Lamar County Alabama Police Records
Police records for Lamar County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Vernon, the county seat. Sitting in northwest Alabama along the Mississippi state line, Lamar County has about 13,500 residents. The sheriff handles arrests, runs the jail, and maintains all booking records. There is no large city in the county, so the sheriff serves as the main law enforcement agency for almost everyone. This guide covers how to access arrest records, check on inmates, and request official police documents. You will learn about fees, the Alabama Open Records Act, and where to get court records. Lamar County works with Mississippi authorities on cases that cross the state line, making record searches sometimes more complex for incidents near the border.
Lamar County Quick Facts
Lamar County Sheriff's Office
The Lamar County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They make arrests, run the jail, and keep police records. The sheriff is elected by voters and serves four years.
Contact information:
- Address: 330 1st Street NW, Vernon, AL 35592
- Phone: (205) 695-7103
- Jail: (205) 695-7103
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
The sheriff's office is located in Vernon, which sits near the middle of the county. Deputies patrol the rural areas. Small towns in the county may have limited police services, so the sheriff picks up much of the workload.
Records requests go through the main office. There is no separate records division in small counties. Staff handle document requests along with their other duties.
Lamar County Jail and Inmates
The Lamar County Jail holds people arrested in the county. It also houses inmates waiting for their day in court. The sheriff runs the jail.
Every arrest creates a booking record. That record shows:
- Full name and birthdate
- Criminal charges
- Bond amount if bail is set
- Date and time of booking
- Booking photo
Want to know if someone is in jail? Call (205) 695-7103. The staff can tell you if a person is in custody. They also give out charge and bond information. Phone checks are free.
Many smaller Alabama counties do not post inmate rosters online. Lamar County is one of them. You have to call for current information. The sheriff's office is the official source.
Visitation hours are set by the jail. Call ahead to learn the schedule. Bring valid ID to visit. The jail has rules about what you can bring in and how to dress.
How to Get Police Records
Getting police records in Lamar County follows Alabama law. You can ask for records in person, by mail, or by phone for simple questions.
Here is how to make a request:
- Contact the sheriff's office at (205) 695-7103
- Say what record you want
- Give details like names, dates, or case numbers
- Fill out forms if needed
- Pay the copy fee
- Wait for processing
Having a case number speeds things up. Without one, staff search by name and date. That takes longer. Give as much detail as you can.
For full background checks, go through ALEA. The sheriff can take your fingerprints. Those prints go to Montgomery for processing. ALEA charges $25 by mail or $15 online.
Crash reports come from whoever worked the accident. State troopers file with ALEA. Deputies file with the sheriff. Ask which agency handled your crash.
Alabama Open Records Act
Alabama law gives residents the right to see public records. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 lays out this right. Most police records fall under the law.
What to know:
- Only Alabama residents can request records
- Show ID like a driver's license
- Agencies charge for copies
- No deadline for agencies to respond
- Some information is redacted for privacy
Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must give you copies after you pay the fee.
Some records stay private. Juvenile records are sealed. Home addresses and Social Security numbers get removed. Active investigations may be held back. Safety issues can limit what is released.
If denied, ask why. The agency should cite a legal reason. You can sue in circuit court if the denial seems wrong.
Lamar County Records Fees
Fees apply when you get copies. These cover staff time and supplies.
Common fee ranges:
- Copies: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Incident reports: $10 to $25
- Accident reports: $10 to $20
- Certified copies: Extra fee
Small county offices often take cash or money orders only. Call ahead to check payment options. Credit cards may not be accepted.
Phone inquiries about jail are free. Written records have fees.
Lamar County Court Records
Court records are not police records. The Circuit Clerk keeps court files. Lamar County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit along with Fayette and Pickens counties.
Circuit Clerk contact:
- Address: Lamar County Courthouse, 330 1st Street NW, Vernon, AL 35592
- Phone: (205) 695-9119
Search court cases online at Alacourt Access. Name searches cost $9.99. You can view charges, case progress, and final outcomes.
District Court handles traffic cases and misdemeanors. The District Clerk has those records.
State and Federal Resources
State agencies hold records on Lamar County residents. Here are the main resources.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
ALEA keeps the statewide criminal database. Request checks at the ALEA portal or call 1-866-740-4762.
Alabama Department of Corrections
State prison inmates are at doc.alabama.gov. County jail inmates are not in this system.
Sex Offender Registry
Look up offenders at community.alea.gov. Free to search.
VINELink
Sign up for release alerts at vinelink.com. This is free.
Legal Help in Lamar County
Need legal help? These resources serve Lamar County.
Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to those who qualify. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for details.
The Alabama State Bar referral service is at alabar.org. They connect people with lawyers.
Some records can be expunged. Under Alabama Code Section 41-9-625, agencies must expunge records when charges are dismissed or someone is found not guilty. Other cases may qualify after waiting periods. Ask a lawyer about your options.
Nearby Counties
Lamar County borders several Alabama counties and the state of Mississippi. For records from nearby areas, use these links.
Search Lamar County Records
Use the tool below to search police records in Lamar County. Find arrests, inmates, and criminal history.