Jefferson County AL Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court
Jefferson County, Alabama · Birmingham and Bessemer jail, police and court guide
Search a Jefferson County Arrest and Follow It Through Jail and Court
Use the Sheriff’s inmate inquiry to search current custody and earlier Jefferson County bookings. Save the subject number, booking number, booking date, charges, bond and Birmingham or Bessemer facility.
Then identify the arresting agency, request the correct police report and verify the final misdemeanor or felony disposition through the proper Jefferson County court division.
JEFFERSON RECORD ROUTER
VERIFYING
INMATE INQUIRY
BHM / BESSEMER
JAIL
REPORT
COURT
10TH CIRCUIT OUTCOME
DISPOSITION FOUND
IDENTITY + CASE VERIFIED
An arrest or mugshot is not a conviction. The jail result may include allegations, holds or warrants entered during booking. The prosecutor or court can later change, dismiss or resolve each charge differently.
Current jail search
Select In Custody in the official Sheriff inquiry.
Earlier bookings
Search without limiting results to current custody.
Two jail locations
Verify Birmingham or Bessemer before visiting.
Felony outcome
Use Circuit Court and Alabama court records.
Official review
Procedures checked July 29, 2026.
Which Jefferson County record solves the problem?
JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF
Is the person in county custody?
Search the name, subject number, booking number, custody status, booking dates and facility.
Use for current custody, earlier bookings, mugshots, charges, bonds and housing.
ARRESTING AGENCY
What did the officer report?
Request the incident report, offense report, arrest report or probable-cause material from the agency that created it.
BCSO, Birmingham Police, Hoover Police and other agencies keep separate reports.
DISTRICT OR CIRCUIT COURT
What happened to the charge?
Find the filed offense, hearings, bond orders, indictment, dismissal, plea, judgment and sentence.
District Court generally handles misdemeanors and felony preliminary proceedings; Circuit Court handles felony trials.
ALEA CRIMINAL RECORDS
What appears statewide?
Use a fingerprint-supported personal review to inspect Alabama criminal-history information.
Use for identity disputes, missing dispositions and expungement preparation.
Most reliable order: Find the booking, record the subject and booking numbers, confirm Birmingham or Bessemer housing, identify the arresting agency and then read the final court disposition.
How to search Jefferson County Alabama jail records
Open the official inmate inquiry
Use the Jefferson County Sheriff-hosted search rather than a paid people-search service.
Open Jefferson County Inmate Search
Choose whether to limit the search to current custody
Select In Custody for someone believed to be held now. Leave it unrestricted when researching an earlier booking.
Start with the last name
A surname-only search helps find middle-name, suffix, alias and spelling variations.
Add the first name only when necessary
Use a shorter first-name search if the exact legal spelling is uncertain.
Use the subject number when known
The subject number connects multiple bookings involving the same person.
Use the booking number for one custody event
This is more precise than searching a common name.
Filter by booking dates
Enter a date range when the name returns too many results.
Select Birmingham or Bessemer when known
The housing-facility filter can narrow the search to the correct jail.
Open every plausible match
Compare the date of birth, aliases, subject number, booking date, facility and physical descriptors.
Review every booking separately
A person can have several Jefferson County bookings under one subject number.
Record every charge and bond entry
One charge may have a bond while another charge, warrant or hold prevents release.
Continue to the court record
The jail page may display a charge or disposition field, but the official court file is needed for reliable final proof.
Use the inmate search differently for current and past arrests
Current custody search
- Select In Custody.
- Verify Birmingham or Bessemer housing.
- Record current charges and total bond.
- Check for multiple bookings.
- Call the facility before visiting or posting bond.
Earlier booking search
- Remove the current-custody restriction.
- Use the booking-date range.
- Open each separate booking history.
- Compare release dates and arresting agencies.
- Find the matching court disposition.
Release does not mean dismissal. A person may be released after bond, sentence credit, transfer, court order or completion of jail processing while the criminal case remains pending.
Understand the Jefferson County jail fields
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not prove | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject number | The person within the Sheriff’s inmate system. | The outcome of a particular booking. | Use it to connect multiple booking histories. |
| Booking number | One jail-intake or custody event. | Every booking charge became a filed court charge. | Use it in jail and records inquiries. |
| In custody | Whether the Sheriff system presently lists the person as held. | The person has not entered release or transfer processing. | Call the listed facility for urgent confirmation. |
| Housing facility | Birmingham or Bessemer jail placement. | The inmate will remain at that location. | Recheck before visiting, mailing or depositing. |
| Booking origin | The agency or source connected to intake. | The Sheriff owns the incident report. | Request the police report from the arresting agency. |
| Charge description | An allegation or matter entered in the jail system. | What the prosecutor formally filed or what the court decided. | Search the District or Circuit Court case. |
| Docket number | A possible court-reference number associated with the matter. | The displayed jail information is fully updated. | Use it in Alabama court records. |
| Bond type and amount | A release arrangement connected to an individual matter. | Posting one bond clears all charges or holds. | Confirm every charge with jail or pretrial staff. |
| Release date | When the listed booking event ended. | The charge was dismissed or the person was acquitted. | Read the final court disposition. |
| Disposition | A result transmitted or entered for a charge. | The jail page contains the complete certified court record. | Obtain the court disposition when formal proof is needed. |
| Mugshot | A photograph associated with jail processing. | Identity by itself, prosecution or guilt. | Match birth date, subject number and court case. |
Confirm the correct person before using a booking
Full legal first and last name match
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth or age matches
Subject number matches another official record
Booking date matches the known event
Booking origin matches the arresting agency
Housing facility matches the expected division
Court case follows the same arrest
Minimum identity rule: Match at least two independent identifiers before sending money, publishing an allegation, reporting the result to an employer or treating the booking as belonging to a specific person.
No Jefferson County arrest found? Check these causes
Booking is still underway
Fingerprinting, identity verification, medical screening, property inventory and data entry can delay the result.
The person is listed under another spelling
Try the surname alone, maiden name, former name, alias, suffix or shortened first name.
The In Custody filter is hiding the result
Remove the filter when the person may have been released.
The wrong facility was selected
Repeat the search without limiting it to Birmingham or Bessemer.
Birmingham City Jail has the person
A Birmingham Police municipal detainee may appear in the city custody system before transfer.
The arrest occurred outside Jefferson County
Search the county where the booking happened rather than the person’s home address.
The person was transferred
Custody may have moved to another county, Alabama Department of Corrections or federal custody.
The record is legally restricted
Juvenile, sealed, expunged or otherwise confidential information may not appear.
Missing-booking call script
I am trying to confirm the custody or booking status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is processing, held at Birmingham or Bessemer, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Birmingham Division and Bessemer Division are separate
Birmingham Division
- Jefferson County Jail at 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North.
- Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center at 801 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North.
- District Court criminal information: 205-325-5309.
- Circuit Court criminal information: 205-325-5285.
- Circuit Clerk main contact: 205-325-5355.
Bessemer Division
- Jefferson County Jail at 1822 Second Avenue North.
- Bessemer Justice Center at 1851 Second Avenue North.
- District Court information: 205-497-8520.
- Circuit Court and Clerk information: 205-497-8510.
- Use Bessemer records for cases assigned to that territorial division.
Do not assume Birmingham is correct because the arrest occurred in Jefferson County. Verify the housing facility, court division and case number before calling, visiting or requesting documents.
What happens after a Jefferson County arrest?
Law-enforcement investigation
The Sheriff, Birmingham Police, Hoover Police or another agency creates the incident, offense and arrest records.
Booking and identification
Jail staff record identity, fingerprints, photograph, property, subject number, booking number and received charges.
Initial appearance or bond review
A judge addresses rights, release conditions, counsel and future court proceedings.
District Court proceedings
Misdemeanors are generally tried in District Court. Felony matters can begin with preliminary hearings or related proceedings there.
Grand-jury or felony filing
A felony may proceed to Circuit Court after indictment or another qualifying filing.
Circuit Court case
Felony cases can include arraignment, motions, discovery, plea negotiations, jury trial and sentencing.
Final disposition
Each charge may end by dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, plea, conviction or another court order.
Correction or expungement
Incorrect information can be challenged, while eligible Alabama records may later be expunged.
Which agency has the Jefferson County arrest document?
| Record needed | Likely custodian | Useful identifiers | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current county custody | Jefferson County Sheriff | Name, birth date, subject number and booking number. | Calling the court for current housing. |
| Birmingham Police incident report | Birmingham Police Records Division | BPD case number, date, location and involved person. | Requesting the report from the county jail. |
| Sheriff incident or arrest report | Jefferson County Sheriff | Sheriff report number, booking number and date. | Sending it to Birmingham Police. |
| Hoover or another municipal report | The listed municipal police department | Agency case number, incident date and location. | Assuming the jail created every arrest report. |
| Misdemeanor case | Jefferson County District Court | Court case number, name and birth date. | Searching only Circuit Court. |
| Felony case | Jefferson County Circuit Court | Circuit case number, indictment and defendant details. | Treating a District Court preliminary record as the final felony case. |
| Alabama criminal history | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency | Fingerprints and personal identity documents. | Using a jail search as complete statewide history. |
Request a Birmingham Police incident or offense report
Birmingham Police limits ordinary incident and offense reports to authorized parties. The reporting person or victim can generally request a releasable report. A person listed as the offender cannot obtain the report through the standard purchase process.
Find the Birmingham Police case number
Use paperwork, the court case, a victim advocate or the investigating officer.
Wait for the report to become releasable
Most releasable reports are available within five to seven working days.
Call the Records Division before traveling
Dial 205-254-6308 and have the case number ready.
Confirm that you are an authorized party
Ask what proof of identity and relationship to the incident is required.
Visit during Records Division hours
Reports must be picked up in person with proper identification.
Pay using an accepted method
Birmingham publishes cash, debit card, money order and company-check options. Personal checks are not accepted.
Use a formal public-record request for broader material
Body-camera footage, extensive records or material outside the ordinary report process may require the City Clerk form.
Open Birmingham Public Records Request
| Service | Current price | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Incident or offense report | $10 | Authorized party, in-person pickup and proper identification. |
| Archived report | $25 | Generally includes incident reports before January 2013. |
| Accident report | $10 | Eligibility is controlled by Alabama law. |
| Birmingham city background check | $10 | Covers Birmingham city information, not statewide Alabama history. |
| Fingerprint service | $10 | Confirm card and appointment requirements. |
| Fingerprint card | $10 | Separate from the fingerprint-service fee when both are needed. |
Birmingham Police Records Division
1710 First Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-254-6308
Email: BPDReports@birminghamal.gov
Records hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Background checks: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
1710 First Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-254-6308
Email: BPDReports@birminghamal.gov
Records hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Background checks: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Request a Jefferson County Sheriff record precisely
Confirm the Sheriff created the requested document
Check the booking origin or arresting agency first.
Name the exact record
Ask for the booking sheet, incarceration record, Sheriff incident report, arrest report, mugshot or identified supplement.
Provide the official identifiers
Include full name, birth date, subject number, booking number, date and facility.
Limit the date range
A focused request is easier to locate and less likely to require extensive research.
Request electronic delivery
Ask whether the releasable material can be provided as a PDF.
Ask for a cost estimate
Set a written approval limit before extensive copying or retrieval.
Copy-ready Sheriff records request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable booking record, incarceration record, booking photograph and any Jefferson County Sheriff incident or arrest report concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date]. Known identifiers are subject number [number], booking number [number], booking date [date] and housing facility [Birmingham or Bessemer]. Please provide a written estimate before processing if charges will exceed $[amount].
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Main information: 205-325-5700
Birmingham jail: 205-325-5670
Bessemer jail: 205-481-4160
Main information: 205-325-5700
Birmingham jail: 205-325-5670
Bessemer jail: 205-481-4160
Find the filed charge and final court disposition
District Court criminal case
- Handles most state misdemeanor prosecutions.
- Conducts felony preliminary hearings.
- Can receive certain felony guilty pleas permitted by law.
- Handles traffic matters filed in the state District Court.
Circuit Court criminal case
- Has original jurisdiction over felony prosecutions.
- Conducts felony jury trials.
- Handles related misdemeanor counts arising with felony charges.
- Maintains felony judgments, sentences and post-judgment filings.
Use the docket number from the jail result when available
A case number is safer than a common-name search.
Open Alabama court records
Alacourt Access provides statewide case-information searching.
Open Alabama Court Records
Search the defendant’s complete legal name
Compare birth date, filing date, division and charge.
Confirm Birmingham or Bessemer
Do not combine records from the wrong Jefferson County division.
Find the formal charge
The complaint, information or indictment can differ from the booking wording.
Read docket events in date order
Look for initial appearance, bond, preliminary hearing, grand-jury action, indictment, plea, dismissal, trial and sentence.
Review every count independently
One charge may be dismissed while another remains pending or produces a conviction.
Obtain certified proof when necessary
A court-screen printout may not satisfy an employer, licensing board, immigration lawyer or another court.
Court dates can change frequently. When an online schedule conflicts with a signed court notice or a judge’s direct instruction, follow the court-issued document and confirm with the clerk.
Do not call the jail for an individual court date
Jefferson County states that jail personnel do not maintain individual inmate court-date information. Use the correct criminal court instead.
| Division | Court | Phone | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | District Criminal Court | 205-325-5309 | Misdemeanors, traffic and preliminary felony matters. |
| Birmingham | Circuit Criminal Court | 205-325-5285 | Felony cases and Circuit Court settings. |
| Bessemer | District Criminal Court | 205-497-8520 | Bessemer misdemeanor and preliminary matters. |
| Bessemer | Circuit Court and Clerk | 205-497-8510 | Bessemer felony and Circuit Court information. |
Court-date call script
I am trying to confirm the next criminal court date for [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The Jefferson County booking number is [number], the subject number is [number] and the court case or docket number is [number]. Can you confirm the division, courtroom, date and whether the setting has changed?
Check a Jefferson County or Birmingham warrant safely
Identify whether the matter is county or municipal
A state felony or misdemeanor case differs from a Birmingham ordinance or municipal case.
Search the related court docket
Look for warrant issued, served, recalled, withdrawn or quashed.
Read the newest docket entry
Do not rely on an old warrant event when a later order appears.
Contact the correct clerk or law-enforcement agency
Use the Birmingham or Bessemer court division handling the case.
For a Birmingham municipal warrant, contact the Magistrate’s Office
The office is located at 808 18th Street North and publishes weekday public hours of 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Open Birmingham Magistrate Information
Use a lawyer when the warrant concerns you
Counsel can explain appearance, surrender, bond and case-resolution options.
Never confront or attempt to detain another person. Similar names, recalled warrants and delayed updates can create dangerous mistakes.
Scam warning: Do not pay an unexpected warrant demand using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or a text-message payment link. Call the court or agency using an independently verified number.
Confirm every charge before arranging a Jefferson County bond
Cash bond
The full amount is deposited subject to court and refund rules.
Professional surety
An authorized bonding company posts the bond under a written fee and collateral agreement.
Property bond
Qualifying property and owner documentation may be required under the current court or Sheriff procedure.
Pretrial release
An eligible defendant may be evaluated for release under court-approved conditions.
Verify the defendant’s subject and booking numbers
Match the date of birth before arranging payment.
Write down every charge
A booking can contain several separate bonds.
Identify no-bond matters and holds
A warrant, probation matter, federal detainer or another jurisdiction can prevent release.
Confirm the newest court order
Bond can change after the jail result first appears.
Call the correct jail
Birmingham: 205-325-5670. Bessemer: 205-481-4160.
Ask about pretrial release
Birmingham Pre-Trial Release: 205-325-5716. Bessemer Pre-Trial Release: 205-481-8529.
Verify any bonding company independently
Obtain the fee, collateral, refund and failure-to-appear terms in writing.
Keep all receipts and agreements
Record the defendant, booking, case, payer, payment and bond-company details.
Bond call script
I am calling about [full legal name], date of birth [date], subject number [number] and booking number [number]. Please confirm every active charge, each bond amount and type, every hold or detainer, the posting location and the accepted payment method.
Confirm the jail location before traveling
Jefferson County Jail – Birmingham
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, AL 35203-0122
Birmingham, AL 35203-0122
Main: 205-325-5670
Administration: 205-325-5772
Pretrial Release: 205-325-5716
Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer
1822 Second Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Bessemer, AL 35020
Main: 205-481-4160
Administration: 205-481-8502
Pretrial Release: 205-481-8529
Exact legal name
Date of birth
Subject number
Booking number
Housing facility
Every charge
Every bond or hold
Court division and docket number
Visit the correct jail on the correct surname day
Birmingham jail visitation
| Day | Inmate last name | Published visiting time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | A, B and C | 6:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Tuesday | D, E, F and G | 6:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Wednesday | H, I, J, K and L | 6:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Thursday | M, N, O, P and Q | 6:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Friday | R, S and T | 6:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Saturday | U, V, W, X, Y and Z | 6:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
Bessemer jail visitation
| Day | Housing or last-name group | Published visiting time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | A–G | 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. |
| Saturday | H–Q | 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | R–Z | 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | Protective Custody | 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. |
| Odd Saturday | Maximum Security 1 | 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. |
| Even Sunday | Maximum Security 2 | 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. |
Search the inmate immediately before the visit
Confirm current custody and Birmingham or Bessemer housing.
Match the surname to the schedule
Use the inmate’s listed last name, not a visitor’s surname.
Call the jail before traveling
Confirm whether the visit requires registration, an approved visitor list or a particular arrival time.
Ask about minors and visitor limits
Facility-specific entry requirements can change.
Bring original government-issued identification
Do not rely on a photograph or copy stored on a phone.
Arrive early
Screening, parking and check-in can reduce available visiting time.
Avoid being refused at the jail entrance
Confirm the inmate is still in custody
Confirm Birmingham or Bessemer housing
Use the correct surname schedule
Bring original valid photo identification
Wear conservative, non-revealing clothing
Leave unnecessary property in the vehicle
Ask about minor-visitor documentation
Follow staff screening instructions
Visits can be delayed, shortened or cancelled because of court movement, lockdown, classification, discipline, staffing or an emergency. Call the jail before a long trip.
Confirm the current mail rules before sending documents
Jefferson County’s public jail page does not publish a complete current personal-mail and legal-mail handbook. Confirm the exact mailing address and current restrictions directly with the Birmingham or Bessemer jail before sending irreplaceable material.
Verify current custody and facility
An inmate can move between Birmingham, Bessemer or another jurisdiction.
Call for the current mailing format
Ask whether the envelope must include the subject number, booking number or housing unit.
Use the inmate’s exact booked name
Do not use a nickname or an unverified alias.
Include a complete return address
Mail without sender identification may be rejected.
Do not send cash or irreplaceable originals
Use the approved inmate-account process for money.
Confirm publication and photograph rules
Ask whether books must come directly from a publisher and whether photograph size or quantity is limited.
Use attorney procedures for legal mail
Privileged legal correspondence can have separate address and labeling requirements.
Confirm the approved communication provider with the jail
Inmates normally initiate outgoing calls
Ordinary jail calls may be monitored or recorded
A prepaid account may be required
Blocked numbers may require provider assistance
Housing or discipline can restrict call access
Attorney calls require privileged procedures
Do not discuss alleged facts, witnesses, evidence or defense strategy on an ordinary inmate telephone call. Assume non-privileged jail communications can be monitored.
Verify the inmate and facility
Have the subject number and booking number available.
Ask which provider currently serves the facility
Provider contracts, websites, rates and account rules can change.
Create the correct account type
Confirm whether funds belong on the receiving telephone account or inmate account.
Keep the transaction confirmation
Save the funded phone number, date, amount and receipt.
Contact the Public Defender for privileged case communication
Family calls should not be used to relay confidential legal strategy.
Verify the current deposit method before sending money
Jefferson County’s public jail page does not provide a complete current online deposit-provider guide. Do not use a third-party payment website merely because it appears in a general web search.
Search the inmate again
Confirm the exact name, subject number, booking number and facility.
Call the Birmingham or Bessemer jail
Ask for the approved online, telephone, kiosk or mailed-deposit method.
Ask which identifier the provider requires
A subject number and booking number are not interchangeable.
Confirm deposit limits and fees
Ask about daily limits, card charges, refunds and release handling.
Do not mail loose cash
Use only the payment form and address confirmed by jail staff.
Keep proof of payment
Save the inmate identifier, date, amount, provider and transaction number.
Deposit-method call script
I need the current approved method to deposit funds for [full legal name], subject number [number], booking number [number]. Please confirm the provider, required identifier, deposit limit, fee and whether the person is housed at Birmingham or Bessemer.
Report a serious concern to the correct facility
Have the inmate identifiers ready
Provide the exact name, birth date, subject number, booking number and facility.
Describe the specific concern
State symptoms, medication, recent statements, known diagnosis or immediate risk.
Call the correct jail switchboard
Ask that the information be routed to medical, mental-health or supervisory staff.
Explain urgency clearly
Distinguish an immediate safety threat from a routine medication or treatment question.
Use emergency services for an outside emergency
Call 911 when immediate police, fire or medical help is required outside the facility.
Request appointed counsel in the Jefferson County case
A defendant who cannot afford a private attorney can ask the court to determine eligibility for appointed counsel. The judge—not the family—makes the appointment.
Ask for counsel at the first court appearance
Clearly state that the defendant cannot afford private representation.
Complete the financial affidavit
Provide accurate information about income, assets, household obligations and expenses.
Confirm whether the Public Defender was appointed
Check the docket or ask the clerk handling the case.
Contact the Jefferson County Public Defender after appointment
Have the defendant’s name, birth date, subject number, case number, court and next date ready.
Do not discuss case strategy on family calls
Use attorney-approved privileged communication.
Use a lawyer-referral service when not eligible
The Jefferson County Law Library can provide bar-association referral telephone numbers.
Jefferson County Public Defender
Main: 205-588-4220
Main: 205-588-4220
Jefferson County Law Library
Phone: 205-325-5628
Phone: 205-325-5628
Get court support and case information from the District Attorney
Have the report and court case numbers ready
Also provide the defendant’s name and the arresting agency.
Contact a Victim Services Officer
VSOs assist victims, families and witnesses before, during and after the court process.
Ask about court-event information
Request help understanding hearings, plea proceedings, sentencing and restitution.
Update your contact information
A changed phone number, email or address can interrupt notice.
Use the specialized sexual-assault contact when applicable
Survivors can ask about law-enforcement or District Attorney case status.
Ask about Alabama Crime Victims Compensation
A victim advocate can explain the application, documentation and eligible expenses.
Jefferson County District Attorney Victim Assistance
Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-325-5260
Email: vso@jccal.org
Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-325-5260
Email: vso@jccal.org
Sexual-assault case-status assistance
Phone: 205-325-1423
Phone: 205-325-1423
Choose a Birmingham, Jefferson County or statewide check
| Check | Scope | Current published cost | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Police background check | Birmingham city records | $10 | A local Birmingham-city record request. |
| Jefferson County court search | Cases filed in Jefferson County courts | Portal or clerk charges vary | Finding misdemeanor or felony filings and dispositions. |
| ALEA personal review | Fingerprint-supported Alabama criminal history | $25; additional copy $5 | Reviewing your own statewide Alabama record. |
| Authorized employer ABC check | Alabama records available to qualifying subscribed employers | Program-dependent | Legally authorized employment screening. |
A name-only local search can match the wrong person. Use fingerprints when identity accuracy is critical.
Obtain your fingerprint-supported ALEA record
Open the ALEA criminal-record instructions
Use the Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information.
Open ALEA Criminal Records
Complete the personal-review application
Enter the requested legal name, identity and mailing information accurately.
Obtain fingerprints
Follow the current ALEA fingerprint-card instructions.
Include a current photo-identification copy
Ensure the copy is readable.
Prepare the current $25 payment
ALEA publishes money order or cashier’s-check payment. Each additional copy is $5.
Submit in person or by mail
Follow the current address and packet instructions.
Compare every arrest with the court disposition
Look for missing, incomplete or incorrect outcome information.
ALEA Criminal Records
In person: 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Mail: P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Phone: 334-676-7897
Program support: 866-740-4762
In person: 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Mail: P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Phone: 334-676-7897
Program support: 866-740-4762
Correct the office that owns the inaccurate entry
Identify which system is wrong
Compare the jail result, police report, District or Circuit Court file and ALEA record.
Save the incorrect result
Record the date viewed, URL, subject number, booking number, report number and court case.
Obtain controlling proof
Use a certified dismissal, judgment, amended order, identity document or agency correction.
Correct police information through the arresting agency
Birmingham Police, the Sheriff or another department controls its original report.
Correct court information through the clerk
The Birmingham or Bessemer clerk must address an incorrect court entry or missing disposition.
Challenge the ALEA history when necessary
Follow the personal-review and record-challenge instructions with fingerprints and certified proof.
Recheck every connected system
Updating the court does not guarantee immediate correction of the jail site or a private background report.
Correction and expungement are different. Correction fixes factually inaccurate information. Expungement removes or restricts an accurate record that qualifies under Alabama law.
Prepare a Jefferson County petition with complete records
An expungement is granted by an Alabama court, not by ALEA. ALEA provides criminal-history records and processes a granted order but does not decide eligibility.
Obtain a certified ALEA criminal-history record
Alabama’s expungement guidance directs applicants to begin with a certified criminal-history record.
Collect every Jefferson County case number
Include Birmingham and Bessemer matters connected to the arrest.
Obtain certified court dispositions
Collect dismissal, acquittal, nolle prosequi, conviction, pardon or other final documents for every charge.
Review the entire arrest transaction
One connected charge can affect the eligibility of the full arrest.
Select the correct Alabama petition
Use the official Petition for Expungement of Records and its instructions.
Open ALEA Expungement Guidance
Identify every agency holding the record
Include the arresting agency, Jefferson County Sheriff, District Attorney, court clerk and ALEA.
File in the proper Jefferson County court
Confirm Birmingham or Bessemer filing location, service requirements, current filing fee and payment method.
Serve the required parties
Follow the petition instructions for the prosecutor and law-enforcement agencies.
Attend the hearing when required
Bring certified dispositions and supporting documents.
Obtain certified copies of the granted order
Keep copies for government agencies and private background-report disputes.
Verify every system after processing
Recheck the Sheriff inquiry, court record and ALEA history.
Expungement may not remove an independently published news report, screenshot or private archive. Keep the certified order for future correction and suppression requests.
Jefferson County Alabama jail, court and records contacts
Jefferson County Sheriff
General Sheriff and county-custody routing.
Birmingham Jail
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Bessemer Jail
1822 Second Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Bessemer, AL 35020
Birmingham Police Records
1710 First Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham Circuit Clerk
Confirm criminal case and document routing.
Bessemer Circuit Clerk
Bessemer court and clerk information.
Jefferson County Public Defender
Contact after court appointment.
District Attorney – Birmingham
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Victim Assistance
ALEA Criminal Records
Statewide personal record review and correction.
Map to Jefferson County Jail Birmingham
Map to Jefferson County Jail Bessemer
Map to Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
Confirm before traveling: Verify the facility, Birmingham or Bessemer division, office hours, identification requirements, accepted payment and whether an appointment is required.
What this guide explains before the final live action
Search and identity
Current-versus-past booking searches, subject and booking numbers, Birmingham-versus-Bessemer routing, result fields, identity checks and missing-result troubleshooting.
Jail and family help
Facility contacts, official visitation schedules, bond and pretrial contacts, mail safeguards, call monitoring, deposit verification and medical-concern routing.
Court and record help
District-versus-Circuit jurisdiction, police reports and fees, court-date contacts, victim services, appointed counsel, ALEA review, correction and expungement.
Jefferson County Alabama arrest-record questions answered
How do I search current Jefferson County inmates?
Open the official Sheriff inmate inquiry, enter the name and select In Custody. Verify the subject number, booking number, birth date and facility.
How do I find a previous Jefferson County booking?
Remove the In Custody restriction and search by name or booking-date range. Open each separate booking history.
How do I know whether the inmate is in Birmingham or Bessemer?
Read the Housing Facility field in the inmate result and call that jail before visiting or sending money.
Where do I find the final criminal charge?
Use Jefferson County District Court for most misdemeanors and preliminary felony proceedings, and Circuit Court for felony prosecutions.
How do I get a Birmingham Police report?
Call BPD Records at 205-254-6308 with the case number. Authorized parties must generally pick up releasable reports in person with identification.
How much is a Birmingham Police incident report?
The current published fee is $10. Archived reports currently cost $25.
When can I visit the Birmingham jail?
Visits are Monday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m., with the assigned day determined by the inmate’s last name.
When can I visit the Bessemer jail?
Visits are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays by surname or housing classification. Check the table above and call before traveling.
How much does an ALEA personal criminal-history review cost?
ALEA currently publishes a $25 fee, with each additional copy costing $5.
Can a Jefferson County arrest be expunged?
Some Alabama arrests and court records qualify under Alabama Code Section 15-27. Obtain the ALEA history and certified dispositions before filing in the proper court.
