Marshall County Arrest Records

In Marshall County, arrests become necessary when law enforcement officers determine that an individual has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime based on probable cause. After arrests, law enforcement takes the detainee to the Marshall County Jail for booking. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for generating arrest records, often linked to Marshall County Court Records for legal proceedings. These records are essential for public safety and are accessible through various county and court databases, providing transparency to the public.

Are Arrest Records Public in Marshall County?

Under Alabama's Open Records Act (§ 36-12-40), arrest records are generally public, meaning citizens can access and inspect them. Public officers with the custody of public records are duty-bound to give, upon request, a certified copy of the record on payment of the required fees.

The following records are exempt from public disclosure under Alabama law:

• Library Registration and Circulation Records: Information concerning the use of public, school, or college libraries, except for parents inspecting records of their minor children.
• Security-Related Records: These include security plans, procedures, assessments, or systems.
• Information on Critical Infrastructure: Records concerning public safety, such as records affecting the people’s safety, structures, or facilities, are barred from public viewing.
• Juvenile Records: Under Ala. Code § 12-15-133, arrest records for individuals under 18 years old are exempt. Exempt juvenile records also cover legal documents, probation information, and medical records.
• Expunged Records: Arrest records are restricted after expungement.
• Investigative Reports: Law enforcement investigation materials are restricted because, if released, they may affect the course of justice.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record typically contains the following information:

• Personal Information: Full legal name, aliases, height, complexion, hair and eye color, date of birth, and gender.
• Arrest Details: Date, time, location, offense type (misdemeanor or felony), and charges.
• Agency Information: Arresting agency, officer’s name, etc.
• Booking Data: Fingerprints, mugshots, identifiable marks (tattoos/scars), and booking time.
• Judicial Information: Court jurisdiction handling the case.
• Release Information: Bail amount, release conditions, and the date and time of release.

Marshall County Crime Rate

According to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Alabama Crime Statistics Publication of 2018, released by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the most frequent crime in Marshall County in 2018 was larceny, with 1,726 incidents. Burglary followed with 590 reported cases, reflecting a 6.5% increase from 2017. The third highest was motor vehicle theft, with 289 occurrences. These figures highlight that property crimes continue to constitute a significant portion of the total criminal activity in the county.

Marshall County Arrest Statistics

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Alabama Crime Statistics Publication of 2019 shows that Alabama recorded 180,535 arrests, of which 97.7% were adult arrests (176,370) and 2.3% were juvenile arrests (4,165). Marshall County accounted for approximately 2.4% of Alabama's total arrests, with 4,299 arrests. Of these, 4,244 were adults, and 55 were juveniles, indicating that juvenile arrests represented just over 1% of the county’s total arrests. This data shows that Marshall County's arrest trends closely align with statewide patterns, with a significant emphasis on adult arrests.

Find Marshall County Arrest Records

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office generates and maintains arrest records. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office also maintains an inmate roster, allowing interested persons to search by name. The webpage also displays a catalog of all the inmates, including their charges and booking details. As an alternative, interested persons who have inquiries or questions may direct their requests to:

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 423 Blount Avenue, Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone: (256) 582-2034
Fax: (256) 582-3154
Email: sheriff@marshallco.org

Free Arrest Record Search in Marshall County

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office already provides a free and easy way to search for arrest records in Marshall County using the inmate roster. Alternatively, the state of Alabama, through the Alabama PublicOffices.org webpage, provides an online tool for interested persons to search public records, including arrest records by first name, last name, and city.

Get Marshall County Criminal Records

Marshall County Criminal records document an individual's criminal activities within the County. These records often include arrest details, charges, convictions, and sentencing information. Interested parties can access criminal records through the Marshall County Sheriff's Office in Marshall County. They can also direct their requests to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which handles statewide criminal records. Interested persons must complete the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information. Along with the form, requests require proper identification, a $25.00 administrative fee, and a classifiable set of requester’s fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency with an FBI-issued Originating Agency Number (ORI).

Record seekers should mail the completed request form and all accompanying documentation to:

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

Marshall County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record is generated when law enforcement apprehends a person suspected of a crime. It includes essential details like the individual’s name, date of arrest, charges, and the agency involved. These records do not determine guilt or innocence and are usually public unless restricted or exempted. Criminal records, in contrast, are created after a person is convicted in court. They provide comprehensive information about the arrest, charges, trial (if applicable), and sentencing.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Alabama, arrest records may remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless they take action to have the information erased. If an individual was arrested and charged but never convicted, they have a strong chance of successfully expunging their record. Those convicted of certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies may also apply for expungement after fulfilling specific legal requirements.

Expunge Marshall County Arrest Records

Under the Alabama Code § 15-27, a person charged with a misdemeanor offense, a traffic violation, or a municipal ordinance violation may petition the criminal division of the circuit court in the county where the charges were filed to expunge records relating to the charge in any of the following circumstances:

• Where the charges were dismissed with prejudice, not billed by a grand jury, or the person was found not guilty, and more than 90 days have passed.
• Where the charges were not filed or processed without conditions, more than 90 days have passed, and they have yet to be refiled.
• Where an indictment was quashed, the statute of limitations for refiling expired, or the prosecuting agency confirms no refiling.
• The charge was dismissed after successfully completing a court-approved program (e.g., drug court), and a petition was filed one year after completion.
• The charges were dismissed without prejudice more than one year ago, not refiled, and the individual has no other convictions or violations in the past two years.
• Where the offense was committed while the person was a victim of human trafficking, and evidence supports the claim.
• Where the offender has been convicted but all probation or parole requirements, including fines and restitution, are completed, or three years have passed since the conviction, or the sentence does not involve violent crimes, sex offenses, moral turpitude offenses, or serious traffic offenses.

Where the subject of the record is eligible under any of the above circumstances, they may follow the following steps to get their record expunged:

• Fill out the Petition for Expungement of Records form.
• Prepare a sworn statement under penalty of perjury confirming that all requirements for expungement have been met and disclose any previous expungement applications or grants and a certified record of arrest, disposition, or case action summary from the relevant agency, along with a certified official criminal record from the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. The interested person must specify the criminal charges to be expunged and identify the arresting agency and any relevant booking or detention agencies. These documents will accompany the petition.
• File the petition in the criminal division of the circuit court in the county where the charges were filed and pay a $500 administrative filing fee. If seeking expungement for multiple charges from multiple arrests, affected persons may need to pay a fee for each arrest.

The fee is distributed as follows:

1. State Judicial Administrative Fund - $75
2. Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences - $25
3. District attorney's office - $50
4. Circuit court clerk's office - $50
5. Public Safety Fund - $50
6. County where the incident - $50
7. State General Fund - $100
8. Education Trust Fund - $50
9. Fair Trial Tax Fund - $50

• Serve copies of the petition and the affidavit to the district attorney, law enforcement agency, and court clerk in the jurisdiction where the records are to be expunged.
• The district attorney and any victims (if applicable) have 45 days to file a written objection. The right to object is waived if no objection is filed within this period.
• The court will review the petition, considering any objections and the submitted documentation.

Marshall County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a court or a judge that authorizes law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. In Marshall County, as in other parts of Alabama, arrest warrants are designed to ensure arrests are made based on legitimate and lawful grounds. Marshall County Arrest Warrants contain information related to the issuance and execution of the warrant, such as:

• The name and identifying details of the individual for whom the warrant was issued.
• The specific offense or charges that prompted the issuance of the warrant.
• The court or authority is responsible for authorizing the warrant.
• The date on which the warrant was issued.
• The name of the law enforcement agency or officer responsible for executing the warrant.
• The date and time of the warrant's execution.

Marshall County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can mail requests to or visit the Marshall County Sheriff's Office in person to search for an active warrant.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 423 Blount Avenue, Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone: (256) 582-2034
Fax: (256) 582-3154
Email: sheriff@marshallco.org

Do Marshall County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Marshall County, warrants are valid and do not expire until one of the following occurs: the individual named in the warrant is arrested, the warrant is recalled by the judge or magistrate who issued it, or the charges against the individual are dismissed.