Access Lawrence County Police Records
Police records in Lawrence County are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Moulton. Located in north Alabama, Lawrence County has about 33,000 residents and borders the Tennessee River along its northern edge. The sheriff handles all arrests, jail operations, and record keeping for the county. City police departments in Moulton, Town Creek, and Courtland handle crimes in their areas. This guide shows you how to find arrest records, check on inmates, and request official documents from Lawrence County. You will learn about fees, the Alabama Open Records Act, and how to get court records. The county is part of the busy north Alabama region but has a more rural character than its neighbors in Madison and Morgan counties.
Lawrence County Quick Facts
Lawrence County Sheriff's Office
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county. They patrol rural areas, make arrests, run the jail, and keep police records. The sheriff is elected and serves a four-year term.
Contact information:
- Address: 12596 AL Highway 157, Moulton, AL 35650
- Phone: (256) 974-9291
- Jail: (256) 974-9291
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
The sheriff's office moved to a new location on Highway 157. This building houses both the main office and the jail. Deputies cover the entire county. They work with town police and state troopers on larger cases.
Records requests go to the main office. Ask for the records division or tell them you need a copy of a report. They can help you figure out what you need.
Lawrence County Jail Information
The Lawrence County Jail is run by the sheriff. It holds people arrested in the county and those waiting for court dates. The jail is attached to the sheriff's office building.
A booking record is created for every arrest. These records contain:
- Full name and date of birth
- Charges filed
- Bond amount
- Booking date and time
- Mugshot photograph
To find out if someone is in jail, call (256) 974-9291. Staff can confirm if a person is held. They can tell you charges and bond amounts. Calling is free.
Lawrence County may have an online inmate roster. Check the sheriff's office website or call to ask. Some counties post this information online now.
The jail has set visitation hours. Call to learn the schedule. Bring ID when you visit. There are rules about what you can wear and bring.
How to Get Police Records in Lawrence County
Requesting police records in Lawrence County follows Alabama law. You can make requests in person, by mail, or sometimes by phone.
Steps to request records:
- Call or visit the sheriff's office
- Tell them what record you need
- Provide names, dates, and case numbers if you have them
- Complete any required forms
- Pay the fee
- Wait for processing
Case numbers make searches faster. Without one, staff search by name and date. That takes more time. Give as many details as you can.
For criminal background checks, use ALEA. The sheriff can take fingerprints. Those go to Montgomery for processing. ALEA charges $25 by mail or $15 online.
Crash reports depend on who worked the accident. State troopers file with ALEA. Deputies file with the sheriff. City police file with their department. Ask which agency responded.
Alabama Open Records Act
Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 sets out this right. Police records are generally covered.
Key points:
- Only Alabama residents can make requests
- Bring ID such as a driver's license
- Agencies charge for copies
- There is no response deadline
- Some information gets redacted for privacy
Section 36-12-41 requires agencies to provide copies when you pay the fee.
Not all records are public. Juvenile information is sealed. Addresses and Social Security numbers are removed. Open investigation files may be held back. Safety concerns can limit what is released.
If denied, ask for the legal reason. You can sue in circuit court if the denial seems improper.
Lawrence County Records Fees
Expect to pay fees for copies. Fees cover staff time and supplies.
Typical fees:
- 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
Payment is usually by cash or money order. Some offices accept cards now. Call ahead to ask about payment options.
Phone inquiries about inmates are free. Written records and certified copies have fees.
Lawrence County Court Records
Court records come from the court system, not the sheriff. The Circuit Clerk keeps case files for criminal and civil matters. Lawrence County is in the 39th Judicial Circuit by itself.
Circuit Clerk contact:
- Address: Lawrence County Courthouse, 14451 Market Street, Moulton, AL 35650
- Phone: (256) 974-2463
Search court cases online at Alacourt Access. A name search costs $9.99. You can see charges, case status, and how cases ended.
District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic cases. Contact the District Clerk for those records. Municipal courts in Moulton and other towns handle local ordinance violations.
State and Federal Resources
State agencies keep records on Lawrence County residents. Here are the main ones.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
ALEA runs the state criminal database. Use the ALEA portal for background checks or call 1-866-740-4762.
Alabama Department of Corrections
State prison inmates can be searched at doc.alabama.gov. This does not include county jail inmates.
Sex Offender Registry
Look up offenders living in Lawrence County at community.alea.gov. This search is free.
Federal Courts
Lawrence County is in the Northern District of Alabama. Federal cases are searched through PACER at pacer.gov.
VINELink
Get notified when an inmate is released. Register at vinelink.com for free alerts.
Legal Help in Lawrence County
Need legal assistance? These resources serve Lawrence County.
Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to qualifying residents. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more information.
The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at alabar.org. They can connect you with an attorney.
Expungement may be available for some records. Alabama Code Section 41-9-625 requires agencies to clear records when charges are dropped or someone is found not guilty. Other records may qualify after waiting periods. Talk to a lawyer about your case.
Nearby Counties
Lawrence County borders several other Alabama counties. If you need records from nearby, use these links.
Start Your Search
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