Search Macon County Police Records
Police records from Macon County are available through the Sheriff's Office in Tuskegee. The county is home to Tuskegee University and has a rich history. When you need arrest records, incident reports, or jail information, the sheriff is your first stop. Macon County belongs to the 5th Judicial Circuit along with several neighboring counties. The circuit clerk keeps court records separate from police files. This guide covers how to find both types of records. We explain where to go, what it costs, and how long it takes. Most people can get basic police records within a few business days. More detailed searches may take longer depending on what you need.
Macon County Quick Facts
Macon County Sheriff's Office
The Macon County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the unincorporated parts of the county. They also assist city police when needed. The office handles patrol, investigations, and court security. They run the county jail too.
If you want to check on an inmate or get an arrest record, contact the sheriff's office. They keep records of all arrests made by county deputies. For arrests made by city police in Tuskegee, you may need to contact that department directly.
Contact Information
| Address | 101 E Rosa Parks Ave, Tuskegee, AL 36083 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 727-2500 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Emergency | 911 |
The sheriff's office is in the county complex in downtown Tuskegee. Parking is available. The front desk handles walk-in requests during business hours. For after-hours emergencies, call 911 or the dispatch number.
Records Available
Macon County keeps these police record types:
- Arrest logs with booking photos and charges
- Incident reports from deputy responses
- Traffic accident reports from county roads
- Current inmate roster and bond information
- Warrant status checks
Not everything is public. Active case files stay sealed during investigation. Juvenile records require a court order. Personal information like Social Security numbers gets blacked out.
Macon County Jail
The Macon County Jail is operated by the sheriff's office. It holds people awaiting trial and those serving sentences of less than one year. The facility is small but serves the needs of this rural county.
To find out if someone is in custody, call the jail. Give them the person's name and date of birth. They can confirm if the person is there and what the charges are. They will also tell you the bond amount if one has been set by the judge.
Inmate Search
Macon County does not have a public online inmate roster. You have to call or visit to get current inmate information. This is typical for smaller Alabama counties. Larger counties like Montgomery and Jefferson have online searches, but rural areas often do not.
For statewide searches, VINELink covers Alabama. You can search for inmates across the state and sign up for custody alerts. Visit vinelink.com and choose Alabama. This service is free and run by the state.
Visitation Rules
Visits at the jail follow a set schedule. You must bring valid photo ID. There are dress code rules. No short shorts, tank tops, or revealing clothes. Cell phones and bags may not be allowed inside. Call ahead to confirm visiting hours since they can change.
Video visitation is becoming more common. Some facilities let you visit by video from home. Check with the jail to see what options they offer now. Video visits usually have to be scheduled in advance.
How to Request Police Records
Getting police records in Macon County involves a few steps. The exact process depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Walk-In Requests
Going in person is often the quickest way. Visit the sheriff's office during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell the clerk what record you need. For simple requests, they may print it while you wait. You pay the fee and leave with your document.
Mail and Written Requests
For detailed requests or if you cannot visit, write a letter. Be specific about what you want. Include names, dates, and any case numbers you have. Sign the letter and include your contact information. Mail it to the sheriff's office address.
Your request should have:
- Your name, address, and phone number
- Clear description of the records you want
- Names of people involved
- Date or date range of the incident
- Case or report number if you know it
- Purpose of your request (optional but can help)
Online Resources
While Macon County has limited online access, state systems can help. ALEA offers online background checks for $15. Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com has court records. These state systems cover cases from all 67 Alabama counties.
Alabama Open Records Act
Your right to request police records comes from state law. The Alabama Open Records Act is in Sections 36-12-40 through 36-12-46 of the Alabama Code. This law says citizens can inspect and copy public records.
Most police records are public under this law. Arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records can be requested. Some things are exempt. Ongoing investigations can be kept secret until they are done. Juvenile records are protected. Information that could put someone in danger can be withheld.
There is a residency rule in Alabama. Only Alabama residents can make open records requests. You have to show ID proving you live here. This is different from the federal FOIA which does not have a residency requirement.
Alabama law has no deadline for responses. Agencies do not have to answer within a set number of days. This is a weak point in the law. Most offices respond within a couple of weeks, but some take longer. If you hear nothing, follow up by phone or with a second letter.
Denials and Appeals
If your request is denied, the agency should tell you why. Common reasons include ongoing investigation, privacy exemptions, or records that do not exist. You can appeal a denial by filing suit in circuit court. The deadline is two years from the denial.
Records Fees
Macon County charges fees for police record copies. These fees cover copying and staff time. Here are typical costs:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident Report | $10 - $25 |
| Accident Report | $15 - $20 |
| ALEA Background Check | $15 online / $25 by mail |
| Page Copies | $0.25 - $1.00 per page |
| Certified Copy | Additional $5 - $10 |
Cash and money orders are the safest payment methods. Some offices accept cards now. For mail requests, include a money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are sometimes rejected.
Criminal Court Records
Court records are separate from police records. Police records cover the arrest and investigation. Court records cover what happens after charges are filed. They include case dockets, plea deals, trial transcripts, and sentencing information.
The Macon County Circuit Clerk keeps court records. Their office is in the courthouse in Tuskegee. You can go there to search for cases, view files, and get copies.
Circuit Clerk Information
| Address | Macon County Courthouse, Tuskegee, AL 36083 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 724-2614 |
Alacourt Access is the online option. This state system has case records from all Alabama counties. Search by name to find criminal cases. A basic search costs $9.99. Document images and detailed information cost extra.
Macon County is in the 5th Judicial Circuit. This circuit includes Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph, and Tallapoosa counties. Circuit court handles felonies and larger civil cases. District court handles misdemeanors and smaller matters.
Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Besides the sheriff, other agencies operate in Macon County. If you need a police record, you have to go to the agency that made it.
Tuskegee Police Department handles calls inside the city of Tuskegee. For incidents in town, contact them directly. Their station is in Tuskegee.
Tuskegee University Police covers the campus. They handle reports for crimes that happen on university property. Contact them for campus-related records.
Alabama State Troopers respond to highway crashes. For accident reports on state highways, go through ALEA. You can order crash reports online for $17 at the state portal.
Each agency keeps its own records. The sheriff cannot give you a report that city police made. You have to ask the right agency for each record you need.
Nearby Counties
Macon County shares borders with several other counties. If an incident happened near a county line, records could be in either place. Check both if you are not sure which agency responded.
Statewide Resources
State agencies can help when local sources do not have what you need.
ALEA Criminal Justice Information Services runs the statewide criminal database. For complete background checks, especially fingerprint-based ones, you go through ALEA. Call 1-866-740-4762 or visit their Montgomery office.
Alabama Department of Corrections has records on state prison inmates. Anyone sentenced to more than one year goes to state prison. Search their database at doc.alabama.gov to find current and former inmates.
VINELink lets you search for inmates and get notifications. This is free and covers jails and prisons across Alabama. You can get alerts by phone, email, or text when someone's status changes.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral can connect you with an attorney. If you need help with a records dispute or legal matter, they can give you a referral. Call 1-800-392-5660.
Start Your Records Search
Use the search tool below to find police records, arrest information, and inmate data in Macon County and throughout Alabama.