Etowah County Criminal Records
What Is Etowah County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Etowah County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-13-1, which establishes requirements for the creation and maintenance of public records.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Etowah County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, establishing that an individual has been found legally responsible for a criminal offense.
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year in state prison facilities.
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail or other lesser penalties.
Juvenile records in Etowah County are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under Alabama Code § 12-15-133, which protects the confidentiality of proceedings involving minors.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Etowah County:
Etowah County Sheriff's Office
827 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 546-2825
Etowah County Sheriff's Office
Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office
801 Forrest Avenue, Room 202
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 549-5355
Etowah County Circuit Court
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
301 South Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 517-2800
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
The comprehensive nature of criminal records means they typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. The Etowah County criminal justice system maintains these records as part of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
Are Criminal Records Public In Etowah County
Criminal records in Etowah County are generally considered public information under Alabama's Open Records Law, codified in Alabama Code § 36-12-40. This statute establishes that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."
The Alabama Open Records Law applies to criminal records maintained by government agencies in Etowah County, making most adult criminal records accessible to the public. However, several important exceptions exist:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are typically exempt from public disclosure to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile Records: As established in Alabama Code § 12-15-133, records involving minors are generally confidential and not accessible to the public.
- Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 are removed from public access.
Public criminal records typically include:
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Adult arrest records
- Conviction information
- Sentencing details
- Incarceration records
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts oversees the statewide court system and provides guidance on public access to court records. In Etowah County, the Circuit Court maintains records of felony cases and misdemeanor appeals, while the District Court maintains records of misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while these records are generally public, certain information within them may be redacted to protect privacy interests, such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain personal identifiers.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Etowah County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Etowah County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
For in-person searches at the courthouse:
- Visit the Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
- Complete a records request form, providing specific information about the case or individual being researched.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5.00 for record searches and $0.50 per page for copies).
- Allow time for staff to process the request, which may be immediate for simple searches or several days for more complex requests.
Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office
801 Forrest Avenue, Room 202
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 549-5355
Etowah County Circuit Court
For mail requests:
- Download and complete the official records request form from the Etowah County Circuit Court website.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Mail the request to the Circuit Clerk's Office at the address provided above.
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing and return mail.
For criminal background checks through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency:
- Submit a request through the Alabama Background Check System.
- Provide required identifying information for the subject of the search.
- Pay the required fee (currently $25 per record check).
- Receive results electronically or by mail, depending on the request method.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102
(334) 353-4340
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03, requestors must provide sufficient identifying information to locate the correct records, including full name, date of birth, and case numbers when available.
How To Find Criminal Records in Etowah County Online?
Etowah County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person searches at county offices.
The primary online resource is the Alabama Judicial System's "Alacourt" portal, which provides access to court records throughout the state, including Etowah County. To utilize this system:
- Visit the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts website.
- Register for an account with the "Just One Look" service for on-demand access.
- Pay the required subscription fee (currently $9.99 per month for basic access).
- Search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
- View case summaries, charges, dispositions, and scheduled court dates.
The Alacourt system contains records from the Circuit and District Courts, including criminal cases filed in Etowah County. However, certain documents may only be available for viewing at the courthouse.
For jail records and current inmate information:
- Access the Etowah County Sheriff's Office website.
- Navigate to the "Inmate Roster" section.
- Search by name to view current incarceration status, charges, and bond information.
- Note that this system only displays current inmates, not historical incarceration records.
For sex offender registration information:
- Visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sex Offender Registry.
- Search by name, location, or other criteria.
- View registration details, including addresses and compliance status.
The Etowah County Circuit Court website also provides access to court dockets, calendars, and general information about criminal proceedings in the county. While this site does not offer direct record searches, it contains valuable information about the criminal process and court operations.
Users should be aware that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. For comprehensive background checks, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency remains the official source for statewide criminal history information.
Can You Search Etowah County Criminal Records for Free?
Etowah County provides several options for free inspection of criminal records, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Alabama Code § 36-12-40 establishes the public's right to inspect public records, and § 36-12-41 authorizes reasonable fees for copies.
Free inspection options include:
- Public Access Terminals: The Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains public access computers for searching court records at no charge. These terminals are available during regular business hours at the courthouse.
Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office
801 Forrest Avenue, Room 202
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 549-5355
Etowah County Circuit Court
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Jail Roster: The Etowah County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online inmate roster showing current inmates, charges, and bond information.
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Sex Offender Registry: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency provides free public access to the sex offender registry, which includes offenders registered in Etowah County.
For online searches, limited free options include:
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Court Calendars: The Etowah County Circuit Court website provides free access to court calendars and dockets, showing scheduled cases and hearings.
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Case Status Information: Basic case status information may be available through the Alabama Judicial System's public portal without subscription fees.
While free inspection is available, fees apply for:
- Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page)
- Certified copies ($5.00 per document plus copy fees)
- Record searches requiring staff assistance ($5.00 per name)
- Complete background checks through ALEA ($25.00)
The Alacourt "Just One Look" subscription service, while not free, provides the most comprehensive online access to court records at $9.99 per month for basic service. This subscription grants access to case information statewide, not limited to Etowah County.
Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.04, certain criminal justice agencies and government entities may qualify for fee waivers when requesting records for official purposes.
What's Included in a Etowah County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Etowah County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with Alabama Code § 41-13-1 and include several categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit or District)
- Criminal charges filed and corresponding Alabama statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to the case
- Court appearances and hearing dates
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations (if criminally charged)
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The Etowah County Circuit Court maintains records related to felony cases and misdemeanor appeals, while the District Court maintains records of misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings. The Etowah County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records, while the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains the statewide criminal history repository.
Criminal records may also include notations regarding expungements, pardons, or sealed records, though the underlying information may not be accessible to the public in such cases.
How Long Does Etowah County Keep Criminal Records?
Etowah County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Administrative Office of Courts. These retention periods vary based on the type of record and case disposition.
The primary retention periods for criminal records in Etowah County include:
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Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for capital cases and cases resulting in sentences of 20 years or more. Other felony cases are retained for 75 years from the date of final disposition.
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Misdemeanor Case Files: Generally retained for 25 years from the date of final disposition.
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Arrest Records: Maintained by law enforcement agencies for a minimum of 25 years, with serious offense records kept permanently.
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Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanently maintained as essential records of the court system.
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Probation Records: Retained for 10 years after the termination of probation.
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Grand Jury Records: Permanently maintained due to their historical and legal significance.
These retention periods are established pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-13-23, which authorizes the State Records Commission to establish records disposition authorities for state and local government records.
Digital court records maintained in the Alacourt system are generally retained according to the same schedules as paper records. However, as electronic storage has become more prevalent, many records that previously might have been destroyed after their retention period are now maintained indefinitely in electronic format.
Criminal history information maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is retained permanently unless a court orders expungement under Alabama Code § 15-27-1. Expunged records are removed from public access but may be retained for limited law enforcement purposes depending on the specific expungement order.
The Etowah County Circuit Court follows these state-mandated retention schedules while also maintaining certain records beyond minimum requirements when storage space permits, particularly for cases of historical or significant legal interest.
Lookup Criminal Records in Etowah County
Etowah County Circuit Court Records
Public Records Search and Copies
Circuit Criminal Court Information