Russell County Criminal Records
What Is Russell County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Russell County, Alabama, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each capturing a distinct phase of the criminal process.
A fundamental distinction exists between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt entered by a court of law, either through a guilty plea or a verdict following trial. Similarly, felony records document serious offenses punishable by more than one year of incarceration under Alabama law, while misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses typically carrying sentences of twelve months or fewer in a county jail.
Adult records are generally accessible to the public under Alabama's open records framework. Juvenile records, however, are treated with heightened confidentiality. Pursuant to § 12-15-133 of the Alabama Code, records of juvenile proceedings are not open to public inspection except under specific court-ordered circumstances, and many such records are sealed upon the juvenile reaching adulthood. Active warrant records reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's arrest and are considered current law enforcement instruments, whereas historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been fully adjudicated.
The principal agencies responsible for maintaining Russell County criminal records include:
- Russell County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking logs, and jail records
- Russell County Circuit Court and District Court — maintains case filings, arraignment records, pleas, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation or parole documentation
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) / State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) — maintains statewide criminal history repositories
- Phenix City Police Department — maintains arrest and incident records for offenses occurring within Phenix City limits
A complete criminal record may encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, conditions of probation or parole, and any subsequent modifications to those conditions. Members of the public seeking court case information may consult the Russell County Circuit Court for guidance on record requests and copies.
Russell County Sheriff's Office 1000 Broad Street, Phenix City, AL 36867 (334) 298-6535 Russell County Sheriff's Office
Russell County Circuit Court 501 14th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867 (334) 298-0516 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Russell County Circuit Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Russell County
Adult criminal records in Russell County are presumptively open to public inspection under Alabama law. The Alabama Open Records Act, § 36-12-40, establishes that all public writings of every description are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Alabama, unless otherwise expressly provided by statute. This broad mandate applies to criminal court records, arrest logs, booking information, and related documentation held by county and municipal agencies.
Records that are currently accessible to the public include:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor case filings and docket entries
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information
Records that are restricted from general public access include:
- Juvenile court records, which are confidential under § 12-15-133
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could compromise law enforcement operations
- Expunged records, which are treated as though the underlying event never occurred following a court order
- Certain victim information, including addresses and identifying details protected under victim privacy statutes
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records incorporated into criminal proceedings
Members of the public should be aware that while the right to inspect public records is broad, the Russell County Circuit Court has noted that information concerning court records cannot always be verified by the Office of the Circuit Clerk, and requesters are encouraged to submit written requests specifying the records sought.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Russell County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Russell County criminal records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required. The following steps outline the current process for accessing these records.
Step 1 — Identify the Appropriate Agency Determine which agency holds the record of interest. Arrest and booking records are held by the Russell County Sheriff's Office or the Phenix City Police Department. Court case records, including charges, pleas, and dispositions, are held by the Russell County Circuit or District Court. Statewide criminal history reports are available through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Step 2 — Submit a Request to the Russell County Circuit Court For court records, members of the public may submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk's Office at 501 14th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867. Requests should include the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, and the approximate date range of the case. The court accepts in-person requests during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM) and may accept written mail requests. Fees for copies are assessed per page in accordance with the court's current fee schedule.
Step 3 — Request Arrest Records from the Sheriff's Office or Local Police Arrest records and jail booking information may be requested directly from the Russell County Sheriff's Office. The Phenix City Police Department handles incident and arrest reports for offenses occurring within Phenix City. Requesters should provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of the incident.
Step 4 — Obtain a Statewide Criminal History Report Through ALEA For a comprehensive criminal history that includes records from across Alabama, members of the public and employers may submit a request through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Criminal Records division. The Alabama background check process requires submission of identifying information and applicable fees. Employers conducting background checks on prospective employees may access this service through ALEA's online portal.
Step 5 — Provide Required Identification Most agencies require a valid government-issued photo identification at the time of an in-person request. Third-party requesters may be required to provide written authorization from the subject of the record.
How To Find Criminal Records in Russell County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Russell County criminal records and related justice system information without requiring an in-person visit.
Alabama Alacourt.gov — Court Case Search The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts operates the Alacourt system, which provides online access to circuit and district court case information statewide, including Russell County. Users may search by name, case number, or date range. The portal contains case filing dates, charge descriptions, hearing schedules, and disposition information. Some records may require registration or payment of a subscription fee for full access.
Russell County Circuit Court — Record Request Portal The Record Request and Copies page maintained by the Russell County Circuit Court provides guidance on submitting requests electronically or by mail. While full case documents may not be available for download, the portal outlines the procedures and fees applicable to certified copy requests.
Alabama Department of Corrections — Inmate Search The Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search tool allows members of the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities. The database contains information on currently incarcerated inmates only; historical incarceration data is not available through this online tool.
Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles provides information regarding individuals under active parole or probation supervision statewide. This resource supports public safety transparency and allows verification of supervision status for individuals released from Alabama correctional facilities.
Russell County Sheriff's Office — Jail Roster The Russell County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster that may be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by contacting the jail directly. The roster reflects individuals currently held in the Russell County Detention Center.
Phenix City Police Department 215 Broad Street, Phenix City, AL 36867 (334) 448-2800 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Phenix City Police Department
Can You Search Russell County Criminal Records for Free?
Alabama law currently provides members of the public with the right to inspect public records at no charge, though fees may apply for copies. Under § 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code, citizens are entitled to personally inspect public writings, and agencies may charge only reasonable fees for producing copies rather than for the act of inspection itself.
The following resources are available at no cost:
- In-person inspection of court records at the Russell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office (501 14th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867) during public counter hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search — the online inmate locator is free to use for currently incarcerated individuals
- Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles supervision status information, accessible at no charge through the agency's public portal
- Russell County Sheriff's Office jail roster — current booking and detention information is generally available without charge
- Alacourt public case search — basic case index information may be viewed at no cost, though full document retrieval may require fees
Fees are typically assessed for the following:
- Certified copies of court documents (per-page fees set by the court)
- Comprehensive statewide criminal history reports obtained through ALEA, which require payment of a processing fee
- Notarized or exemplified copies of records
Members of the public who wish to inspect records without incurring copy fees may do so in person at the relevant agency's public counter during posted business hours.
What's Included in a Russell County Criminal Record?
A Russell County criminal record is a composite document drawing from multiple agency sources, and its contents vary depending on the stage of the criminal process and the agency providing the record.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Physical description, including height, weight, eye color, and hair color
- Mugshot photograph taken at the time of booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by ALEA
- FBI Number, if the individual's fingerprints have been submitted to the federal system
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Phenix City Police, or other law enforcement)
- Booking number and date of booking
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set and conditions of release
- Name of the detention facility where the individual was held
Court Case Information
- Case number and assigned court (Circuit or District Court)
- Jurisdiction and filing date
- Specific charges and applicable Alabama Code statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting agency
- Hearing dates and continuances
Disposition Information
- Verdict or final disposition
- Conviction date, if applicable
- Sentencing details, including type of sentence (incarceration, probation, suspended sentence), length, fines, restitution ordered, and special conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole terms and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding warrants or bench warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status, if applicable
- DUI or DWI notations
- Traffic-related criminal violations
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Russell County Keep Criminal Records?
Russell County agencies retain criminal records in accordance with Alabama's records retention schedules, which are established under the authority of the Alabama Department of Archives and History and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and agency.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony conviction records — retained permanently by the Alabama court system and ALEA's criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor conviction records — retained for a minimum of five years following final disposition, with many records retained permanently in electronic systems
- Arrest records without conviction — retained for a minimum of five years; individuals who qualify may petition for expungement under § 15-27-1 et seq. of the Alabama Code, which governs the expungement of certain non-conviction records
- Juvenile records — retained until the subject reaches age 30 in most circumstances, after which destruction may be authorized under court order
- Jail booking records — retained by the Russell County Sheriff's Office for a minimum of five years
- Court case files (civil and criminal) — circuit court records are subject to the Alabama Judicial Records Retention Schedule, with felony case files retained permanently and misdemeanor case files retained for a minimum of ten years
- Probation and parole records — retained by the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles for the duration of supervision and for a defined period thereafter
State agencies, including ALEA, maintain criminal history records indefinitely in their statewide repository unless a court order for expungement is received and processed. Upon expungement, the record is removed from public access, though law enforcement agencies may retain sealed copies for internal use as permitted by law.
Alabama Department of Archives and History 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130 (334) 242-4435 Alabama Department of Archives and History
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Criminal Records Unit 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 353-4340 Alabama Law Enforcement Agency