Search registered offenders at community.alea.gov. This shows who lives in Geneva County and their offense details.
Federal Courts
Geneva County is in the Middle District of Alabama. Federal cases are searched through PACER at pacer.gov. Federal crimes are handled separately from state charges.
VINELink
Sign up at vinelink.com to get notified when an inmate is released or moved. This is free.
Legal Assistance in Geneva County
Need legal help? There are resources for Geneva County residents who cannot afford a lawyer.
Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal help to low-income people. They can help with record issues and other matters. Visit legalservicesalabama.org.
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with an attorney who handles your type of case. Go to alabar.org for more information.
Expungement lets you clear some records. Alabama Code Section 41-9-625 requires agencies to expunge records when charges are dismissed or someone is acquitted. Other expungements have waiting periods. Talk to a lawyer about your situation.
Nearby Counties
Geneva County borders several other Alabama counties and the state of Florida. If you need records from a neighboring area, check these links.
Start Your Search
Use the tool below to search police records in Geneva County. Find arrest records, inmates, and criminal history.