Access Pickens County Police Records

Police records from Pickens County are available through the Sheriff's Office in Carrollton. This western Alabama county borders Mississippi to the west. The sheriff provides law enforcement for rural areas and operates the county jail. For arrest records, incident reports, or inmate information, the sheriff's office is your starting point. Pickens County belongs to the 24th Judicial Circuit. After charges are filed, criminal cases move to the circuit court. The clerk maintains those court files separately from police records. This guide explains how to access both types of records in Pickens County. We include contact details, expected fees, and information about your rights under Alabama law. Most routine requests are completed within one to two weeks.

Pickens County Sheriff's Office

The Pickens County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies handle patrol, respond to calls, and investigate crimes. The office serves civil papers and provides courthouse security. They also run the county jail where arrested persons are booked.

For police records, start at the sheriff's office. They maintain arrest records, incident reports, and booking data. If you need to find out if someone is in custody or has an active warrant, they can help with that too.

Contact Information

The office is in Carrollton. Parking is available near the building. Visit during business hours for walk-in requests. Complex requests may need advance notice, so call first if you have something complicated.

Available Records

Pickens County maintains these police record types:

• Arrest records with charges and booking information
• Mugshots from jail bookings
• Incident and offense reports
• Accident reports from county roads
• Active warrant information
• Current jail roster

Some records have restrictions. Open investigations are kept confidential. Juvenile records need a court order. Personal details like Social Security numbers are blacked out before release.

Pickens County Jail

The Pickens County Jail is run by the sheriff's office. It holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences of under one year. Anyone arrested in the county gets processed here.

Call the jail to check if someone is in custody. Give them the full name and date of birth if you have it. They can tell you the charges, bond amount, and when the person was booked. If you want to post bail, they explain the process.

Inmate Search

Pickens County does not have an online jail roster. You have to call or go in person to get current inmate information. This is typical for smaller rural Alabama counties.

VINELink covers all Alabama jails and prisons. Search for inmates statewide at vinelink.com. You can also sign up for alerts. When an inmate's status changes, you get notified by phone, email, or text. This service is free.

Visitation

Jail visits happen on a set schedule. Bring valid photo ID. Follow the dress code. Cell phones and bags may not be allowed inside. Contact the jail for current visiting hours. The schedule can change without much notice.

Some jails now offer video visits. This lets you see an inmate from home using your computer or phone. Ask the jail if video visitation is available. Visits usually need to be scheduled ahead of time.

How to Request Records

There are several ways to get police records from Pickens County. Pick the method that fits your situation.

Walk-In

Go to the sheriff's office during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell the clerk what record you want. Simple requests can sometimes be handled while you wait. Pay the fee and get your copies.

Written Request

For detailed requests or if you cannot visit, put it in writing. State exactly what you need. Include names, dates, and any report numbers you have. Sign and date your letter. Mail it to the sheriff's office address.

Include these details:

• Your name and contact information
• What records you are requesting
• Names of people involved
• Date or time frame of the incident
• Report or case number if known
• Why you need the records (optional but can help)

Online Sources

Pickens County has limited online records. State databases help. ALEA offers background checks online for $15. Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com has court records. ALEA also handles crash reports from state highways.

Alabama Open Records Act

The Alabama Open Records Act gives you the right to request public records. Police records are covered. The law is found in Alabama Code Sections 36-12-40 through 36-12-46.

Citizens can inspect and copy public records under this law. Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking data are generally public. Agencies charge reasonable fees for copies.

Exemptions exist for certain records:

• Ongoing criminal investigations
• Juvenile records
• Information that could endanger someone
• Personnel files
• Medical information

Alabama requires requesters to be state residents. You must show ID proving you live in Alabama. A driver's license or state ID card works. People from other states do not have the same access.

There is no deadline for agencies to respond. Alabama law does not require them to answer within any set time. Most offices respond within two weeks. Follow up if you hear nothing after that.

Denials

If denied, the agency should say why. Common reasons are ongoing investigations or protected information. You can sue in circuit court to challenge a denial. The deadline is two years. Talking to a lawyer can help you decide if it is worth pursuing.

Records Fees

Pickens County charges for copies of police records. Fees cover the cost of paper and staff time.

Pay with cash or money order for in-person requests. Mail in a money order or cashier's check for written requests. Some offices take credit cards. Call ahead to ask about payment options.

Court Records

Police records and court records serve different purposes. Police records document arrests and investigations. Court records track what happens after charges are filed. This includes hearings, pleas, trials, and sentencing.

The Pickens County Circuit Clerk maintains court files. Their office is at the courthouse in Carrollton. Search for cases, review files, and order copies there.

Circuit Clerk Contact

Alacourt Access has online court records. Search pa.alacourt.com by name to find cases. A basic search is $9.99 and includes one case. Document images cost extra. The system covers all 67 Alabama counties.

Pickens County is in the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Lamar counties. Circuit court handles felonies and larger civil cases. District court covers misdemeanors and small civil matters.

Other Agencies

Several law enforcement agencies work in Pickens County. Each has its own records. You need to contact the right agency for each report.

Reform Police Department serves the city of Reform. For incidents inside Reform city limits, contact their police department. The sheriff does not have city police records.

Aliceville Police Department covers the city of Aliceville. Go to them for Aliceville incidents.

Alabama State Troopers handle crashes on state highways. Get crash reports from ALEA for $17 online. Highway patrol records are maintained by the state.

Know which agency responded to your incident. Each agency keeps its own records separately. The sheriff cannot give you a report made by city police or state troopers.

Nearby Counties

Pickens County borders several other counties. If an incident happened near a county line, you may need to check records in both places.

State Resources

State agencies can help when local offices do not have what you need.

ALEA runs Alabama's central criminal records database. Full background checks with fingerprints go through ALEA. Online checks are $15. Mail requests cost $25. Their main office is in Montgomery.

Alabama Department of Corrections has records on state prison inmates. Anyone sentenced to over a year goes to the state system. Search at doc.alabama.gov. County jail inmates are not in this database.

VINELink offers free inmate searches statewide. It covers both county jails and state prisons. Register for alerts about specific inmates. You get notified when their status changes.

Legal Services Alabama helps low income residents with legal matters. If you have trouble with a records request, they may be able to advise you. Call 1-866-456-4995 for assistance.

Search Pickens County Records

Use the tool below to find police records, arrest data, and inmate information in Pickens County and across Alabama.