Hoover Inmate Records

Hoover inmate records may be held at three different facilities. The city runs its own jail for local charges. Hoover also spans two counties, so arrests may go to Jefferson County or Shelby County depending on where they happen. This is rare in Alabama. Most cities sit in just one county. Hoover residents need to check all three locations to find someone in custody.

Where Hoover Inmates Are Held

Hoover operates its own city jail. This makes it different from most Alabama cities. The city jail holds people on municipal charges like traffic crimes, minor offenses, and city code violations. Sentences of up to 12 months can be served at the city jail. The Hoover Police Department runs the facility at the police station on Municipal Drive.

Arrests for more serious crimes go to county jails. Where they go depends on the location of the arrest. The western parts of Hoover sit in Jefferson County. Arrests there go to the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham or Bessemer. The eastern parts of Hoover sit in Shelby County. Arrests there go to the Shelby County Jail in Columbiana. Police know which county they are in based on the address of the crime in Hoover.

The booking process works the same as other cities. Hoover police arrest someone and bring them to the station. Staff take mugshots and fingerprints. They enter data into the system. If the charge is a city offense, the person stays at the Hoover jail. If it is a state or county charge, they transfer to the right county jail. This may happen within hours of the arrest in Hoover.

Hoover Police Department

The Hoover Police Department is one of the largest city forces in Alabama. About 200 sworn officers serve the city. They patrol both the Jefferson County and Shelby County parts of Hoover. The department handles all arrests within city limits. Chief Nick Derzis leads the force. The main station is on Municipal Drive near the Hoover Met sports complex.

The police station houses the city jail and records division. You can visit during business hours to ask about inmate records. Staff can look up current inmates and recent releases. They can also tell you if someone was transferred to a county facility. Bring valid ID when you visit. Call ahead if you need info about a specific case in Hoover.

The records division handles public records requests. You can ask for arrest reports, booking data, and other files. Some records are free. Others have copy fees. The department follows Alabama public records law under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. Requests take time to process. Allow a few days for staff to gather what you need in Hoover.

How to Search Hoover Inmates Online

Searching for Hoover inmates takes extra steps. You may need to check three different systems. Start with the county rosters since they are online and free. The Hoover city jail does not have a public online roster. You must call the police station or visit in person for city jail inmates in Hoover.

For Jefferson County inmates, go to jeffcosheriffal.com and click on Corrections. The search portal shows all inmates at the Birmingham and Bessemer jails. Enter a name to search. Results show mugshots, charges, and bond amounts. The system updates throughout the day. This covers arrests from the Jefferson County side of Hoover.

For Shelby County inmates, go to inmatelisting.shelbyal.com. This is a dedicated inmate listing site for Shelby County. Search by name to find current inmates. The roster shows booking dates, charges, and bond info. This covers arrests from the Shelby County side of Hoover. Check this site if the Jefferson County search comes up empty.

To search Hoover inmates, you need this info:

• Full name or partial name of the person
• Approximate date of the arrest if known
• Location of the arrest if known (which side of Hoover)

For state inmates from Hoover, use the ADOC Inmate Search. This covers people with sentences over one year who went to state prison. The search is free. Enter the name or AIS number to find results. ADOC tracks all state prisoners regardless of which county they came from in Alabama.

Hoover Inmate Record Fees

Fees for Hoover inmate records depend on where you search. Online county rosters are free. You pay nothing to view the Jefferson County or Shelby County jail rosters. These show current inmates and recent releases. The city jail requires a call or visit, but basic info is usually free in Hoover.

Official copies cost money. The Hoover Police Department charges for copies of arrest reports and booking records. Fees vary by document type. Call the records division at (205) 444-7700 to ask about current rates. County sheriff offices also have copy fees. Most charge $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more in both counties.

Other fees to know for Hoover inmate records:

• ADOC state inmate search: Free for current inmates
• ADOC historical records: $25 minimum via Form 23-A
• Alacourt court records: $9.99 per name search
• Bond filing fee: $35 in most courts
• County background checks: $5 to $25

Bond costs depend on the charge and court. Municipal court handles city offenses. Circuit court handles felonies. Each has its own fee schedule. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront. Check with the right court before posting bond in Hoover.

Hoover Spans Two Counties

Hoover is one of the few Alabama cities that crosses a county line. The city sits in both Jefferson County and Shelby County. This creates a unique situation for inmate records. Which county handles an arrest depends on where the crime happened. The county line runs roughly through the middle of the city.

About 70% of Hoover sits in Jefferson County. This includes the Riverchase Galleria area, Hoover High School, and most of the commercial districts. Arrests in these areas go to the Jefferson County Jail. The jail is in Birmingham, about 15 minutes north of Hoover. Jefferson County processes over 43,000 inmates per year and has over 1,200 beds in Hoover's neighboring city.

About 30% of Hoover sits in Shelby County. This includes neighborhoods east of Highway 150 and areas near the Ross Bridge community. Arrests in these areas go to the Shelby County Jail in Columbiana. That jail is about 25 minutes south of Hoover. Shelby County has a smaller jail but uses a modern booking system in Alabama.

Hoover police know which county they are in at any given address. Their computers show the county line. When they make an arrest, they route the person to the correct county jail. This happens automatically based on the GPS location. Residents do not need to worry about which county applies. The police handle it during booking in Hoover.

If you are searching for someone arrested in Hoover, check both counties. Start with Jefferson County since it covers more of the city. If you do not find the person, search Shelby County next. Also check the Hoover city jail for minor charges. This three-step process covers all bases for Hoover inmate records.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law makes inmate records public. This applies to all three facilities that may hold Hoover inmates. You have the right to view jail rosters, booking logs, and most inmate files. The rules are the same whether the jail is run by a city or county in Alabama.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives residents the right to inspect public records. You do not need to give a reason for your request. This law covers the Hoover Police Department and both county sheriff offices. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies upon request and payment of a fair fee.

Some records are protected from public view. Youthful offender files stay sealed under Code of Alabama Section 15-19-7. A court order is needed to see these records. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. The person can say the arrest never happened. These rules apply to records from Hoover and both counties.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must show proof of residency. A driver's license or voter card works. Out-of-state requests may be denied. But online jail rosters are open to anyone. Non-residents can search Jefferson County and Shelby County inmates without proving residency in Alabama.

Jail Visitation for Hoover Inmates

Visiting an inmate from Hoover depends on which jail holds them. Each facility has its own rules and schedule. Call ahead to confirm visit times. Rules change and jails may cancel visits during lockdowns or emergencies. All visitors need valid photo ID at every location.

The Hoover City Jail has limited visitation. The jail is small and holds people for short stays. Most inmates transfer to county within a few days. Contact the police station at (205) 444-7700 to ask about visitation. They can tell you the current schedule and rules for visits in Hoover.

Jefferson County Jail visits run in the evening. The schedule varies by housing unit. Visit the sheriff website or call (205) 325-5670 for current times. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. The inmate submits names for approval. This takes a few days to process. Dress code rules apply. No revealing clothing or inmate-style uniforms allowed in Birmingham.

Shelby County Jail uses video visitation. You schedule visits in advance through an online system. Go to shelbyso.com and look for jail visitation info. Call (205) 670-6283 if you need help setting up a visit. Shelby County has specific hours for video calls. Check the website for the current schedule in Columbiana.

Jefferson County and Shelby County Records

Hoover sits in both Jefferson County and Shelby County. Most arrests go to one of these county jails. Jefferson County handles the western parts of Hoover. It runs the largest jail system in Alabama with two facilities. Shelby County handles the eastern parts of Hoover. It runs a modern jail in Columbiana with an online roster.

For full details on county jail rosters, contact info, and records procedures, visit the county pages below. Each county has its own sheriff, court system, and fee schedule. Knowing how each county works helps when you search for Hoover inmate records.

Other Alabama Cities

Ten Alabama cities have populations over 50,000. Hoover ranks sixth by size. Four of these cities have their own jails like Hoover does. The others use county facilities only. Each city links to its county for most inmate needs. Explore other major Alabama cities for inmate records info.