Lauderdale County Police Records

Police records in Lauderdale County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Florence. The jail holds up to 290 people. You can search the inmate roster online for free. The sheriff runs the county jail, handles arrests, and stores booking data. This page shows you how to find arrest records, look up current inmates, and request police reports from Lauderdale County. Whether you need to post bond or check on someone in custody, we cover the steps below.

Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff is the main law enforcement agency in Lauderdale County. They run the jail. They make arrests. They also respond to calls in areas outside city limits.

You can reach them here:

• Address: 200 South Court Street, Florence, AL 35630
• Phone: (256) 760-5757
• Fax: (256) 760-5765
• Website: lauderdalesheriff.org

The office is open on weekdays. Call for exact hours. If you have an urgent matter after hours, call the main number. A dispatcher can help you.

The sheriff handles many duties. Deputies patrol roads. Investigators work felony cases. The civil division serves papers. And the jail division holds inmates awaiting trial or serving short terms.

Lauderdale County Detention Facility

The jail sits at a separate location from the main sheriff's office. It has room for 290 inmates. The facility has 12 pods with 144 holding cells. There are special areas for medical care and for inmates at risk.

Jail contact info:

• Jail Address: 653 S Seminary Street, Florence, AL 35630
• Jail Phone: (256) 760-5771

The jail books new arrests around the clock. When someone gets brought in, staff takes their photo and prints. They log the charges and set a bond if the court allows one. This data goes into the inmate system right away.

Inmates can make phone calls. They can also receive visits from family. Rules on visits change, so call the jail to check the current schedule. Some visits may be by video only.

How to Search Inmates in Lauderdale County

The sheriff posts an online roster. You can see who is in jail right now. It costs nothing to use.

Go to the sheriff website. Click the inmate roster link. You can search by name or by booking number. The system shows current inmates and recent releases.

The roster shows each inmate's:

• Full name and booking photo
• Date of birth
• Charges filed against them
• Bond amount set by the court
• Booking date and time

The roster updates often. But there can be delays. If you just learned of an arrest, wait a few hours. The booking process takes time. Then check the roster again.

Some people search for family members. Others want to check on a case. Employers sometimes look too. The roster is public. Anyone can view it.

Request Police Records in Lauderdale County

You may need a copy of an arrest record. Or an incident report. These requests go to the sheriff's office.

For incident reports, contact the records division. Tell them the date and location. Give them any case numbers you have. They will pull the report and make a copy. There is usually a fee.

Arrest records work a bit different. Current booking data is on the roster. For older records, you submit a formal request. Alabama's open records law lets residents access public documents. But you need to prove you live in the state.

To request records, you typically need to provide:

• Your full name and address
• A copy of your Alabama ID
• Details about the record you want
• Payment for any fees

Response times vary. There is no set deadline under Alabama law. Simple requests may come back in days. Complex ones take longer. Call to follow up if you have not heard back.

Background checks for employment go through ALEA, the state agency. The sheriff does not run formal background checks. They only provide local records.

Posting Bond in Lauderdale County

When someone gets arrested, a judge sets bail. The amount depends on the charge. Some bonds are set by a schedule. Others require a hearing first.

You have a few ways to post bond:

• Cash bond: Pay the full amount at the jail. You get it back when the case ends, minus any fines or fees.
• Surety bond: Use a bail bondsman. You pay them a fee, usually 10% of the bond. They guarantee the full amount.
• Property bond: Put up real estate as collateral. This takes longer and involves paperwork.

The jail accepts cash and money orders for bond. They may not take personal checks. Call ahead to confirm payment methods.

After bond posts, release can take several hours. Staff must process the paperwork. They check for other holds. Only then does the inmate get out. Plan to wait.

Lauderdale County Court Records

Police records show arrests. Court records show what happens next. These are two different things.

The Circuit Clerk keeps court files. This includes criminal cases. You can look up cases on Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. You pay more for document copies.

Lauderdale County is in the 35th Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is in Florence. District Court handles minor crimes and traffic. Circuit Court handles felonies and appeals.

If a case is pending, the court file shows hearing dates. It shows what motions have been filed. It shows the outcome if the case closed. This helps you understand where things stand.

For copies of court documents, contact the Circuit Clerk. Their office is in the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

Legal Help in Lauderdale County

Not everyone can afford a lawyer. There are options for those who need help.

The court can appoint a public defender. At the first hearing, the judge asks about income. If you qualify, you get a lawyer at no cost. This right comes from the Constitution.

Legal aid groups help with civil matters. They do not handle criminal cases, but they can assist with issues like eviction or custody. Look for Legal Services Alabama in your area.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. You call and describe your issue. They connect you with an attorney who handles that type of case. The first consultation is often low cost.

Law libraries at the courthouse are open to the public. You can research the law yourself. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to resources.

Alabama Police Records Laws

State law controls who can see police records. The main law is the Alabama Open Records Act.

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, residents have the right to inspect public records. This includes arrest records and incident reports. But only Alabama residents can make requests. You must show ID.

Some records are exempt. Active investigations may be kept private. The home address of an arrested person is not public. Juvenile records are sealed. These rules protect privacy and safety.

There is no deadline for agencies to respond. This is a weak spot in the law. Some requests take weeks. Others drag on for months. You may need to follow up often.

If denied, you can sue in circuit court. There is no other appeal process. You have two years to file after the denial.

Nearby Counties

Lauderdale County sits in the northwest corner of Alabama. These counties border it:

If someone was arrested near a county line, check both counties. The location of the arrest determines which sheriff handled it.

Cities in Lauderdale County

Florence is the county seat and largest city. It has its own police department. Other towns include Rogersville, Killen, Lexington, St. Florian, and Anderson. These smaller places may use the sheriff for law enforcement.

For crimes in Florence, contact Florence Police. For crimes outside city limits or in smaller towns, the sheriff handles the case. The inmate roster shows arrests from both.

Note that Florence (population 42,716) does not have a dedicated page on this site because it falls below our 50,000 population threshold. However, the Florence Police Department can be reached at (256) 760-6500 for local records.

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