Lauderdale County Criminal Records
What Is Lauderdale County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Lauderdale County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.
A fundamental distinction exists between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of criminal liability. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or jury/bench trial verdict. Under Alabama law, an arrest that does not result in conviction may be eligible for expungement pursuant to § 15-27-1 of the Code of Alabama, which governs the expungement of criminal records for qualifying individuals.
Felony records document offenses classified as the most serious under Alabama law, carrying potential sentences of one year or more in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses typically punishable by fines or confinement in a county jail for less than one year. Juvenile records are treated separately under Alabama law and are generally sealed from public access to protect the privacy of minors, though certain serious juvenile adjudications may be transferred to adult court and become part of the public record.
Active warrant records reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's arrest and are maintained as current, actionable documents. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved through the court system.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Lauderdale County include:
- Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail rosters
- Lauderdale County Circuit Court — maintains felony case files, dispositions, and sentencing records
- Lauderdale County District Court — maintains misdemeanor and traffic case records
- Florence Police Department — maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city limits
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — maintains statewide criminal history records through the Criminal Justice Information Center
Criminal records typically contain documentation of charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and any subsequent probation or parole conditions imposed by the court.
Lauderdale County Circuit and District Court 200 South Court Street, Florence, AL 35630 (256) 760-5800 Lauderdale County Circuit and District Court
Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office 655 South Court Street, Florence, AL 35630 (256) 760-5757 Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office
Are Criminal Records Public In Lauderdale County
Criminal records in Lauderdale County are generally accessible to members of the public under Alabama's open records framework. The Alabama Open Records Act, § 36-12-40 of the Code of Alabama, establishes that all public records shall be open for inspection by any citizen of Alabama. This statute provides the foundational legal authority for public access to government-maintained documents, including criminal justice records.
Under current law, the following categories of criminal records are available for public inspection:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court case filings, docket entries, and hearing schedules
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by law enforcement agencies
- Sex offender registration information as required by the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act
Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure under state and federal law. These include:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could compromise law enforcement operations
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed by default under Alabama law
- Expunged records, which are legally removed from public access following a court order
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records associated with diversion programs
- Victim identifying information in cases involving sexual offenses or domestic violence
Members of the public seeking access to court records may inspect available case information through the Alabama Unified Judicial System's online portal or by visiting the Lauderdale County Courthouse in person during regular business hours.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lauderdale County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Lauderdale County through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for accessing records through each principal agency.
Through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA):
- Submit a completed Criminal History Record Request to ALEA's Criminal Justice Information Center
- Provide the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number where available
- Pay the applicable processing fee (currently $25.00 for a name-based search)
- Requests may be submitted online through the ALEA portal or by mail to the address below
- Results are typically returned within 3–5 business days for online requests
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Criminal Justice Information Center 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 353-4340 Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Through the Lauderdale County Circuit/District Court Clerk:
- Visit the Clerk's Office at the Lauderdale County Courthouse during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Request a case search by providing the subject's full name and date of birth
- Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee per page as established by the court
- Written requests may be submitted by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope and applicable fees
Through the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office:
- Submit a public records request in writing to the Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of arrest if known
- Requests are processed pursuant to the Alabama Open Records Act
How To Find Criminal Records in Lauderdale County Online?
Several official online portals provide access to Lauderdale County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Alabama Alacourt.gov — Case Search Portal The Alabama Unified Judicial System operates Alacourt.gov, the official statewide court case management system. Members of the public may search for case information by name, case number, or attorney. The portal contains:
- Circuit and District Court case filings and docket entries
- Charge information and case dispositions
- Scheduled hearing dates
- Judgment and sentencing information
A free public access version is available; however, full document retrieval and certified copies require registration and payment of applicable fees.
Lauderdale County Jail Roster The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster on its official website, listing individuals currently held in the county detention facility. The roster includes the detainee's name, booking date, charges, and bond information. No registration is required to view the current roster.
ALEA Sex Offender Registry The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains the statewide sex offender registry, which is searchable by name, ZIP code, or county. This database is publicly accessible without registration and is updated regularly.
Alabama Court Records — Public Access The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides online access to court records through its case search interface. Users may search by party name or case number. Certain case types, including juvenile matters and sealed records, are not accessible through the public portal.
Can You Search Lauderdale County Criminal Records for Free?
Under the Alabama Open Records Act, § 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect public records at no charge. The right of inspection is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which agencies may charge a reasonable fee.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection at the Lauderdale County Circuit/District Court Clerk's Office — members of the public may review case files and docket entries without charge during regular business hours
- Alacourt.gov public case search — basic case information, including charges and dispositions, is searchable at no cost
- Lauderdale County Jail Roster — the current inmate roster is freely accessible on the Sheriff's Office website
- ALEA Sex Offender Registry — publicly searchable at no charge
- Court docket entries — viewable online through the Alabama Unified Judicial System portal without registration
Fees apply when requesting certified copies of court documents, official criminal history reports from ALEA, or background check certifications for employment or licensing purposes.
What's Included in a Lauderdale County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record in Lauderdale County may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and compiled into a comprehensive criminal history. The specific contents vary depending on the source of the record.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by ALEA
- FBI Number assigned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Name of the detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Circuit or District)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges as filed, including applicable Alabama Code sections and felony/misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record (defense and prosecution)
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date where applicable
- Sentencing details, including type of sentence (incarceration, probation, suspended sentence), length, fines, restitution ordered, and special conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole supervision status
Additional Record Elements:
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in District Court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Lauderdale County Keep Criminal Records?
Lauderdale County agencies retain criminal records in accordance with the Alabama Department of Archives and History records retention schedules and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and maintaining agency.
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | 5 years minimum; subject to expungement |
| Court case files (felony) | Permanent |
| Court case files (misdemeanor) | 10 years after final disposition |
| Juvenile records (sealed) | Until subject reaches age 28 or as ordered |
| Jail booking records | 5 years |
| Probation/parole records | 5 years after discharge |
The Alabama Department of Archives and History publishes the official Local Government Records Commission retention schedules, which govern the minimum periods for which county agencies must preserve official records. Permanent records are maintained indefinitely and may be transferred to archival storage.
Expungement orders issued pursuant to § 15-27-1 of the Code of Alabama direct the sealing and removal of qualifying records from public access, though law enforcement agencies may retain sealed records in restricted systems as permitted by law.
Alabama Department of Archives and History 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130 (334) 242-4435 Alabama Department of Archives and History