Search Limestone County Police Records

Police records from Limestone County come from the Sheriff's Office based in Athens. The jail can hold 225 inmates at a time. Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin runs the department. You can find current inmates through an online search tool at no cost. This guide walks you through how to look up jail rosters, get arrest records, and understand the records process in Limestone County. The county sits just west of Huntsville and has seen fast growth in recent years.

Limestone County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff serves as the top law enforcement officer in the county. They arrest people. They run the jail. And they keep records on bookings and releases.

Contact the sheriff here:

• Address: 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611
• Phone: (256) 232-0111
• Website: limestonecounty-al.gov

Office hours are weekdays during normal business hours. The jail and dispatch run around the clock. For emergencies, always call 911.

Deputies patrol the areas outside city limits. They also back up local police when needed. The investigations unit handles serious crimes like drug cases and thefts. Civil deputies serve court papers.

Limestone County Jail

The county jail is in Athens. It has space for 225 inmates. This includes cells for men and women. The facility holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences.

The jail books new arrests at all hours. When someone comes in, staff takes photos and prints. They record the charges. They enter bond info if the judge has set one. This goes into the computer system.

Inmates have access to phones. They can receive visits. Some visits are in person. Others use video. Call the jail to learn the current rules. Schedules can change.

The jail does not accept cash for commissary. Inmates buy items through a fund system. Family can add money to an inmate's account online. Check the sheriff site for the approved vendor.

Search Limestone County Inmates Online

You can search the jail roster from home. The sheriff posts current inmates on their website. This search is free.

Go to the sheriff's site. Find the inmate lookup link. Enter a name. The system shows who is in custody right now. It may also show recent releases.

Each record includes:

• Name and mugshot
• Date booked
• Charges listed
• Bond amount
• Release date if out

New bookings may not show up right away. It takes time to process someone into the jail. Wait a few hours after an arrest before checking. Then try the search again.

The roster is public. Anyone can use it. Some people check on family. Others verify a person's status. Employers look too. The data is updated often but not in real time.

Request Police Records from Limestone County

Need a copy of an arrest record? Or an incident report? You make that request to the sheriff.

First, gather the details. Know the date. Know the location. Have any case numbers ready. The more info you give, the faster they can find your record.

Then contact the records office. You can call or visit in person. Ask about their request form. Some agencies require a written request. Others handle it over the counter.

Alabama law says only state residents can access public records. Bring your ID. It should show an Alabama address. Out of state requests may be denied.

What you need for a records request:

• Your full name and contact info
• Valid Alabama ID
• Details on the record you seek
• Payment for any copy fees

Fees vary. Copies cost money per page. Reports may have a flat fee. Ask upfront what the cost will be. The agency will tell you before they start work.

Alabama has no deadline for agencies to respond. Some are fast. Others are slow. Follow up if you hear nothing after a week or two.

How to Post Bond in Limestone County

After an arrest, a judge sets bail. The bail amount depends on the charge. The person's history matters too. Some cases use a standard bond schedule. Others need a hearing.

Ways to post bond:

• Cash: Pay the whole amount. You get it back after the case ends, minus fines.
• Bondsman: Pay a fee, often 10%. The bondsman covers the rest. You do not get the fee back.
• Property: Use land or a house. This takes longer to process.

The jail takes cash and money orders for bond. Credit cards may not work. Call ahead to check. Bring exact payment if you can.

After bond is paid, release is not instant. Staff must clear the paperwork. They check for other warrants. They process the release. This can take a few hours. Plan to wait.

Limestone County Court Records

Police records and court records are not the same. Police handle arrests. Courts handle trials and sentencing.

Limestone County is in the 39th Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is in Athens. District Court covers minor crimes and traffic. Circuit Court covers felonies.

You can search court cases online. Go to pa.alacourt.com. A name search is $9.99. You can view case info, hearing dates, and outcomes. Document images cost extra.

For paper copies, visit the Circuit Clerk in Athens. Tell them what case you need. They pull the file. They make copies. You pay the fee.

Court records show if charges led to a conviction. They show fines, probation, and jail time. This is different from arrest data, which just shows someone was booked.

Legal Resources in Limestone County

If you cannot afford a lawyer, help is out there. The courts provide options for low income people.

At the first court hearing, the judge asks about money. If you qualify, they appoint a public defender. This lawyer will handle your case at no charge. It is your right.

For civil matters, look into legal aid. These groups help with housing, family, and benefits issues. They do not take criminal cases. Contact Legal Services Alabama to see if you qualify.

The state bar runs a referral service. You describe your issue. They match you with a lawyer. The first meeting is often cheap or free. It helps you learn your options.

The courthouse has a law library. It is open to the public. You can research statutes and look up forms. Staff will not give legal advice, but they can help you find materials.

Alabama Records Laws

State law sets the rules on who can see police records. The main law is the Open Records Act.

Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to inspect public records. This covers arrest logs and incident reports. But you must prove you live in Alabama. Show your ID when you ask.

Not all records are public. Active cases can be kept private. Home addresses of arrested people are not shared. Juvenile records are sealed. These rules aim to balance access and privacy.

Agencies can take their time. The law sets no deadline. Some requests finish fast. Others drag on. You may need to call or email to push things along.

If you get denied, your option is to sue. You file in circuit court. There is no other appeal. You have two years from the denial to bring the case.

Nearby Counties

Limestone County is in north Alabama. These counties are next to it:

Check the county where the arrest happened. If it was near a border, you may need to search more than one county's records.

Cities in Limestone County

Athens is the largest city and county seat. It has its own police department for crimes in city limits. Other towns include Ardmore, Elkmont, and Mooresville. Smaller places often rely on the sheriff for law enforcement.

Parts of Huntsville extend into Limestone County. If a crime happened in the Huntsville section, Huntsville Police may have handled it. Check with the agency that responded to your call.

For qualifying cities with dedicated pages on this site:

Note that Athens (population 28,000) is below our 50,000 threshold and does not have a dedicated page. Contact Athens Police at (256) 233-8700 for local records.

Start Your Search

Use the tool below to search Limestone County police records. Find arrest info, inmate data, and more.