Houston County Police Records Search

Police records in Houston County are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Dothan. They run a free online inmate search. You can look up who is in jail right now. See their mugshots. Check their charges and bond amounts. Dothan is the county seat and the largest city in the Wiregrass region. This guide covers how to find arrest records, search inmates, and request copies of police reports in Houston County, Alabama.

Houston County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Donald Valenza runs the office. They handle law enforcement in the county. The jail falls under their control too.

Contact details:

• Address: 411 N Foster Street, Dothan, AL 36303
• Phone: 334-677-4882 or 334-677-4808
• Jail Address: 901 East Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301
• Jail Phone: 334-712-0762
• Website: houstoncosoal.gov

The sheriff office and jail are at different spots. The admin office is on Foster Street downtown. The jail is on East Main Street. Know which one you need before you drive.

For records, call the main number first. They will tell you what to do. Some records need a written request. Others you can pick up in person.

Houston County Jail Inmate Listing

The sheriff posts an inmate list online. Go to houstoncosoal.gov/inmate-listing to search. Type a name or use the booking number if you have it.

Each profile shows key info:

• Name of the person
• Mugshot photo
• Charges filed
• Bond amount set
• Booking date and time

The list updates often. It shows current inmates only. People who bonded out will not appear. Neither will those sent to prison.

This search is free. No account needed. Works on any device. Just open the page and start looking.

The jail holds about 400 inmates. It is a medium security facility. They house county arrests and some city prisoners too.

Getting Police Records

You can request records a few ways. In person is often fastest. By mail takes longer.

Start by calling. Explain what you need. The records clerk will tell you the steps. Have the case number if you can. A date works too.

Common requests:

• Arrest records from the jail
• Incident reports for crimes
• Accident reports from the sheriff
• Warrant information

Alabama law lets residents see public records. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 is the rule. Bring ID to prove you live in Alabama. This is key.

Some records stay private. Open cases might be held. Juvenile names are never given. Victim info may be blacked out.

If you were the victim, bring ID and the case number. You have a right to your own report. Insurance often needs this for claims.

Houston County Jail Details

The jail sits on East Main Street in Dothan. It holds people who await trial. Short sentences are served here. Long ones go to state prison after sentencing.

Capacity is 400 inmates. Daily counts vary. Medium security level. Staff run it 24 hours a day.

Jail services:

• Intake and booking
• Inmate housing by risk level
• Visitation programs
• Medical care on site
• Commissary for purchases

Visiting an inmate? Check the rules first. Hours and methods change. Video visits may be the main option now. Call the jail to confirm.

To put money on an inmate's account, use the approved system. This lets them buy things from commissary. Food, stamps, and toiletries are common items.

Houston County Circuit Clerk

Court records are separate from police records. The Circuit Clerk keeps court files. Filings, judgments, and case outcomes are there.

Circuit Clerk contact:

• Address: 114 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
• Phone: 334-677-4800

For criminal case outcomes, go here. Want to know if someone was convicted? The clerk has it. Need proof of sentencing? Same place.

You can also search online. Alacourt Access covers Alabama courts. A name search costs $9.99. You pay more for documents.

Houston County is in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is in downtown Dothan.

Record Fees

Online inmate searches are free. Paper copies cost money. Here is a rough guide.

Copies from the sheriff run about $0.50 to $1.50 per page. A full report could be 10 pages or more. Ask for the total before you pay.

Accident reports typically cost $10 to $25. This varies by agency. ALEA handles highway crashes for $17 online. Local ones cost less sometimes.

Background checks go through ALEA. Not the sheriff. State checks cost $25 by mail or $15 online. The sheriff cannot run these for you.

Court records at the clerk have fees too. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call ahead to ask the current rates.

Payment rules vary. Some offices take cash only. Others want money orders. A few accept cards. Call to check before you go.

Dothan Police Records

Dothan is the big city in Houston County. Over 70,000 people live there. They have their own police department.

For crimes in Dothan city limits, contact Dothan Police. They keep their own records. The sheriff handles areas outside the city.

Not sure who responded? Think about the address. City streets go to city police. Rural roads go to the sheriff. You can call either and ask.

Dothan PD handles thousands of calls each year. Their records division is busy. Allow time for requests to process.

Alabama Laws on Records

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

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives the basic right. Alabama residents can see public records. Police reports are usually public.

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

Expungement can clear records. If charges are dropped, apply to erase them. If you won at trial, same deal. Alabama Code Section 41-9-625 sets the rules. Records must be removed within 30 days.

Juvenile records stay sealed. Under 18? The file is closed. Alabama Code Section 12-15-133 protects minors.

All arrests get reported to ALEA. The state database holds everything. Even if the county site does not show it, ALEA might have it.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County has Dothan and several smaller towns. Dothan is by far the largest.

Dothan has its own police force. For city incidents, go to them. Their records are separate from the sheriff.

Smaller places include Ashford, Cottonwood, and Columbia. Some have small police forces. Others rely on the sheriff. Call to find out who handles records for that area.

Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker) is in this region too. Military police handle incidents on base. Off base calls go to local agencies.

Nearby Counties

Houston County is in southeast Alabama. The Florida border is not far. These counties are close.

Dale County has Ozark and Fort Novosel. Geneva County touches Florida. Henry County is to the east. Coffee County is north.

Records stay in the county where the incident happened. If it was in Dale, go to Dale. Houston County will not have it.

Search Houston County Records

Use the tool below to search police and arrest records.