Baldwin County Arrest Records

Baldwin County arrest records are the official documentation of a person’s arrest, detention, initial arraignment, and bail (if applicable). They also contain the arrestee’s personal information, age, date of birth, and alleged offense for which the arrest was made.

Alabama law authorizes law enforcement officers to apprehend someone if there is an existing warrant for their arrest. In some cases, an arrest is permissible if the offender was spotted at the crime scene or reported by a citizen or resident.

Interested parties seeking to retrieve these records for personal or official purposes may query the arresting agency during business hours. Also, people interested in the outcome of an arrest can visit the county clerk’s office to review Baldwin County court records. In general, arrest records play a huge role during an expungement process, and for arguing legal grounds for a person’s restriction of movement.

Are Arrest Records Public in Baldwin County?

Yes. Arrest records are a large component of public records in Alabama. Per the Alabama Open Records Law § 36-12-40, government-owned entities are expected to indulge the public requests of anyone seeking to view or obtain copies of public records within the jurisdiction. Likewise, law enforcement agencies may disseminate documented detention reports on request.

Albeit certain exceptions may apply. This includes the following:

• Sensitive Investigative Information - Under Ala. Code § 12-21-3.1, law enforcement agencies may not disclose confidential criminal intelligence materials gathered during a critical investigation where disclosure may affect a person’s chances of getting fair justice.
• Confidential information - This includes sensitive details in connection to a person’s arrest, such as their mental health history, medical information, and financial record. Other vital information restricted by state and federal codes is ultimately redacted from public access.
• Juvenile Arrest Records- Juvenile arrest information, criminal history records, medical information, probation records, and case proceedings are not disclosed to the general public under Ala. Code § 12-15-133.
• Expunged Records - Once an arrest record is expunged per court order and state statute, members of the public do not have a fundamental right to peruse or duplicate copies of the information. Any officer who releases such information without a court order may be charged with a misdemeanor.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Baldwin law enforcement agencies may grant unrestricted access to necessary arrest records within the boundaries of the Alabama Open Records Law, Code of Alabama 1975. Hence, individuals may find details of an arrest, alleged offense, circumstances surrounding the arrest, and outcome of the arrest.

The following information is familiar:

• The arrestee’s legal name, physical descriptors such as height, weight, gender, race, date of birth, age at the time of arrest, scars, tattoos, and hair and eye color.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest, alleged offense description, and charge degree level.
• Booking information, such as booking number, age on booking date, booking date
• Name of the arresting agency, the arresting officer’s name, and badge number.
• The arrestee’s fingerprints, mugshots, booking date and time.
• Case number, and presiding court.
• Bail or bond amount (if applicable)

Baldwin County Crime Rate

According to the 2022 Crime Report compiled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) on the Alabama Crime Reports Dashboard, Baldwin County law enforcement reported 2, 377 instances of crimes. This is a rate of 24,837 per 100,000 residents.

Property crimes made up a total of 2.200, while violent crimes came second with a total of 177. There were 1,922 larceny crimes, 196 burglary cases, and 151 assault incidents in the top three recurring offenses within the jurisdiction. The rest are motor vehicle theft (82), robbery (12), rape (10), and homicide 94).

Baldwin County Arrest Statistics

Per the 2022 arrest data table, Baldwin County recorded 7,705 arrests within the same year. Of this number, adults made up 7,345 arrests, while juveniles accounted for 360 arrests.

There were 575 Part I adult arrests (aggravated assaults, homicides, robberies, and forcible rapes), and 6,770 Part II adult arrests (drug abuse, liquor, drug sale, and possession). On the other hand, Part I juvenile arrests accounted for 74 incidents while Part II arrests were 286 occurrences.

Find Baldwin County Arrest Records

Anyone seeking Baldwin County arrest records can utilize the different resources provided by the county law enforcement agencies. Inquiries can be made in person, by mail, or online. In compliance with the policies of § 36-12-40 for disseminating and duplicating copies of arrest records, residents may download, fill, and submit a Public Records Form to the sheriff’s office.

Generally, Open Records Act requests must be submitted in a signed writing order to the Sheriff’s Office by courier service, in person, or U.S at the following address:

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Warrants & Reports Division-Public Records Request
320 North Hoyle Avenue
Bay Minette, AL 36507

Such requests are free per the ORA. However, the record custodian is authorized to recoup appropriate processing charges incurred in disseminating public documents especially when such requests require physical labor and reproduction materials. This includes record research, redaction, retrieval, duplication, and preparation.

Further, the requester must provide pertinent details to aid the search, such as the requesting party’s name, name of the agency, mailing address, city or state zip code, contact details, the purpose of the request, and description of the record.

Obtaining copies of an incident/offense report may attract a service charge of $15 per copy, $20 for a copy of CD/DVD form, and $25 for a copy of VHS tapes. Copies of 64G Thumb Drive cost $20 each. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, money order, and cashier’s check.

In addition, the Baldwin County Corrections Center provides a 24-hour Bookings and Current Inmates portal for online users. The smart web and arrest search database provides detailed information on current offenders booked within the last 24 hours and released inmates. Researchers may begin a comprehensive search by entering the inmate’s name, booking date, and release date.

Available search results include the inmate's full name, booking number, age on booking date, booking date, case number, bond amount, court charges, case statute, MNI number, charge degree level, and arresting agency.

Finally, the following resources are common for finding the arrest information of people apprehended within Baldwin County but incarcerated in a state or federal prison:

• The Alabama Department of Corrections provides a comprehensive database that houses the complete information on inmates incarcerated in state prisons. The ADOC website features an inmate search portal, enabling name and number searches. Again, written requests can be made using the public records request form.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons also maintains an online Federal Inmate Locator enabling visitors to find federal offenders by name or BOP number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Baldwin County

Baldwin County Sheriff’s responds to all reasonable public record requests within the boundaries of the ORA. Individuals can also track the movement of registered sex offenders within the state of Alabama via the online iCrime Watch Net.

Get Baldwin County Criminal Records

Criminal records are generated when a person gets involved with criminal justice agencies. RAPshet as it is commonly called details a comprehensive report of a person’s criminal history journey, from arrest, prosecution, court proceedings, rebuttals, sentencing, incarceration, to release, probation, or parole. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is the central custodian of criminal history information.

However, members of the public cannot access these records. Alabama law only permits certain individuals, such as adoption centers, criminal justice agencies, and other official parties licensed by the Department of Human Resources. To review Alabama Criminal History Record, applicants can fill out, and submit an application form to the ALEA in person, or via mail.

The application form must be signed by the applicant and two witnesses, or notarized accompanies. Likewise, requesting parties must mail a copy of their valid photo identification, a classifiable copy of fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency, and the required administrative fee of $25 to the address below:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
Attn: Background Checks
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1511

In addition, the ALEA provides an online Alabama Background Check system for eligible registered employers to obtain comprehensive and updated Alabama criminal records. The ABC system is a premium service that requires an annual subscription fee of $95 per year. A single background check executed through the online application may attract a fee of $15. To learn more, interested persons can send an email to background@alea.gov, or call (866) 740-4762.

Finally, people can explore the On-demand Public Access to Trial records to find criminal information on anyone adjudicated and sentenced by the Baldwin County District and Circuit Court or the State of Alabama court.

Baldwin County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Simply put, an arrest record marks a person’s initial entry into the criminal justice structure. It details the circumstances of apprehension, alleged offenses, and the arrestee’s personal information. However, its existence on someone’s record is not a clear indication that they are guilty of committing the crime.

Contrariwise, a criminal record encapsulates a defendant’s involvement with law enforcement. It offers broader insight into the incident, including the arrest information, filed charges, legal proceedings, convictions, sentences, and any other applicable legal outcome.

Unlike arrest information, criminal history records are typically assessed when reviewing a person’s character for schooling, housing, employment, and other legal reasons.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Baldwin, notations of arrests on a person’s record may be retained forever unless the record owner files a petition for an expungement.

Expunge Baldwin County Arrest Records

Per Ala. Code § 15-27 et seq, petitioners who meet the desirable requirements for expungement of arrest records in Baldwin County may query the court where the case was filed and adjudicated. In general, an expungement order clears traces of a person’s criminal background report as if it never existed. However, the applicant must verify that they are eligible.

Eligibility is determined for persons arrested and charged with a misdemeanor offense, a violation, a traffic violation, or a municipal ordinance violation on the following grounds under Ala. Code § 15-27-1:

• The charge was filed but dismissed on the grounds of prejudice
• A grand jury rules the case as a “non-billed”
• The defendant was declared not guilty of the alleged charge
• The charge was dismissed without prejudice for more than two years, and was never refiled neither was the defendant convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor crime, violation, or infraction, excluding minor traffic violations
• If the defendant is also a victim of sex trafficking

On the other hand, defendants petitioning for expungement of felony offenses must meet the requirements stated in Ala. Code § 15-27-2. Most importantly, if:

• The charge was dismissed with prejudice and is more than 90 days
• The case was ruled as not billed by a grand jury and more than 90 days have passed.
• The defendant was found not guilty of the offense and more than 90 days have passed.
• The charge has been “nolle prossed” without requirements, more than 90 days have passed, and the case was not refiled.

To begin the process of expungement, petitioners are required to submit the following information:

• A copy of their certified criminal record from the ALEA
• Certified copies of court dispositions, case summaries, and related court documents from the Baldwin 28th Judicial Circuit Court, and other municipal courts related to the case
• Arrest, booking, and incarceration documents from corresponding law enforcement agencies

Next, the applicant may complete and submit the Petition for Expungement of Records (Form CR-65 7/2016) form provided by the State of Alabama Unified Judicial System stating their names, case number and charge to be expunged. Once completed, the petitioner must serve a copy of the form to the Baldwin County District Attorney, county law enforcement agencies maintaining the record, and the clerk of the judicial circuit court.

Alabama law permits the district attorney and case victim(s) to file their approval or objections within 45 days of receiving the notice. This process of expungement may attract a $500 administrative filing fee for each petition. However, the court may waive the fee if the applicant submits an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order when filing the petition.

Likewise, the docket fee may be waived if the court rules in favor of the petitioner on the grounds that the arrest lacked a reasonable cause. However, the person must pay the applicable filing fee.

Baldwin County Arrest Warrants

According to Ala. Code § 15-7-4(a), arrest warrants are written court documents instructing a law enforcement officer to seize and detain a person in custody until all charges against them are discussed. Warrants are typically issued when a person disobeys a court order, or fails to attend their probationary treatment and sessions, such as drug treatment, mental health programs, addiction support groups, or counseling.

Before issuing an arrest warrant, the judge or magistrate of the judicial circuit court must receive an affidavit and evidence showing probable cause to believe that the said subject is an offender. Supposing a defendant refuses to yield willingly to an arrest warrant, the arresting officer may use a reasonable amount of force.

In other cases, the region may put out an amber alert or neighbor watch in till the subject is apprehended. The directive must bear the defendant’s name, physical description, alleged offense, and the issuing officer’s name, title of office, and signature.

Baldwin County Arrest Warrant Search

If someone suspects that they have an existing or pending arrest warrant, they should visit the Baldwin County Sheriff's Warrants Office or the issuing court. The office responds to warrant inquiries in person, and via phone at (251) 580-2519. However, it is advised to address such orders in the company of a legal attorney.

Do Baldwin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Any warrant signed by a presiding court never expires until the affiant executes the warrant, or the person surrenders willingly. In other instances, the court may quash the order.