Blount County Arrest Records

Arrest records originate from law enforcement efforts to preserve law and order within a region. These records are typically generated after the police apprehend someone for a crime.

To perform an arrest in Blount County, police agencies must usually request arrest warrants from the Blount County circuit or district court. However, Alabama Code 15-10-3 allows these agencies to execute arrests without warrants when officers witness the alleged crimes or have probable cause to believe crimes have been committed. Also, local prosecutors can file indictments with the county courts to receive arrest orders for suspects. These warrants, indictments, and other information/documents generated about a suspected offender often form part of the Blount County court records and other criminal justice files

Individuals usually require arrest records to locate arrested persons, check bail or bond requirements, and find out about the alleged crime(s). Arrest records are also crucial for legal processes, as defense attorneys need such information to prepare defense strategies. Prosecutors also rely on arrest details to initiate criminal trials. Further, law enforcement officers can refer to historical arrest records during criminal investigations.

To find Blount County arrest records, contact the arresting police department or the court where the arrestee was charged. Other agencies, such as state criminal repositories and federal institutions, can also provide certain arrest records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Blount County?

Yes. Most arrest records generated by law enforcement officers in Blount County are considered public under Alabama Code 36-12-40. The law instructs government agencies, including law enforcement, to provide publicly available arrest records to residents. Rule 9.3(b) of the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure also establishes public access to criminal court files, which may contain arrest information.

However, state statutes and court rules restrict some records to protect a person's privacy or sensitive information from public scrutiny. These protected records include:

• Personal identifying data of certain victims, confidential sources, and high-profile witnesses in felony cases
• Medical records
• Financial account numbers, like credit card and debit card numbers
• Identification numbers, like Social Security and passport numbers
• Juvenile arrest records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Law enforcement agencies in Blount County may release the following arrest information to the public:

• An arrestee's name, physical description, age, and photograph
• Charges and statutes violated
• Arrest date, time, and location
• Holding facility
• Court appearance dates
• Bail information
• Warrant details, if any

Blount County Arrest Statistics

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Crime Report Dashboard, Blount County law enforcement agencies made 1,505 arrests in 2023. Of these arrests, 1,487 were related to adults, and 18 were related to juveniles (people under 18). The figures are further broken down into the following categories:

• Part I Adult Arrests: 171
• Part II Adult Arrests: 1,316
• Part I Juvenile Arrests: 5
• Part II Juvenile Arrests: 13

Find Blount County Arrest Records

The fastest way to access and obtain arrest records depends on whether the individual has been charged or convicted. People seeking information on recent arrests should ideally focus on using processes offered by local law enforcement agencies like the Blount Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Record Requests to Local Police Departments

The Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and performs regular law enforcement duties. Individuals can contact the office directly to inquire about arrestees in custody. The office has an online 48-Hour Release Roster showing information about people recently released from the Blount County Detention Center in the last 48 hours. The Sheriff also maintains an online Inmate Roster, which displays details about those in the county's detention center.

The 48-hour release roster shows booking dates, release dates, photographs, booking numbers, arresting agencies, and charges. It also indicates whether an inmate was sent to rehab, sent to other prison facilities (like state prisons), or returned home. Meanwhile, the inmate roster displays the number of inmates currently being held at the detention center and shows the exact arrest details as the 48-hour roster.

If an arrest was executed within the boundaries of a specific municipality, one can also contact city or town police departments. While arrestees are generally transferred to the Blount County Detention Center under the Sheriff's Office jurisdiction, these local departments usually maintain records of arrests.

Record Requests to Alabama Department of Corrections (DOC)

The Alabama DOC only houses inmates convicted and sentenced to state prison. Individuals may not see comprehensive arrest information when reviewing the department's records. However, using the department's public records request option will help members of the public learn about each inmate's offense and incarceration details. Interested parties can also view records using the DOC's inmate search tool. The search utility displays inmate photographs, personal information, offense, and sentencing details.

Record Requests to Federal Agencies

One may have to approach an arresting federal agency if the record they seek is related to federal offenses. Agencies like the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and U.S. Marshals have arrest jurisdiction within Blount County. Most of these arrestees are handed over to the Bureau of Prisons or detained by the arresting agencies until the court case is completed. Specific online resources, such as the BOP's Federal Inmate Search system and ICE's Online Detainee Locator System, may be used to locate these individuals. However, loved ones can contact the arresting agency for information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Blount County

Individuals conducting a free arrest record search in Blount County can access the local Sheriff's 48-hour release and current inmate rosters. Inquirers are not charged a fee to view records via these rosters.

Another way to perform a free arrest record search is to access public records services offered by independent vendors. A person's first and last name is often the primary criterion for searches on third-party websites. However, while certain websites disclose some arrest information at no cost, obtaining other public records about the search subject will cost money, albeit a nominal sum.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Most arrest records remain available to members of the public until their subjects apply for expungement. However, criminal justice agencies and certain public and private organizations can still see expunged records.

Expunge Blount County Arrest Records

According to Alabama law, an expungement does not permanently destroy records. Instead, it seals criminal and arrest records from public access, which are then treated as if they do not exist per Alabama Code 15-27-6. However, parties like district attorneys, law enforcement agencies, regulatory and licensing bodies, financial institutions, utility agents, and the Department of Human Resources can access expunged records for specific statutory processes.

Only certain people are permitted to apply for expungement in Blount County. Eligibility is generally determined by the type of offense and the case outcome. An individual will qualify to expunge their arrest records if they meet any of the following conditions:

• A prosecutor filed a charge, but it was dismissed with prejudice over 90 days ago.
• A grand jury returned a no-bill filing over 90 days ago.
• Ninety days have passed since the person was found not guilty.
• The prosecutor decided not to file charges, and the individual was released more than 90 days ago.
• The individual completed a court-ordered deferred prosecution program, such as mental health, veterans, or drug court diversion programs.
• The person's charges were dismissed without prejudice, and more than one year has passed. In this situation, the person must not have been convicted of any misdemeanor, felony, or traffic violation (excluding minor traffic violations) over the past two years.
• If the person proves that they were victims of human trafficking when they committed the alleged.
• An indictment was filed against the individual but quashed, and the prosecuting attorney chose not to refile the charges or the statute of limitation prevents refiling.
• Five years have passed after a felony charge was dismissed without prejudice.

Only certain convictions (over 3 years old) for non-violent offenses are eligible for expungement. Qualified applicants must have also completed their punishment, such as paying restitution, completing parole and probation requirements, and paying fines.

Interested applicants whose arrests did not result in a conviction and had dismissals with prejudice can file for expungements multiple times. However, those who completed mental health or drug programs and had non-felony convictions can only apply twice. Only one petition is allowed for persons with eligible felony convictions.

The expungement process involves completing and filing a Petition for Expungement of Records form with the Blount County Circuit Court. The petitioner is also required to do the following:

• Attach these documents to the petition:
  • A sworn statement (under the penalty of perjury) acknowledging that the applicant is eligible to apply and whether they have filed for or have been granted expungement in the past.
  • Certified arrest records from the arresting agency or court records
  • A certified criminal history record obtained from the Criminal Justice Center.
• Specify the criminal charges to be expunged, indicate the arresting agency, and mention any department or agency where the applicant was detained or incarcerated.
• Serve petitions, alongside the attached documents, to the circuit court clerk, arresting law enforcement agency, and district attorney.

Each petition for expungement costs $500, and petitioners must submit separate applications for different arrests or convictions.

Blount County Arrest Warrants

Blount County arrest warrants are court orders issued by municipal, district, or circuit court judges to authorize the arrest of a person suspected of breaking state law. Law enforcement agencies request these warrants by submitting complaints establishing reasonable cause that specify the individuals believed to have committed crimes.

However, judges and magistrates can issue arrest warrants (called bench warrants) to apprehend defendants who may have violated court orders, such as probation or parole programs.

Further, individuals can be taken into custody without warrants if law enforcement officers witness a crime or have reasonable information that suspects have violated the law. Suspected offenders can also be taken into custody after prosecuting attorneys file grand jury indictments.

People with warrants issued for their arrests in Blount County can visit the Sheriff's Office to confirm or clear the warrant. Other members of the public can also contact the office to inquire about arrest warrants. Moreover, criminal court records contain information about whether a warrant was issued for a case. Thus, one can contact the clerk's office or use the state's online case search system to check for warrant information.

Do Blount County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants approved in Blount County remain active until police officers apprehend and present the subject before a court. Judges and magistrates can also recall an arrest warrant if new evidence or facts show that the named individual is not guilty of the alleged crime.