Find Russell County Police Records

Police records in Russell County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Phenix City. The county has an online inmate search you can use for free. This guide explains where to find arrest records, jail rosters, and how to request criminal history information in Russell County.

Russell County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Heath Taylor has led the Russell County Sheriff's Office since 2011. The office is in Phenix City on the Alabama-Georgia line. They handle patrols, the jail, and civil matters for the county.

Here is how to reach them:

• Address: 305 Prentiss Drive, Phenix City, AL 36869
• Phone: (334) 298-6535
• Jail Direct: 334-298-8621
• Jail Address: 307 Prentiss Drive, Phenix City

The sheriff's office and jail sit next to each other on Prentiss Drive. Stop by during business hours for records. Call the jail line any time for inmate info.

Russell County is in the 26th Judicial Circuit. This circuit only includes Russell County. The Circuit Court handles all felony and major misdemeanor cases.

Online Inmate Search

Russell County has a free online inmate roster. You can search it 24 hours a day. Visit the sheriff's website at rcso.org and look for the inmate search link.

The roster shows everyone in jail right now. Type in a name and search. Each result shows:

• Full name and mugshot
• Current charges
• Bond amount if set
• Booking date

This is the fastest way to check on someone. No fee. No account needed. Just search by name.

The roster updates regularly. If someone was just arrested, give it a few hours. Booking takes time. Then their info will show up.

Russell County Jail

The Russell County Jail holds about 300 inmates. It is right next to the sheriff's office. Sheriff Taylor runs the facility with a focus on programs that help inmates.

The jail offers several programs for inmates:

• GED classes for education
• Family planning programs
• AA and NA for addiction help
• Bible study and faith groups

These programs aim to reduce repeat offenders. Not all jails offer this much. Russell County has made it a priority.

Contacting an Inmate

Call the jail at 334-298-8621 to ask about an inmate. Give the full name and date of birth. Staff can confirm if that person is there. They can also tell you the bond amount.

Phone calls and commissary use special systems. Ask the jail about how to set up an account. Inmates can call out if you put money on their phone account.

How to Request Police Records

Getting records in Russell County is fairly simple. The steps depend on what you need.

Arrest Records

Start with the online roster for recent arrests. For older records or paper copies, go to the sheriff's office. Bring your ID and ask for records.

Incident Reports

The agency that responded has the report. If it was the sheriff, they have it. If Phenix City Police responded, contact them instead. Always check who handled the call first.

Alabama Public Records Law

You have the right to see public records in Alabama. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 covers this. Arrest records are public. Ask to inspect them at the office.

Not everything is public. Home addresses stay private. So do Social Security numbers. The law protects some personal data.

Posting Bond

Most arrests come with a bond. This is the amount needed to get out while waiting for court. Some serious charges have no bond.

Ways to post bond in Russell County:

• Cash: Pay the full amount at the jail.
• Bondsman: Pay a fee (usually 10%) to a bail bond company.
• Property: Put up real estate as collateral.

Call the jail first. Get the exact bond amount. Then decide how to pay. Bondsmen are listed in local directories. Many are open 24/7.

After payment, release takes a few hours. Paperwork must be processed. Do not expect instant release. Be ready to wait.

Background Checks

The sheriff's records only cover Russell County. For a full state check, you need ALEA. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps the statewide database.

ALEA checks cost $15 online or $25 by mail. You must have written consent from the person. Start at the ALEA portal online.

Fingerprint checks are best for employers. They catch records under other names. The sheriff's office may do fingerprinting. Call and ask about their hours and fees.

Criminal history from ALEA is not public record. You cannot just run a check on anyone. Alabama law requires consent.

Russell County Court Records

Arrest records and court records are different. The sheriff has arrest data. The Circuit Clerk has court files.

The Russell County Courthouse is in Phenix City. Go there for case files, judgments, and sentencing info. The Circuit Clerk's office handles requests.

Online court searches are possible too. Visit pa.alacourt.com for Alacourt Access. A name search runs $9.99. Not all records are online.

Need a certified copy? Get it from the clerk in person. Certified copies cost more but are needed for legal use. Plain copies are cheaper for personal use.

Phenix City Police Records

Phenix City is the county seat. It has its own police department. Crimes in city limits go through city police, not the sheriff.

The population of Phenix City is about 37,000. That is just under the threshold for a dedicated page on this site. But it is the largest city in Russell County by far.

For crimes in Phenix City, contact the Phenix City Police Department. They have their own records system. The sheriff handles areas outside the city.

Check which agency responded before requesting records. This saves time and gets you to the right place faster.

Other Search Tools

Alabama has statewide resources that cover Russell County. These can help if you need more than local records.

The sex offender registry is free. Go to community.alea.gov and search by location. You can see offenders in Russell County or anywhere in the state.

VINELink tracks inmates and sends alerts. Register at vinelink.com. You get notified when someone is released or transferred.

State prison inmates show up in the ADOC search. Visit doc.alabama.gov to look someone up. County jail inmates are not in this system.

Crash reports depend on who responded. ALEA handles state highway crashes. Local police handle city crashes. The sheriff covers county roads.

Record Fees

Costs for records in Russell County vary. Here is what to expect:

• Online inmate search: Free
• Incident report copy: $10-25 (varies)
• ALEA background check: $15 online, $25 mail
• Crash report (ALEA): $17 online
• Court name search: $9.99 (Alacourt)

Always call ahead to confirm fees. They can change. Most offices accept money orders. Some take credit cards too.

Note About Georgia Border

Russell County sits right on the Georgia state line. Columbus, Georgia is just across the river from Phenix City. If an incident happened in Georgia, Alabama agencies will not have those records.

For Georgia records, contact the Muscogee County Sheriff or Columbus Police. Different state, different rules. Alabama records requests only cover Alabama.

Nearby Counties

Russell County borders several Alabama counties. Contact these sheriff offices for records in their areas.

Search Records Now

Use this tool to look up police records in Russell County. Find arrest info, inmates, and court data.