Marengo County Arrest Records
Police records in Marengo County are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Linden. This county sits in west-central Alabama along the Tombigbee River. The sheriff handles law enforcement for rural areas and runs the county jail. If you need arrest records, incident reports, or information about someone in custody, this is where you start. Marengo County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit. Court records go through the circuit clerk at the courthouse. This page covers both police and court records. We tell you who to contact, what fees to expect, and how the open records law works in Alabama. Most record requests can be completed within a week or two.
Marengo County Quick Facts
Marengo County Sheriff's Office
The Marengo County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies patrol the rural areas, investigate crimes, and serve civil papers. The office also operates the county detention center.
When you need a police record from this county, the sheriff's office is usually where you go. They have arrest records for anyone booked into the county jail. They also have incident reports for calls their deputies handled.
Contact Information
| Address | 101 E Coats Ave, Linden, AL 36748 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 295-4209 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Jail | (334) 295-4209 |
The office is in downtown Linden near the courthouse. Walk-in visits work best for simple requests. Call ahead if you have a complex request or want to make sure the right person is available.
Types of Records
Marengo County keeps standard police records:
- Arrest records with name, charges, and booking date
- Incident and offense reports
- Accident reports from county roads
- Warrant information
- Jail booking records and mugshots
Some records have access limits. Open investigation files are not public. Juvenile records stay sealed. Personal identifiers like Social Security numbers are removed before copies are given out.
Marengo County Jail
The county jail in Marengo County is run by the sheriff. It holds people waiting for court and those serving short sentences. Anyone arrested by county deputies or transferred from municipal courts comes here.
To check if someone is in jail, call the detention center. You need the person's full name. The date of birth helps too if it is a common name. Staff can tell you the charges and bond amount. They can explain how bonding works if you want to get someone out.
Finding Inmates
Marengo County does not have a dedicated online jail roster. This is common in smaller Alabama counties. You have to call or visit to get current custody information.
VINELink covers all of Alabama and is free. You can search for inmates statewide. You can also sign up to get alerts when an inmate is released or moved. Go to vinelink.com and select Alabama.
Visiting Hours
Jail visits follow a schedule. You need valid ID to visit. There are rules about what you can wear and bring. Contact the jail for the current visiting schedule. It can change based on staffing or facility conditions.
Many jails now offer video visitation. This lets you visit from home using a computer or phone. Check with the jail to see if this option is available. Video visits usually need to be scheduled ahead of time.
How to Get Police Records
There are several ways to request police records in Marengo County. Choose the method that works best for your situation.
In Person
Visit the sheriff's office during business hours. Bring ID. Tell the clerk what record you need. Simple requests like a copy of an incident report can often be done while you wait. Pay the fee and get your documents.
By Mail
Write a letter explaining what you want. Be specific. Include names, dates, and any report numbers you have. Add your contact information and sign the letter. Send it to the sheriff's office address. Include payment if you know the fee.
Your letter should include:
- Your full name and mailing address
- Phone number or email for questions
- Clear description of records needed
- Names of people involved
- Date or time period of the incident
- Report or case number if you have it
Online Options
Marengo County has limited online records. State systems fill some gaps. ALEA offers background checks online for $15. Alacourt Access has court records from all Alabama counties. The crash report portal at ALEA handles highway accident reports.
Alabama Open Records Act
The Alabama Open Records Act gives you the right to request government records. Police records are included. The law is in Alabama Code Sections 36-12-40 through 36-12-46.
Under this law, citizens can inspect public records. You can get copies. Agencies can charge reasonable fees for copies. Most police records like arrest logs and incident reports are available to the public.
There are exceptions. Active investigations can be withheld to avoid interfering with police work. Juvenile records are not public. Information that would endanger someone can be kept private. Medical and mental health details get redacted.
Important: Alabama only allows state residents to make open records requests. You must show ID proving you live in Alabama. Out of state residents do not have the same access rights under Alabama law.
The law does not set a response deadline. Agencies can take the time they need. This is different from federal FOIA which has time limits. If you hear nothing after two weeks, send a follow-up request or call.
If Your Request Is Denied
The agency should explain any denial. You can appeal by suing in circuit court. There is a two year limit from the denial date. An attorney can advise you on whether a lawsuit makes sense for your situation.
Fees for Records
Expect to pay for police record copies. Fees cover the cost of copying and staff time.
| Record Type | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident Report | $10 - $25 |
| Accident Report | $15 - $20 |
| Background Check (ALEA) | $15 online / $25 mail |
| Copy Charges | $0.25 - $1.00 per page |
| Certified Copies | Extra $5 - $10 |
Pay with cash or money order for walk-in requests. Mail requests should include a money order or cashier's check. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment they accept.
Criminal Court Records
Police records and court records are not the same. Police records cover the arrest and investigation. Court records cover what happens after charges are filed. They include the case docket, motions, pleas, and sentencing information.
The Marengo County Circuit Clerk manages court records. Their office is in the courthouse in Linden. You can search case files, view documents, and order copies there.
Circuit Clerk Contact
| Address | Marengo County Courthouse, Linden, AL 36748 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 295-2210 |
Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com has online court records. Search for criminal cases by name. A basic search costs $9.99. Document images cost extra. This covers cases from all 67 Alabama counties.
Marengo County is in the 17th Judicial Circuit with Greene, Hale, and Sumter counties. Circuit court handles felonies and major civil cases. District court deals with misdemeanors and smaller civil matters.
Other Law Enforcement
Several agencies operate in Marengo County. Each keeps its own records. You have to contact the right agency for each report you need.
Demopolis Police Department serves the city of Demopolis. For incidents inside the city limits, contact them. Demopolis is the largest city in Marengo County.
Linden Police Department handles law enforcement in the county seat. For police reports from Linden, go to the city police.
Alabama State Troopers respond to crashes on state highways. Order highway crash reports through ALEA for $17 online.
The sheriff cannot give you records created by other agencies. If city police responded to an incident, you need to go to that police department. If state troopers handled a highway crash, go through ALEA.
Nearby Counties
Marengo County borders several counties. If you are not sure where an incident occurred, you may need to check multiple county records.
State Resources
State agencies handle records that local offices do not have.
ALEA is the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. They maintain the statewide criminal records database. For a full background check with fingerprints, you go through ALEA. Online background checks cost $15. Mail requests are $25. Their office is in Montgomery.
Alabama Department of Corrections tracks state prison inmates. Anyone sentenced to more than one year in prison is in their system. Search at doc.alabama.gov to find inmates in state custody.
VINELink is a free service for inmate searches and notifications. Search for inmates across Alabama. Register to get alerts when someone is released or transferred. This covers both county jails and state prisons.
Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to low income residents. If you have trouble getting records or face a denial, they may be able to advise you. Call 1-866-456-4995.
Search Records Now
Use the tool below to search police records, arrest data, and inmate information in Marengo County and across Alabama.