Franklin County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Franklin County are created by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies operating within the county. These documents contain personal details of arrestees, the reasons for arrests, and the terms for their release. Franklin County arrest records may become part of Franklin County court records if they are a source of information during criminal trials. Law officers in Franklin County arrest individuals if they witness crimes or have evidence that persons have committed arrestable offenses.

In Franklin County, law enforcement agencies detain arrestees at the Franklin County Detention Center; this facility houses individuals awaiting trials, sentencing, or transfer to other correctional facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes, Franklin County arrest records are public. According to Section 36-12-14 of the Alabama Code, citizens have the right to copies of official documents in the possession of government agencies and officials. However, public access does not extend to all Franklin County arrest records. Under Alabama laws, the public cannot access Franklin County arrest records relating to:

• Sealed and expunged arrest records
• Juvenile records
• Arrest records relating to active investigations
• Confidential law enforcement materials
• Social Security Numbers, financial account information, and medical or mental health details.

Individuals seeking to access Franklin County arrest records can contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at:

748 Walnut Gate Road,
Russellville,
AL 35654
Phone: (256) 332-8820
info@franklinsheriff.org
Email: info@franklinsheriff.org

Franklin County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI database, law enforcement agencies in Franklin County reported 2,682 arrests over four years, spanning from January 2021 to January 2025. During this time, there were 1,877 male and 805 female arrests for various offenses. Additionally, drug/narcotic violations were the most consistent arrest incidents, with 29.75% of all arrests within the county. A breakdown of the arrests within this period shows the following details:

• Drug/Narcotic Violations - 798
• Larcenies - 252
• Simple Assault - 220
• DUI - 169
• Liquor Law Violations - 147
• Aggravated Assault - 69
• All Other Incidents - 1,027.

Find Franklin County Arrest Records

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office provides access to arrest records through its Franklin County Detention Center Inmate Roster Portals. Information seekers can access arrest records of current inmates and all persons released within the past 48 hours.

Record seekers can also sign up for paid access to the Alabama State Trial Court Records Access Portal and search for Franklin County arrest records through criminal case records. Additionally, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency provides access to state-wide criminal history records; interested individuals can subscribe and access Franklin County arrest records through criminal background checks.

Franklin County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records in Franklin County are vital but distinct resources for criminal investigations, each differing in method of creation, content, and legal implications.

Franklin County arrest records

Franklin County arrest records are law enforcement documents detailing the apprehension and incarceration of individuals within Franklin County. These documents contain personal information, details of arrests, charges against the owners of the arrest records, booking information, and bail/bond details. Franklin County arrest records do not confirm guilt or innocence of criminal actions. Arrestees are innocent of charges unless the courts State otherwise after trials.

Franklin County criminal records

Franklin County criminal records are official documents on criminal acts and their prosecutions under the Franklin County criminal justice system. The Franklin County Circuit, District, and Municipal Courts generate criminal records during criminal case prosecutions. Franklin County criminal records contain Franklin County arrest records and other documents relating to criminal trials within the Circuit, District, and Municipal Courts in Franklin County.
Unlike Franklin County arrest records, Franklin County criminal records are confirmation of guilty verdicts for criminal offenses.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless the courts seal or expunge arrest information, it stays on record indefinitely. § 15-27-1 of the Alabama Code grants eligible individuals the right to petition the Franklin County Circuit Court to seal or expunge their arrest records. An arrest record may qualify for sealing or expunction:

• The arrest does not result in a conviction
• The arrest does not result in criminal charges
• The owner of the arrest record completes a pre-trial diversion or drug court program
• The arrest record is for a non-violent misdemeanor conviction
• The owner of the arrest record observes the applicable waiting period.

Franklin County Arrest Warrants

Franklin County arrest warrants are legal orders authorizing law enforcement to take offenders into custody. These documents are issued by judges/magistrates of the Franklin County Circuit and District Courts when law enforcement proves probable cause. A judge or magistrate may issue arrest warrants if:

• If law enforcement provides probable cause
• A suspect is a flight risk
• There is a Grand Jury indictment
• An offender fails to appear in court for a hearing
• A person disobeys court orders.

A typical Franklin arrest warrant includes, but is not limited to:

• Name and physical description of the subject
• Date of issuance
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrates
• Charges against the subject and sections of the subject and sections of the Alabama laws allegedly violated
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant.

Do Franklin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants do not expire in Franklin County or across the United States. Once a judge/magistrate issues an arrest warrant, it remains active and enforceable until law enforcement apprehends the wanted person, the court recalls/revokes it, or the subject of the warrant dies. However, for crimes with a statute of limitations, prosecutors must initiate legal proceedings within the period. Additionally, procedural errors can render Franklin County arrest warrants invalid.

Note: Serious crimes like murder do not have statutes of limitations.