Alabama Criminal Records

Alabama criminal records are documents containing information about the offenses that led to a person's arrest, indictment, prosecution, conviction, or sentence within state limits. These records include the subject's criminal history and details of criminal charges made against an individual, whether prosecuted or dismissed.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is tasked with maintaining and disseminating the state's criminal records to interested persons. Inquirers can expect to find the following in a typical record:

• The subject's full name and aliases;
• Biodata, such as age, date of birth, race, and gender;
• Physical description of the offender: including their weight, height, skin, eye, and hair color;
• The crimes committed;
• Outstanding warrants and charges;
• Convictions and sentences entered by the court;
• Dismissed or exonerated charges.

Are Criminal Records Public in Alabama?

Yes. The Alabama Public Records Law under Al. Code §36-12-40 allows citizens access to inspect and make copies of public reports maintained by public offices in the state. Alabama law enforcement agencies are public offices. Therefore, Alabama criminal records are public records.

Criminal records can be requested by interested individuals except those expressly restricted by legal provisions and court orders. For example, criminal records related to juveniles, probation information, records that may jeopardize a witness's protection, and victim information are examples of criminal records sealed from public access by law.

Alabama Crime Records by County

Alabama crime records are statistical data used to track the rate, trends, and demographics of crimes perpetrated in the state. Crime information submitted by enforcement agencies across the counties via the Alabama Uniform Crime Reporting System is collated on the Crime in Alabama webpage managed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Institute of Data and Analytics located at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business.

Individuals can research and obtain information about the crime rates and trends of the counties in Alabama using the Crime in Alabama database. For instance, 28,271 criminal incidents were reported in Jefferson County, while 15,706 crimes were recorded in Mobile County in 2019.

**Alabama Criminal Record Check **

To conduct a criminal record check in Alabama, interested persons may use the state online background check system or submit requests to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) in person or via mail.

For In-person or mail-in requests, the requester must download and complete a signed or notarized copy of the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) form. Alongside the application form, the requestor must also provide a set of fingerprints obtained from an authorized fingerprinting agency, a valid photo ID, and payment of $25 (paid by cashier's check or money order). The application form and other required documents can be submitted in person at:

301 South Ripley Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone: (334) 676-7897

or mailed to the following address:

*Alabama Law Enforcement Agency *

*Criminal Records and Identification Unit *

ATTN: Background Checks

PO. Box 1511

*Montgomery, Alabama 36102–1511. *

**Find Criminal Records Online in Alabama **

Qualified employers can find Alabama criminal records online via the Alabama Background Check System maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. It is a subscription-based service requiring users to pay an annual subscription fee of $95 and $15 per search. To register on the Alabama Background Check System, eligible persons must submit a signed subscription agreement to the ALEA, and supply the following information:

• The company's details, including contact information;
• The number of staffers;
• The Federal Employer Identification Number of the company;
• Information about the company's authorizing official;
• Payment information like the credit card number or a checking account and routing number.

Upon subscribing, the employers can log in to the portal by entering their unique username and password.

Additionally, interested persons can look up Alabama criminal records maintained by the judicial system via the approved case management system at a nominal cost of $9.99.

**Free Criminal Record Search in Alabama **

Alabama statutes do not have provisions for free public access to criminal records from record custodians. Interested and eligible persons will need to pay a fee of $25 (for mail or in-person requests) or $15 (for online applications) to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to search state criminal records.

Nevertheless, it is possible to obtain free criminal records in Alabama from third-party sources. However, because these service providers are not affiliated with the government, there is no guarantee of the authenticity or accuracy of the record obtained. Furthermore, the records obtained from these sources may not be used for official purposes.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Alabama?

The effects of being arrested and convicted for a misdemeanor, felony, or any other crime in Alabama can be both short-term and long-term. A criminal record can deprive the record subject of many privileges and negatively impact many aspects of a person's life with both financial and social implications.

Short-term consequences could include incarceration, probation, parole, and fines. On the other hand, long-term effects include:

• Difficulty in enrolling at some learning institutions;
• Difficulty in earning scholarships, loans, or grants;
• Limited employment and career opportunities;
• Issues with acquiring housing opportunities and rental agreements;
• Restricted travel and movements within the society;
• Impaired social status and perception;
• More severe penalties for subsequent offenses.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Alabama?

No. Alabama's criminal record remains permanent on the offender's criminal history except the record subject files for sealing or expungement. However, the state of Alabama (Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-127-.07) complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA mandates custodians of criminal records to restrict access of prospective employers to records of lawsuits, and arrests that do not result in a conviction filed 7 years before the time of the background check.

**Arrest Record Vs. Criminal Record **

In Alabama, arrest records disclose information about an individual's apprehension and associated offense. On the other hand, a criminal record is a more explicit document as it contains information about the result of the arrest (conviction details) and past crimes committed by an individual.

Arrest records cannot be used as proof of guilt in a legal proceeding. However, a criminal record shows whether an individual was convicted of a crime and if the charges were dismissed or absolved.

Alabama Police Records

Alabama Police records are official reports of all communications between law enforcement agents and residents of the state. These records comprise warrants, arrest records, audio or video recordings of crime scenes, criminal investigation reports, police shooting reports, incident reports, and other records produced from law enforcement duties.

Police records differ from criminal records because while criminal records focus on a single individual, police records have multiple records subjects. In Alabama, Police records are deemed public per the state public records law. Nonetheless, some information contained in police records is not publicly accessible. Examples of such exemptions include:

• 911 tapes, unless with the permission of a court;
• Investigation reports and materials of ongoing criminal cases
• Other sensitive law enforcement information such as :
  • EyeWitness and confidential informant data and statements
  • Arrest and Search warrants that are still active
  • Personal identifying details and records of crime victims, especially those who were witnesses to the crime
  • Plaintiff identification data was entered in arrest records.