Find Hale County Police Records
Police records for Hale County are held by the Sheriff's Office in Greensboro. The county has about 13,000 residents in west-central Alabama, part of the Black Belt region. All arrest records, jail bookings, and incident reports go through the sheriff's office. They handle law enforcement for the unincorporated parts of the county. City police in Greensboro and Moundville manage crimes within their town limits. This page shows you how to request records, what the fees are, and where to find court documents. You will also learn about the Alabama Open Records Act and your rights under state law. Whether you need to check on an inmate or get a copy of an incident report, this guide covers the process.
Hale County Quick Facts
Hale County Sheriff's Office
The Hale County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They patrol rural areas, run the jail, and keep all booking records. The sheriff is elected and serves a four-year term.
Contact information:
- Address: 1001 Main Street, Greensboro, AL 36744
- Phone: (334) 624-3081
- Jail: (334) 624-3081
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
The sheriff's office is located in Greensboro, which is the county seat. Deputies respond to calls throughout the county. For crimes that happen in incorporated towns, the local police department handles the initial response.
Records requests go to the sheriff's office. They do not have a separate records division. Staff at the main office handle document requests when they come in.
Hale County Jail and Inmates
The Hale County Jail holds people arrested in the county. It also houses inmates waiting for trial in Circuit or District Court. The jail is operated by the sheriff.
Every person booked into jail gets a record. That record contains:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Criminal charges
- Bond amount set by the court
- Date and time of booking
- Booking photograph
To find out if someone is in jail, call (334) 624-3081. Staff can check the roster and confirm custody status. They will tell you the charges and bond amount. Phone inquiries are free.
Many smaller Alabama counties do not post inmate rosters online. Hale County is one of them. You need to call to get current information. Third-party sites may have outdated data.
Visitation has set hours. Call the jail to find out when you can visit. You must bring valid ID. There are dress codes and rules about what you can bring in.
How to Get Police Records
Getting police records in Hale County follows Alabama law. You can request records in person, by mail, or by phone for simple questions.
Here is how to request records:
- Contact the sheriff's office at (334) 624-3081
- Explain what record you need
- Give details like names, dates, or case numbers
- Fill out a request form if they have one
- Pay the copy fee
- Wait for processing
A case number makes the search much faster. If you do not have it, give as much detail as possible. The date of the incident and full names of people involved are most helpful.
For full criminal background checks, you must use ALEA. The sheriff can take fingerprints. Those are sent to the state for processing. ALEA charges $25 by mail or $15 online.
Crash reports depend on who responded. If a state trooper worked the accident, contact ALEA. If a deputy or local officer responded, contact that agency.
Alabama Open Records Act
Alabama residents have the right to see public records. This comes from Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Most police records fall under this law.
Important points about the law:
- Only Alabama residents can request records
- You must show proof of residency like a driver's license
- Agencies can charge fees for copies
- No deadline exists for agencies to respond
- Some information is redacted for privacy
Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies when you pay the fee. That is required by law.
Some records are not public. Juvenile records are sealed. Addresses and Social Security numbers are removed. Active investigation files may be withheld. Anything that could endanger someone might be redacted.
If denied, ask for the legal reason. You can sue in circuit court if you believe the denial was improper.
Hale County Records Fees
You will pay fees for copies of police records. Fees cover staff time and materials.
Typical fees in Alabama:
- Copies: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Incident reports: $10 to $25
- Accident reports: $10 to $20
- Certified copies: Extra charge
Small county offices usually prefer cash or money orders. Call ahead to ask about payment methods. Credit cards are not always accepted.
Phone inquiries about inmates are free. Written records have fees.
Hale County Court Records
Court records are kept separately from police records. The Circuit Clerk maintains case files. Hale County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit along with Bibb, Dallas, Perry, and Wilcox counties.
Circuit Clerk contact:
- Address: Hale County Courthouse, 1001 Main Street, Greensboro, AL 36744
- Phone: (334) 624-4257
Search court cases at Alacourt Access. Name searches cost $9.99. You can view charges, case progress, and outcomes online.
District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic tickets. Contact the District Clerk for those records.
State and Federal Resources
State agencies hold records that cover Hale County residents.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
ALEA runs the state criminal database. Request background checks through their online portal or call 1-866-740-4762.
Alabama Department of Corrections
Search state prison inmates at doc.alabama.gov. This does not include county jail inmates.
Sex Offender Registry
Look up offenders living in Hale County at community.alea.gov. Free to search.
VINELink
Sign up for inmate status alerts at vinelink.com. You get notified when someone is released.
Legal Assistance in Hale County
Need a lawyer or legal help? These resources serve Hale County residents.
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to those who qualify. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more information.
The Alabama State Bar referral service is at alabar.org. They can connect you with local attorneys.
Record expungement is possible in some cases. Alabama Code Section 41-9-625 requires agencies to expunge records when charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted. Talk to a lawyer about whether your record qualifies.
Nearby Counties
Hale County shares borders with several other counties. If you need records from a neighboring area, check these links.
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