Shelby County Police Records

Police records in Shelby County are held by the Sheriff's Office in Columbiana. The county jail runs a free online roster. You can look up current inmates, see charges, and check bond amounts. The sheriff also handles arrest records. If you need local crime reports, contact the records division. This page shows you how to access police and jail records in Shelby County, Alabama. We cover the inmate search, fees, and how to request copies.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office

The Shelby County Sheriff runs law enforcement and the jail. Sheriff John Samaniego leads the office. They handle arrests, serve warrants, and manage inmates.

You can reach them at:

• Address: 380 McDow Rd, Columbiana, AL 35051
• Phone: 205-669-4181
• Fax: 205-669-3865
• Jail Direct Line: 205-669-3938
• Website: shelbyso.com

Office hours are Monday through Friday. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person. The jail runs 24 hours a day.

For records requests, talk to the records division. They can help with arrest records and incident reports. Some records need a written request. Others can be given over the counter.

Shelby County Jail Inmate Search

The sheriff runs a free online inmate roster. Go to inmatelisting.shelbyal.com to search. Type in a name. You will see all matches.

Each result shows the inmate's name and photo. You also see their charges, bond amount, and booking date. The list updates often. It shows who is in jail right now.

The Shelby County Jail is nationally accredited. It holds over 500 inmates at a time. They house county, state, and federal inmates. Local city police bring their arrests here too.

What you can find online:

• Current inmates in custody
• Booking photos (mugshots)
• Charges filed against each person
• Bond amounts if set
• Intake and release reports

This search is free. You pay nothing to look. Searches run 24 hours a day. Use any device with web access.

Note: Being in jail does not mean guilt. It means charges were filed. Court decides guilt later.

How to Request Police Records

Getting records in Shelby County takes a few steps. It depends on what you need and who has it.

For arrest records, start with the sheriff. They keep booking data and jail records. You can call or visit their office. Some records are handed out same day. Others take longer.

Incident reports come from the agency that took the call. If the sheriff responded, they have it. If city police came, ask that city. Shelby County has many small towns. Each may have its own police force.

To get copies, you usually need:

• A written request form (some agencies)
• Photo ID if picking up in person
• Payment for copy fees
• Case number or date of incident

Alabama law says residents can see public records. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 grants this right. But some records are sealed. Juvenile cases stay private. Active cases may be held back too.

If you were the victim, you can get your own report. Bring your ID and the case number. Insurance claims often need this.

Shelby County Jail Details

The jail sits near the sheriff's office in Columbiana. It holds people waiting for trial. It also holds those serving short sentences. Longer sentences go to state prison.

Jail services include:

• Booking and processing
• Inmate housing by classification
• Video visitation for family
• Commissary for inmate purchases
• Medical care on site

Commissary and phone services use JailATM. Family members can add funds online. This lets inmates buy snacks, hygiene items, and phone time. Go to the JailATM website to set up an account.

Visitation rules change at times. Check the sheriff website for current hours. Most visits are by video now. This keeps things safer for staff and inmates.

The jail takes inmates from many sources. County arrests come here. Municipal arrests from small towns do too. They also hold some state and federal inmates under contract.

Fees for Police Records in Shelby County

Fees depend on what you want and how you get it. Here is a rough guide.

The online inmate search costs nothing. It is free for anyone to use. No account is needed.

Paper copies of reports have fees. Expect to pay per page for copies. Most agencies charge between $0.50 and $1.50 per page. Some charge a flat fee for the whole report.

Crash reports from the sheriff may cost $10 to $25. The exact price varies. Call ahead to ask. Bring cash or a money order.

Background checks through ALEA cost $25 by mail. Online checks are $15. The sheriff cannot run state background checks. You must go through ALEA for that.

If you need certified copies, those cost more. The Circuit Clerk handles court records. They charge extra to certify documents. This proves the copy is real.

Fees can change. Always call first to confirm the amount. Ask about payment methods too. Some offices want cash only. Others take money orders.

Relevant Alabama Laws

Several state laws cover police records. Here are the key ones.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives residents the right to see public records. Police records fall under this. But not all records are public. Some have limits.

Criminal history records are not fully public. You need written consent to get someone else's record. This rule is in Alabama Code Section 41-9-591.

Expungement rules apply in some cases. If charges get dropped, the record can be erased. This is found in Alabama Code Section 41-9-625. The agency must clear records for cases that end in favor of the defendant.

Juvenile records stay sealed in most cases. You cannot access arrest records for minors. Alabama Code Section 12-15-133 covers this. Only certain people can see juvenile files.

The sheriff must report arrests to ALEA within 30 days. This goes to the state criminal history database. It helps keep the statewide system current.

Court Records vs. Police Records

Police records and court records are different. They are kept in different places.

The sheriff keeps arrest records and jail data. These show who got booked and when. They list charges at the time of arrest. Bail amounts appear here too.

The Circuit Clerk keeps court records. These show what happened after arrest. Did the case go to trial? Was there a plea? What was the sentence? Court records have all of this.

Shelby County is in the 18th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office is in Columbiana. You can search some records on Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com. This state site lets you look up court cases. Name searches cost $9.99.

For a full picture, you need both. Police records tell you about the arrest. Court records tell you how it ended. Many people need both for background checks.

Victim Notification

If you are a victim, you can track the case. VINELink offers free alerts. Sign up at vinelink.com.

VINELink sends updates when an inmate's status changes. You get a call, text, or email. Find out when someone gets released. Know if they move to another jail. This helps victims stay safe.

The service is free. It works for jails across Alabama. Just search by the person's name. Register for alerts on their file.

Shelby County also has a Victim Services unit. They help with court dates and safety planning. Contact the District Attorney's office for more help.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County has many cities and towns. Some have their own police. Others use the sheriff for law enforcement.

Hoover is partly in Shelby County. It is one of the largest cities in Alabama. Hoover has its own police department. For crimes in Hoover, contact them directly. Not the sheriff.

Other towns include Pelham, Helena, Alabaster, and Montevallo. Each may have local police. Smaller areas rely on the sheriff.

When you need records, ask who responded. City police keep their own files. The sheriff keeps theirs. Go to the right place to get what you need.

Note: Only Hoover has a population over 50,000 in this county. That is why it has a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Shelby County sits in central Alabama. Several counties border it. Each has its own sheriff and jail.

If you are not sure which county has your records, check where the incident happened. County lines matter for records. The wrong county will not have your file.

Search Shelby County Records Now

Use the tool below to search police records. Find arrest data, jail rosters, and more.