Walker County Arrest Records

Arrest records contain information on instances when an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement and booked into the criminal justice system (AL Code § 15-10-90 (2023)). In Walker County, arrested persons are either detained at the county jail or sent to a state or federal jail, depending on the nature of their crime and the agency that executed the arrests.

Arrests are deemed necessary when a crime is committed in the presence of a law enforcement agent or there is a warrant issued based on probable cause by a law court (AL Code § 15-10-1 (2023)). Arrest records are only one of several records generated during an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system. Depending on the arrest outcome, other public records like Walker County court records may also be created. The Sheriff's Office generates and maintains arrest records in Walker County.

Are Arrest Records Public in Walker County?

Yes. Arrest records are available to the public under Alabama’s Public Records Law. As such, anyone may visit the record custodian’s office to obtain a copy. There are exceptions to this law, however. Records containing sensitive information or information that may compromise an individual’s privacy and safety are generally restricted from public access. Examples include juvenile records, records of ongoing investigations, and witness information.

Furthermore, an arrest record may be unavailable to the public if it is expunged or sealed pursuant to a court order or statute. Although restricted from general public access, these records may still be accessed by the arrestee, their attorney, and government employees for official use. Third parties who wish to access sealed arrest records must obtain a subpoena from a court of competent jurisdiction.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Walker County, Alabama, contain the following details:

• Subject’s full name & aliases
• Gender
• Age
• Photo
• Physical description: height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc.
• Arrest details: date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arresting agency & arresting officer
• Charges: list and description of charges filed
• Statute or code violated
• Booking information: booking date and time.
• Bail and bond information: amount, type (cash/surety), and bail conditions, if any.
• Court information: arraignment/trial date, time, location, case number, and assigned judge.
• Prior arrest records (if applicable)
• Remarks from the arresting officer.

Walker County Arrest Statistics

According to the 2018 crime report by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Walker County reported 2,393 arrests. 250 (0.03%) of those arrests were for motor vehicle theft, 469 (19.6%) for burglaries, and 1,411 (59%) arrests for larceny. Compared to the county's 2023 arrest data, which showed 2,329 arrests, the arrest rate decreased by 0.03%.

Find Walker County Arrest Records

The Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of arrest records. Interested persons may find information on the arrest of persons of interest by visiting the Sheriff’s Office during business hours. Generally, the subject’s name as well as general arrest information (date and time of arrest) will be needed to complete a search. For more information, contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office administrative office:

Walker County Sheriff’s Office
2001 2nd Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: (205) 302-6464

Meanwhile, information on persons in the custody of a state law enforcement agency may be accessed on the Alabama Department of Corrections inmates search portal. Similarly, information on persons in the custody of a federal agency may be found via the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Free Arrest Record Search in Walker County

In Walker County, anyone can request arrest records from local police departments under Alabama’s Public Records Law. To begin, requesters can file a record request to the Clerical Division of the Sheriff’s Office, located at 2001 2nd Avenue, Jasper, AL 35501, to obtain information about an arrest.

While this may be free, a processing fee may apply to make certified copies of the records. Alternatively, there are third-party websites that provide access to these records online. Though more convenient, especially when seeking arrest records on several people or from other counties, information from third-party sources may vary in completeness or accuracy.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

It depends. In Alabama, arrest records generally remain on a person’s record indefinitely. There is no automatic expungement or removal for arrests that did not lead to a conviction. Those arrests stay accessible unless removed through an expungement process.

Alabama law allows expungement for certain arrests if the charges were dismissed or if the person was acquitted, but a court order is required. To begin, the individual must petition for expungement to have an arrest record removed under qualifying conditions. This process varies depending on the peculiarity of the case.

Expunge Walker County Arrest Records

An expungement prevents the record from appearing in most background checks. However, some requirements must be fulfilled for expungement to be granted, depending on the type of offense, the case's outcome, and the individual's criminal history. Generally, Alabama law sets the following base requirements for arrest record expungement:

1. The charge was dismissed with prejudice.
2. The individual was exonerated of the charge or found not guilty.
3. The case was "no-billed" by a grand jury.
4. The charge was dismissed after completing a diversion program, drug court, or a similar program.

Also, arrests without convictions are eligible, but cases ending in conviction generally do not qualify for expungement, except in specific circumstances involving dismissed charges post-probation.

Persons who qualify for an expungement may follow the instructions in the criminal record expungement kit prepared by the ALEA. Generally, the process involves obtaining one’s criminal records to determine which arrests or crimes are eligible for expungement. Then, the individual files a court petition and pays the application fee at a court of competent jurisdiction. This court is located in the county where the arrest happened, and a separate petition is filed for each arrest. For inquiries or additional information on the court process, contact the Walker County Circuit Clerk’s Office at:

Walker County Courthouse
1801 Third Avenue South Jasper, Second Floor
Jasper, Alabama
Phone: (205) 384-7268
Fax: (205) 384-7271

Note that filing an expungement petition does not guarantee the arrest will be removed from the record. Courts consider eligible applications on a case-by-case basis. Where a person’s expungement application is denied, they will have the option to appeal the decision or reapply.

Walker County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court-issued writ in Walker County that gives police the right to detain someone accused of committing a crime after the fact (AL Code § 15-10-40 (2023)). Courts only issue warrants when there is probable cause—typically following the presentation of strong arguments and circumstantial evidence by law enforcement. Arrest warrants can also be issued for probation violations or nonattendance at court.

Generally, an arrest warrant contains:

• The subject’s name, aliases, and known address
• The offense and statutes or codes violated
• The judge’s name and signature.

Do Walker County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants are valid in Walker County, Alabama, until they are executed or revoked by a judge. Law officers can execute a warrant at any time, including if they think someone is inside their home (AL Code § 15-10-2 (2023)). Since Alabama has no statute of limitations on warrants, an arrest may happen years after the warrant is issued. Revoking an arrest warrant may require hiring a lawyer to petition the court to recall the warrant or willingly turning oneself over to law enforcement.