Perry County Police Records Search
Police records in Perry County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Marion. This rural Alabama county sits in the state's Black Belt region between Selma and Tuscaloosa. The sheriff handles law enforcement for the county and runs the detention center. When you need arrest records, incident reports, or inmate information, the sheriff's office is where you start. Perry County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. The circuit clerk maintains court records for criminal cases after charges are filed. This guide explains how to get both police and court records. We cover fees, contact information, and your rights under Alabama's open records law. Most basic requests can be processed within a few business days.
Perry County Quick Facts
Perry County Sheriff's Office
The Perry County Sheriff's Office serves as the main law enforcement agency. Deputies patrol the county, investigate crimes, and serve legal papers. The office also operates the county jail.
When you need police records, the sheriff's office is the place to go. They have arrest records for everyone booked into the county jail. They keep incident reports for calls their deputies responded to. They can tell you if someone has an active warrant or is currently in custody.
Contact Information
| Address | Washington Street, Marion, AL 36756 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 683-6536 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Jail | (334) 683-6532 |
The office is in Marion, the county seat. It is near the courthouse. Walk-in requests during business hours work well for simple needs. Call ahead if you have a complex request or want to verify someone is available to help you.
Types of Records
Perry County keeps standard police record types:
- Arrest records with names, charges, and dates
- Booking photos from the jail
- Incident and offense reports
- Traffic accident reports from county roads
- Warrant status information
- Current jail roster
Some records are not public. Open investigations stay confidential until completed. Juvenile records require a court order. Personal information like Social Security numbers is removed before release.
Perry County Jail
The Perry County Jail is operated by the sheriff. It holds people waiting for trial and those serving sentences under one year. Anyone arrested in the county gets booked here unless they are transferred to another facility.
To check if someone is in jail, call the detention center. You need the person's full name. A date of birth helps narrow things down. Staff can confirm custody status, charges, and bond amount. They can explain how bail works if you want to help someone get out.
Finding an Inmate
Perry County does not have a public online inmate roster. This is common in smaller Alabama counties. You have to call or visit to get current custody information.
VINELink covers all Alabama counties for free. You can search for inmates statewide. You can also register for alerts. When an inmate is released or moved, you get notified by phone, email, or text. Go to vinelink.com and select Alabama.
Visiting
The jail has set visitation hours. You need valid photo ID to visit. There are rules about dress and what you can bring. Contact the jail to find out the current schedule. Hours can change based on staffing or security issues.
Video visits may be available. Some facilities let you visit remotely from home. Check with the jail to see what options they offer. Video visits usually require scheduling in advance.
How to Request Police Records
Getting police records in Perry County takes a few steps. The best approach depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
In Person
Visit the sheriff's office during business hours. Bring ID. Tell them what you need. For simple requests, you may get copies right away. Pay the fee and leave with your documents. This is the fastest way for basic records.
By Mail
Write a letter describing what records you want. Be specific. Include names, dates, and any case numbers you have. Add your contact information and sign the letter. Mail it to the sheriff's office. Include payment if you know the fee.
Your written request should include:
- Your name and mailing address
- Phone number or email
- Clear description of records needed
- Names of people involved
- Date or date range of incident
- Case or report number if known
Online Options
Perry County has limited online records access. State systems help fill the gap. ALEA offers online background checks for $15. Alacourt Access has court records from all 67 counties. ALEA also has crash reports for highway accidents.
Alabama Open Records Act
Your right to get 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.
The law gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Most police records are public. Arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records can be requested. Agencies can charge reasonable fees for copies.
Some records are exempt:
- Active criminal investigations
- Juvenile records
- Information that could endanger someone
- Personnel records
- Medical details
Only Alabama residents can make open records requests. You must show ID proving you live here. A driver's license or state ID works. Out of state residents do not have the same rights under Alabama law.
The law has no response deadline. Agencies do not have to answer within a set time. Most respond within two weeks. If you hear nothing, follow up by phone or send another letter.
If Denied
The agency should explain any denial. You can appeal by filing suit in circuit court. You have two years from the denial date. An attorney can tell you if a lawsuit is worth pursuing.
Fees
Perry County charges for copies of police records. Fees cover copying costs and staff time.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident Report | $10 - $25 |
| Accident Report | $15 - $20 |
| ALEA Background Check | $15 online / $25 mail |
| Page Copies | $0.25 - $1.00 each |
| Certified Copies | Additional $5 - $10 |
Cash and money orders work for walk-in requests. For mail requests, include a money order or cashier's check. Some offices accept cards now. Call to confirm what payment methods they take.
Criminal Court Records
Police records and court records are different. Police records cover the investigation and arrest. Court records cover what happens after charges are filed. They include case dockets, motions, pleas, and sentencing documents.
The Perry County Circuit Clerk keeps court records. Their office is at the courthouse in Marion. You can search for cases, look at files, and get copies there.
Circuit Clerk
| Address | Perry County Courthouse, Marion, AL 36756 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 683-2210 |
Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com offers online court records. Search by name to find criminal cases filed in Perry County. A basic search costs $9.99. Document images cost extra. The system covers all Alabama counties.
Perry County is in the 4th Judicial Circuit with Bibb, Dallas, Hale, and Wilcox counties. Circuit court handles felonies and larger civil cases. District court handles misdemeanors and small civil matters.
Other Law Enforcement
Other agencies work in Perry County besides the sheriff. Each keeps its own records. You must contact the right agency for each record you need.
Marion Police Department serves the city of Marion. For incidents inside city limits, contact city police. The sheriff does not have their records.
Judson College Campus Security handles incidents on the college campus. Contact them for campus-related reports.
Alabama State Troopers respond to highway crashes. Order crash reports through ALEA for $17 online. State trooper records go through the state, not the county.
Figure out which agency responded before you request records. City police, county sheriff, and state troopers all maintain separate systems. Each only has their own records.
Nearby Counties
Perry County borders several other counties. If an incident occurred near a county line, records could be in either place.
State Resources
State agencies handle records beyond what local offices keep.
ALEA maintains the statewide criminal database. For full background checks with fingerprints, go through ALEA. Online checks cost $15. Mail requests cost $25. Their office is in Montgomery.
Alabama Department of Corrections tracks state prison inmates. People sentenced to more than one year end up in the state system. Search at doc.alabama.gov. This does not cover county jails.
VINELink is free for inmate searches statewide. It covers both county jails and state prisons in Alabama. Register for custody alerts. Get notified when someone is released or moved.
Legal Services Alabama provides 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 find police records, arrest information, and inmate data in Perry County and throughout Alabama.