Dale County Arrest Records

Dale County, Alabama, arrest records are official documents created by the Dale County Sheriff's Office, Alabama State Troopers, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies to account for individuals they take into custody for various offenses. These documents play crucial roles in criminal case trials within the Dale County Circuit, District, and Municipal Courts and may be accessible as part of Dale County court records.

Section 15-10-1 of the Alabama Code grants law officers the authority to arrest without warrants if a person threatens public peace or commits a felony or domestic violence. Also, arrest becomes necessary if any Dale County courts issue arrest warrants.

In Dale County, law enforcement agencies detain individuals awaiting trials or transfer to other facilities or serving short-term sentences for misdemeanors at local police departments holding facilities or the Dale County Jail; long-term convicts serve their prison terms at state penitentiaries.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dale County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Dale County. Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code guarantees the citizens the right to view and copy Dale County public records (including Dale County arrest records). However, there are exemptions to the public disclosure of some Dale County arrest records. Under Alabama laws, the public cannot scrutinize Dale County arrest records relating to minors, active judicial or law enforcement investigations, witness or informant information, sealed or expunged records, national security, medical or mental health, or victim information.

Only the subjects and authorized individuals can access exempted Dale County arrest records. For information about Dale County arrest records, leave a message on the Dale County Sheriff's Office Contact Us Page, or call or visit their office at:

Dale County Sheriff's Office
113 West Reynolds Street,
Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-2335

Dale County Arrest Statistics

The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting database shows over 5,500 arrests within Dale County between January 2020 and December 2023. In 2020, there were 898 arrests for various incidents within Dale County. This figure increased to 1,294 and 1,990 in 2021 and 2022 but decreased to 1,349 arrests in 2023. Between 2020 and 2023, drug/narcotic violations, simple assaults, and larceny crimes accounted for the most arrests within Dale County. Over this period, there were 605, 381, and 320 arrests for drug-related offenses, simple assaults, and larceny-theft arrests within Dale County.

Find Dale County Arrest Records

Dale County arrest records are accessible as law enforcement documents and part of Dale County court records. Interested individuals seeking Dale County arrest information should visit the Dale County Jail Inmate Roster to view the arrest records of current inmates and individuals released within the previous 48 hours. Alternatively, inquirers should contact the Dale County Sheriff's Office. Eligible entities can access Dale County arrest records through the Alabama Background Check System.

Furthermore, records seekers can access Dale County arrest records as part of Dale County court records through the Alabama Courts Just One Look Portal or visit the Dale County Clerk of Court Office at:

Dale County Clerk of Court Office
Dale County Courthouse
100 Court Square,
Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-5003

Dale County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Dale County arrest and criminal records are complementary but distinct documents; they are crucial tools for criminal investigations but differ in content, creation, and legal implications.

Dale County arrest records are the official account of arrests within Dale County. They describe the circumstances surrounding law enforcement detention of individuals. Arrest records do not confirm guilt or innocence; arrestees are innocent of charges unless the courts find them guilty.

Dale County criminal records are documents generated by the Dale County Circuit and District Courts during criminal trials. They provide comprehensive details of criminal acts and their prosecutions under the criminal trial system. Unlike Dale County arrest records, Dale County criminal records are official confirmation of guilt for criminal acts. They may have lifelong impacts on social status, employment, and housing opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information may stay on a record permanently. However, Section 15-27-1 of the Alabama Code grants individuals the right to petition the courts to expunge their arrest information if they fulfill the eligibility requirements.

In Dale County, an arrest record owner can petition the Dale County Circuit Court to expunge arrest information if:

• There is a dismissal without prejudice, acquittal, or no charges
• The owner of the arrest record completes a pretrial diversion or treatment program
• There are no pending criminal trials during the petition period
• The individual observes the waiting period applicable to the specific arrest and fulfills all court-imposed conditions.

Dale County Arrest Warrants

Dale County arrest warrants are documents issued by the Dale County Circuit and District Courts authorizing law enforcement to take individuals who commit arrestable offenses into custody. The courts may issue arrest warrants if law enforcement provides evidence of criminal acts. Arrest warrants may also be necessary for several other reasons. For instance, Dale County Circuit or District Court judges/magistrates can issue arrest warrants if individuals disregard court orders, violate terms of probation or parole, or fail to appear before the court to answer for criminal acts.

A valid Dale County arrest warrant must contain the following information or more:

• Name and physical description of the subject/defendant
• Charges against the wanted individual
• Sections of Alabama Codes allegedly violated
• Name and location of the issuing court
• Name and signature of issuing judge/magistrate
• Date of issuance of the warrant
• An affidavit or a statement of probable cause
• Instructions authorizing law enforcement to take the subject into custody
• The geographical jurisdiction of the warrant
• Instructions on how to execute the warrant.

Do Dale County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Dale County arrest warrants do not expire. Once a judge/magistrate of the Dale County Circuit or District Court issues an arrest warrant, it will remain active until law enforcement apprehends the wanted person or the court revokes it. Nonetheless, a Dale County arrest warrant will become dormant/inactive if the wanted individual dies before the arrest.