Search Jackson County Police Records

Police records in Jackson County are kept by the sheriff's department in Scottsboro. The county covers the northeast corner of Alabama along the Tennessee River and the Tennessee state line. You can look up current inmates online through the sheriff's website. The jail holds about 155 people on an average day with a capacity of 212. Arrest records, mugshots, and bond details are all available. The department also handles requests for incident reports and background information. This page covers how to access these records.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff's office handles all law enforcement for unincorporated Jackson County. They run the county jail and serve warrants. The main office is in Scottsboro near the courthouse.

This is where you go for records requests. Staff can help with inmate lookups and copies of reports. The jail is at a separate address on Parks Avenue.

Sheriff's Office:

• Address: 102 East Laurel Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768
• Phone: (256) 574-2610

County Jail:

• Address: 545 Parks Avenue, Scottsboro, AL 35768
• Phone: (256) 574-1884 ext. 824 or 823

The jail phone line is good for bond information. Call to ask about visit times or to check if someone is in custody. Staff can give you basic booking info over the phone.

For in-person requests, go to the main office on East Laurel Street. Bring your ID. Alabama law requires you to prove residency for most record requests.

Jackson County Inmate Roster Search

You can search inmates online for free. The sheriff posts a roster at jacksoncountysheriffal.org/inmate-roster. This shows who is in the jail right now.

The roster also shows inmates released within 48 hours. This helps if someone got out recently and you missed them on the current list.

Each entry shows:

• Inmate name and photo
• Date they were booked
• Charges filed against them
• Bond amount if set
• Housing location in the jail

The site updates regularly. Check back often if you do not see who you are looking for. The jail averages 155 inmates daily but can hold up to 212. Turnover happens fast.

No account is needed. Just go to the website and browse. You can search by name or scroll through the list.

For older records beyond 48 hours, contact the jail by phone. They can search their system for past bookings. There may be a small fee for printed records.

Types of Jackson County Police Records

The sheriff's office keeps many types of records. Here is what you might need to access.

Booking records are made at arrest. They list the person's name, date of birth, charges, and bond. A mugshot is taken. These are public for adults.

Incident reports describe what happened during a crime or call. An officer writes up the facts. The report has witness names, evidence notes, and the action taken. You can request copies from the records division.

Arrest warrants are court orders. They allow police to take someone into custody. Before a warrant is served, it may not be public. After arrest, the underlying complaint becomes a public record.

Crash reports for county roads come from the sheriff. Highway crashes are handled by ALEA state troopers. You can get ALEA reports online for $17 at their portal.

Criminal history checks go through ALEA at the state level. The sheriff does not run statewide background checks. ALEA charges $25 by mail or $15 online for these.

Some records are sealed. Juvenile cases stay closed. Active investigation files may be withheld. Personal details like home address and Social Security number are redacted from public copies.

How to Request Jackson County Police Records

You have three ways to get records. In person, by mail, or by phone for simple inquiries.

In person: Go to 102 East Laurel Street in Scottsboro. Bring your Alabama driver's license or voter card. Tell staff what record you need. They can often pull it right away. Pay any fees on the spot.

By mail: Write a letter to the sheriff's office. State exactly what record you want. Include dates and names if you have them. Attach a copy of your Alabama ID. Send to: Jackson County Sheriff's Office, 102 East Laurel Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768.

By phone: Call (256) 574-2610 for general info. Staff can tell you if a record exists. They can confirm someone is in jail. For copies, they will ask you to come in or send a written request.

Tips for faster service:

• Be specific about what you need
• Provide case numbers if you know them
• Include date ranges for searches
• Attach ID with every mail request
• Pay fees by money order or check

Alabama law under Section 36-12-40 gives residents the right to access public records. You must prove you live in Alabama. Out-of-state requests may be denied.

Jackson County Police Record Fees

Costs vary by record type. Here is a rundown of what to expect.

The online inmate roster is free. No charge to search. This is the best option for basic jail info.

Copies of reports cost money. Expect $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. The exact fee depends on the document.

For background checks, ALEA charges $25 by mail. Online it is $15. The sheriff does not set these fees since background checks go through the state.

Crash reports from ALEA are $17 online. Reports from the sheriff may have a different fee. Ask when you call.

Payment is usually by money order, check, or cash. Credit cards may not be accepted. Call ahead to confirm what they take.

There is no search fee just to look. You only pay when you get copies. Keep that in mind when planning your request.

Alabama Open Records Law

Your right to police records in Jackson County comes from state law. The Open Records Act governs access.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 says residents can inspect public records. This includes arrest logs, incident reports, and booking data. The law is broad but has limits.

Only Alabama residents can request records. You need proof like a driver's license. If you live out of state, you may be turned away.

Section 36-12-41 requires agencies to provide copies for a reasonable fee. They cannot deny a request just to be difficult. The fee must be fair.

Some information is exempt. These include:

• Arrestee home address
• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Juvenile names and records
• Active investigation notes
• Security plans

If your request is denied, you can sue in circuit court. There is no state appeals board. You have two years from the denial to file suit.

Alabama law does not set a response deadline. Agencies can take weeks. There is no penalty for slow replies. This is a known gap in the law.

Jackson County Court Records

Court records are separate from police records. They are kept by the Circuit Clerk. The clerk's office is at the Jackson County Courthouse in Scottsboro.

Jackson County is in the 38th Judicial Circuit. Circuit Court handles felonies. District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims.

You can search court records online at pa.alacourt.com. A name search is $9.99 and includes one case. Additional cases cost extra. Document images have separate fees.

For certified copies, visit the clerk in person. Bring your ID. Fees are higher for certified documents than for plain copies.

Court files show the full history of a case. This includes charges, pleas, hearings, and sentences. They are public for most adult criminal matters.

State Level Resources

Some records go beyond the county. Use these state resources for broader searches.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains statewide records. ALEA is at 301 S. Ripley Street in Montgomery. Call 1-866-740-4762 for help. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

The Alabama Department of Corrections has a search tool for state prison inmates. This does not include county jail inmates. Use it for people serving time in state facilities.

The Alabama Sex Offender Registry is free. Search for registered offenders by name or location. It shows photos, addresses, and offense details.

VINELink at vinelink.com provides victim alerts. Register to get notice when an inmate is released or moved. This is a free service.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County borders several other counties in northeast Alabama. Click below for police records in those areas.

Search Jackson County Records Now

Use the search tool below to find arrest records, inmate rosters, and criminal history in Jackson County, Alabama.