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  1. Houston County Court
  2. Houston County Arrest Records

Houston County, Alabama Arrest Records

Houston County arrest records are official administrative documents created and maintained by the Houston County Sheriff's Office, Dothan Police Department, Ashford Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies in Houston County, AL. These files track individuals detained and booked for alleged offenses or active arrest warrants.

Generally, arrest records ensure that law enforcement officers remain accountable, transparent, and compliant with due process when they arrest suspects or wanted persons. Additionally, arrest records foster public awareness about local criminal activities.

Houston County arrest records are public documents under Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code. This legislation outlines how individuals can access the state's government records, including Houston County arrest records. Beyond basic arrest details, Alabama regulates access to comprehensive criminal offender records information under a separate legal framework. In Alabama, the collection and dissemination of criminal history records information is codified under Section 41-9-620 et seq. of the Alabama Code, with law enforcement database collection procedures outlined in Section 41-9-625.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Houston, Alabama?

Yes, arrest records are public information in Houston County. According to Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code, Alabama residents have the right to inspect or copy government records (including Houston County arrest records) unless an exemption applies.

Under Alabama law, access to public records is limited to the state's residents. Consequently, a request to access Houston County arrest records must be submitted in formal writing and include the requester's name, contact address, and valid state-issued photo identification. Additionally, requesters must cover any applicable administrative and copying fees required to process their requests.

What Do Public Houston County Arrest Records Contain?

A Houston County arrest record contains basic details of an arrest by a local law enforcement agency. Generally, arrest records provide basic details about the apprehension and detention of individuals while protecting their subjects' privacy rights. Typically, a Houston County arrest record displays:

  • The subject's full name, known aliases, and date of birth or age
  • Booking number and local facility number
  • Date and time of booking
  • Charges or alleged violations
  • Name of the arresting agency
  • Bail and bond status
  • Custody location.

While Alabama classifies arrest records as public information, unauthorized entities cannot access Houston County arrest records that relate to:

Houston County, Alabama Arrest Search

Information seekers can use state and federal tools and resources to access Houston County arrest records. For $25.00, authorized individuals or entities can submit an Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information (ALEA CJIS Form 46), along with fingerprints and photo identification, to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Justice Information Services Division to access arrest data through state criminal history records.

Interested parties can also search for Houston County arrest records linked to criminal cases through the Alabama State Judiciary's AlaCourt System. Additionally, the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal provides access to Houston County federal case records. Users can search for details of Houston County federal arrests through criminal case dockets generated by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Individuals can also request FBI Identity History Summary Checks to access their rap sheets.

Houston County Inmate Locator

In Houston County, the Sheriff's Office provides an official tool for tracking individuals incarcerated at the local jail. The Houston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides access to the arrest records of individuals in confinement at Houston County Jail. Houston County jail roster is accessible through the "Inmate Search" link on the Houston County Sheriff's Office website.

For offline access to Houston County inmate arrest records, interested parties should contact the Houston County Sheriff's Office or the Houston County Jail through the following contacts:

Houston County Sheriff's Office

411 N. Foster Street,

Dothan,

AL 36303

Phone: (334) 677-4882

Houston County Jail

901 East Main Street,

Dothan,

AL 36303

Phone: (334) 712-0762.

Houston County also operates an alternative sentencing facility that houses eligible low-risk offenders. Individuals seeking information about inmates at the Houston County Work Release Facility/Community Corrections Center should call (334) 671-8725 or visit the facility at:

164 N. Oates Street,

Dothan,

AL 36303.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Houston County

There are online and offline options for accessing Houston County arrest records. The Houston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides free access to Houston County arrest records through the county's inmate roster. Record seekers can also search for arrest information for free through press releases and media blotters on local police departments' websites, or use Public Access Terminals at the Houston County Courthouse to search criminal case records. Individuals who prefer in-person access to Houston County arrest records should visit the Houston County Sheriff's Office or local police departments and request free viewing access to arrest logs.

Although free resources are available for accessing arrest records in Houston County, inquirers should note the practical limits of free-tier searches. Free websites do provide access to unredacted materials or archived historical records. Additionally, while free access to Houston County arrest records does not require an ID, inquirers must provide search parameters that match their requests.

Houston County Arrest Report

Houston County arrest reports are distinct from arrest records. These documents are local law enforcement records created by arresting officers immediately after arrests. While Houston County arrest records are summary administrative data, a typical Houston County arrest report provides a factual, comprehensive firsthand account of a specific arrest. A Houston County arrest report contains:

  • The arresting officer's notes, including observations upon arriving at the scene
  • Evidence log
  • Victim and witness statements
  • A probable cause statement outlining the legal reasons for the arrest.

Under Alabama law, arrest reports are generally not public records. Law enforcement agencies heavily redact or completely restrict public access to Houston County arrest reports. Additionally, unlike Houston County arrest records, which are accessible online, individuals seeking access to Houston County arrest reports must submit formal written requests to the local arresting agencies.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Houston County

Alabama permits expungement of criminal records. Section 15-27-1 et seq. of the Alabama Code (Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment and Eliminate Recidivism (REDEEMER) Act) governs the expungement of arrest records in the state. Individuals can petition the Houston County Circuit Court to expunge their non-conviction arrest records after observing the following statutory waiting periods:

  • Acquittal, dismissal with prejudice, or Grand Jury No-Bill - 90 days
  • Dismissal without prejudice (misdemeanor arrests) - 1 year
  • Dismissal without prejudice (felony arrests) - 5 years
  • Completion of pretrial diversion program - 1 year.

Alabama permits individuals to expunge up to 2 eligible misdemeanor convictions in a lifetime, provided petitioners observe a 3-year waiting period from the dates they complete their sentence requirements, pay all court-imposed fines, and have no subsequent arrests. Under Alabama law, expungement of a felony conviction record requires a Pardon with Restoration of Civil Rights from the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles in addition to a 180-day post-pardon waiting period.

To expunge a Houston County arrest record:

  • Obtain certified copies of official documentation of the arrest and its disposition.
  • Download and complete a Form CR-65 (Petition for Expungement of Records).
  • File the expungement form along with an affidavit confirming eligibility for expungement with the Houston County Circuit Clerk.
  • Serve a notice of the petition to the 20th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the arresting law enforcement agency.
  • If no objection is filed, the judge may grant expungement without a hearing. The Houston County Circuit Clerk will forward copies of the order to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Houston County Sheriff's Office, and local law enforcement agencies to update their databases. If the District Attorney's Office or the victim files a written objection, attend a formal court hearing to counter objections and answer answers questions.

How Do You Remove Houston County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Removing a Houston County arrest record from the internet requires a court-ordered expungement. However, this legal process alone may not completely clear the arrest details from online platforms. An expunged arrest record may still appear on third-party websites. Hence, to ensure that a Houston County arrest record does not appear online after its expungement, affected persons may also need to:

  • Identify and submit removal requests along with copies of the expungement order and valid government-issued identification to all third-party online publishers of the arrest record.
  • Submit formal de-indexing requests to search engines to ensure that cached versions of the record do not appear in search results after its deletion. The de-indexing requests should include the URLs publishing the arrest information.