Henry County Police Records Search
Police records in Henry County are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Abbeville. Located in southeast Alabama along the Georgia border, Henry County has about 17,000 residents. The sheriff handles all arrests, bookings, and jail operations for the county. City police departments in Abbeville and Headland take care of crimes in their respective cities. This page explains how to get arrest records, check on inmates, and request official documents. You will also learn about fees, the Alabama Open Records Act, and related court records. Henry County sits in the Wiregrass region and shares its eastern boundary with the state of Georgia. Law enforcement here cooperates with Georgia authorities on cases that cross state lines.
Henry County Quick Facts
Henry County Sheriff's Office
The Henry County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the county. They handle arrests in unincorporated areas, operate the county jail, and maintain police records. The sheriff is elected to serve a four-year term.
Here is the contact information:
- Address: 101 Court Square, Suite 6, Abbeville, AL 36310
- Phone: (334) 585-3131
- Jail: (334) 585-3131
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
The sheriff's office is at the courthouse in Abbeville. Deputies patrol the rural areas of Henry County. They also provide backup to city police when needed. The Abbeville Police Department and Headland Police Department handle crimes in their cities.
For records, contact the sheriff's office directly. They keep all booking records and can direct you to other agencies if needed.
Henry County Jail Information
The Henry County Jail is run by the sheriff. It holds people who are arrested locally and those awaiting trial. The facility is smaller than jails in urban counties.
Booking records are created for every person brought to jail. A booking record shows:
- Full name and date of birth
- Charges at the time of arrest
- Bond amount
- Booking date and time
- Mugshot photo
Need to check if someone is in jail? Call (334) 585-3131. Staff will tell you if a person is currently held. They can also give you the charges and bond amount. Calling to check is free.
Smaller counties in Alabama often do not have online jail rosters. Henry County may require you to call for inmate information. The sheriff's office is always the most current source.
The jail has visitation hours. Call ahead to get the schedule. You need ID to visit. There are rules about what visitors can wear and bring.
How to Request Police Records
Getting police records in Henry County follows the same rules as the rest of Alabama. You can request documents in person, by mail, or sometimes by phone.
Steps to get records:
- Call or visit the sheriff's office
- Tell them what record you need
- Give the date, names, and case number if you have it
- Complete any paperwork they require
- Pay the fee
- Wait for your documents
Case numbers help a lot. Without one, staff must search by name and date. That takes extra time. Provide as many details as you can to speed things up.
Criminal background checks go through ALEA, not the sheriff. The sheriff can do fingerprinting. Those prints are mailed to Montgomery for processing. ALEA charges $25 by mail or $15 online for background checks.
For crash reports, ask which agency worked the accident. State troopers file reports with ALEA. Deputies file with the sheriff. City police file with their department.
Alabama Open Records Act
Alabama law gives residents the right to see public records. This right is in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Police records are generally covered.
Key things to know:
- Only Alabama residents can make requests
- Bring ID like a driver's license
- Agencies charge for copies
- There is no deadline for responses
- Some information is blacked out for privacy
Section 36-12-41 requires agencies to provide copies when you pay. This is the law.
Not everything is public. Juvenile records are sealed. Social Security numbers and home addresses are redacted. Open investigations may be withheld. Safety concerns can limit what is released.
If your request is denied, ask for the legal basis. The agency should cite a specific exemption. You can sue in circuit court if you believe the denial was wrong.
Henry County Records Fees
Expect fees when requesting copies. These fees cover staff time and materials.
Typical fee ranges:
- 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
Small counties usually take cash or money orders. Call ahead to ask about payment options. Not all offices accept credit cards.
Checking on an inmate by phone is free. Written records or certified copies have fees.
Henry County Court Records
Court records come from the court system, not the sheriff. The Circuit Clerk keeps case files for criminal and civil matters. Henry County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Houston County.
Circuit Clerk information:
- Address: Henry County Courthouse, 101 Court Square, Abbeville, AL 36310
- Phone: (334) 585-3223
Use Alacourt Access to search court cases online. A name search costs $9.99. You can see charges, case status, and how the case ended.
District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters. The District Clerk has those records. Municipal courts in Abbeville and Headland handle city ordinance cases.
State and Federal Resources
Some records are kept by state agencies. These resources cover Henry County residents.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
ALEA maintains the statewide criminal history database. Request background checks at the ALEA portal or call 1-866-740-4762.
Alabama Department of Corrections
State prison inmates can be searched at doc.alabama.gov. County jail inmates are not in this system.
Sex Offender Registry
Search for registered offenders in Henry County at community.alea.gov. The search is free.
Federal Courts
Henry County is in the Middle District of Alabama. Federal cases are searched through PACER at pacer.gov.
VINELink
Register at vinelink.com to get alerts when an inmate is released or transferred. This service is free.
Legal Help in Henry County
These resources provide legal assistance to Henry County residents.
Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more details.
The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at alabar.org. They can connect you with an attorney.
Expungement may be possible for some records. Under Alabama Code Section 41-9-625, agencies must expunge records when charges are dropped or someone is acquitted. Other expungements have waiting periods. Talk to a lawyer about your situation.
Nearby Counties
Henry County shares borders with other Alabama counties and Georgia. If you need records from a neighboring county, use these links.
Start Your Search
Use the tool below to search police records in Henry County. Find arrests, inmates, and criminal history.