Mobile County Criminal Records
What Is Mobile County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Mobile County encompass the official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-13-1, which establishes requirements for the creation and maintenance of public records.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Mobile County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Documentation of criminal proceedings in the Mobile County Circuit and District Courts
- Incarceration Records: Information about individuals currently or previously held in Mobile County detention facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody but do not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
Criminal records in Mobile County are maintained by several agencies:
Mobile County Sheriff's Office
510 South Royal Street
Mobile, AL 36603
(251) 574-8040
Mobile County Sheriff's Office
Mobile County Circuit Court - Criminal Division
205 Government Street, Room C-927 North Tower
Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-8430
Mobile County Circuit Court
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
301 South Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 517-2800
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Juvenile records are generally sealed under Alabama Code § 12-15-134 and are not accessible to the public, with limited exceptions for certain government agencies and court proceedings.
Are Criminal Records Public In Mobile County
Criminal records in Mobile County are generally considered public information under the Alabama Open Records Act, codified in Alabama Code § 36-12-40, which states:
"Every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."
This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are accessible to the public. However, several important exceptions and limitations apply:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are typically exempt from disclosure until the investigation concludes
- Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not available to the public
- Juvenile Records: Records involving minors are generally confidential under Alabama law
- Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
Adult conviction records and court proceedings are generally public in Mobile County. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama, which serves Mobile County, maintains records of criminal cases that are accessible to the public through both in-person requests and online systems.
Law enforcement agencies in Mobile County, including the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, maintain arrest records, booking information, and jail rosters that are accessible to the public. The Sheriff's Office provides online access to current inmate information and recent booking records through their Who's in Jail database.
While many criminal records are public, certain sensitive information within these records may be redacted, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain medical information.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Mobile County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Mobile County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:
In-Person Requests at the Mobile County Circuit Court:
- Visit the Mobile County Circuit Court Criminal Division during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number
- Pay applicable fees for copies of records (currently $1.00 per page)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
Mobile County Sheriff's Office Records:
- Visit the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office headquarters
- Submit a completed records request form
- Provide specific information about the record being requested
- Pay applicable fees for document reproduction
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Background Checks:
- Submit fingerprints through an approved fingerprinting service
- Complete an Alabama Background Check application form
- Pay the required fee (currently $25 for a name-based search or $38 for a fingerprint-based search)
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing name-based searches or 7-10 days for fingerprint-based searches
Mail Requests:
- Send a written request to the appropriate agency (Court Clerk or Sheriff's Office)
- Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and specific information being requested
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees
- Include a copy of your government-issued photo identification
For certified copies of court records, requestors must specify this requirement when submitting their request. Additional authentication fees may apply for certified documents.
How To Find Criminal Records in Mobile County Online?
Mobile County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient access to various types of criminal records without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
AlaCourt - Alabama's Unified Judicial System:
- Visit the Alabama Judicial System website
- Register for an account (requires email address and creation of username/password)
- Select "Mobile County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or filing date)
- Pay applicable search fees ($9.99 per name search for non-attorneys)
- View case summaries, charges, dispositions, and scheduled court dates
Mobile County Sheriff's Office Online Resources:
- Who's in Jail Database - Provides current inmate information including charges, booking date, and bond information
- 24-Hour Booking - Lists individuals booked into Mobile County Metro Jail within the past 24 hours
- Warrant Search - Allows users to search for active warrants in Mobile County
Mobile County Probate Court Records:
- Visit the Mobile County Probate Court Records Search
- Search by name, document type, or date range
- Access non-criminal records including property records, marriage licenses, and business filings
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Online Services:
- The ALEA Online Services portal provides access to various criminal justice information
- Users can request criminal history reports, sex offender registry information, and other law enforcement data
- Some services require registration and payment of fees
It is important to note that while many records are available online, certain documents may only be accessible through in-person requests. Additionally, online systems may not contain complete historical records, as some older records may not have been digitized.
Can You Search Mobile County Criminal Records for Free?
Alabama law provides for public inspection of criminal records at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect public records without charge, though reasonable fees may be assessed for reproduction.
Free In-Person Inspection Locations:
Mobile County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
205 Government Street, Room C-927 North Tower
Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-8430
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Mobile County Sheriff's Office
510 South Royal Street
Mobile, AL 36603
(251) 574-8040
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Members of the public may visit these locations during regular business hours to inspect criminal records without charge. Staff will assist in locating records, though wait times may vary depending on staff availability and request volume.
Free Online Resources:
Several online resources provide free access to certain criminal record information:
- The Mobile County Sheriff's Office provides free access to their Who's in Jail database, which shows current inmates and their charges
- The 24-Hour Booking log is available at no cost and displays recent arrests
- The Warrant Search tool allows free searches for active warrants in Mobile County
While these resources are available without charge, they provide limited information compared to comprehensive criminal history reports. The free online resources typically do not include case dispositions, sentencing details, or historical records.
For more comprehensive searches, fees typically apply:
- AlaCourt charges $9.99 per name search for non-attorneys
- Certified copies from the Circuit Court cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency background checks cost $25-$38 depending on the type of search
What's Included in a Mobile County Criminal Record?
Mobile County criminal records contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility location
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit or District)
- Charges filed by the prosecutor
- Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to the case
- Court appearance dates
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of records may vary depending on the source. Court records typically contain the most detailed information about case proceedings and outcomes, while law enforcement records focus more on arrest details and charges.
How Long Does Mobile County Keep Criminal Records?
Mobile County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Alabama Department of Archives and History, as mandated by Alabama Code § 41-13-23. These schedules specify how long different types of records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
Court Records Retention:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 25 years after case closure
- Traffic case files: 10 years after case closure
- Grand jury records: Permanent retention
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanent retention
- Probation records: 10 years after completion of probation
Law Enforcement Records Retention:
- Arrest reports: 20 years
- Incident reports: 5 years for minor offenses, 20 years for major offenses
- Investigation files: 5 years after case closure for unsolved cases, 20 years for solved cases
- Booking photographs: 75 years
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
- Sex offender registration records: Permanent retention
Corrections Records Retention:
- Inmate files: 10 years after release
- Jail logs and booking records: 7 years
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
It is important to note that while records may be maintained according to these schedules, they may not always be readily accessible in their original format. Older records may be archived or stored in formats that require additional time to retrieve. Some historical records may have been microfilmed or digitized, while others remain in paper format only.
Criminal records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access, though certain law enforcement and judicial agencies may retain limited access to these records for official purposes only.
Lookup Criminal Records in Mobile County
Mobile County Sheriff's inmate database
Mobile County recent booking information
Search for active warrants in Mobile County
Mobile County Probate Court records search
Mobile County Circuit Court criminal records