Clarke County Inmate Records

Clarke County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Grove Hill. The county does not have an online jail roster. You must call the jail to check on inmates. Staff can tell you who is in custody and share basic booking info. Clarke County sits in southwest Alabama and covers a large rural area.

Clarke County Sheriff's Office

The Clarke County Sheriff's Office runs the jail in Grove Hill. Deputies patrol the county and serve court papers. Corrections staff handle all booking and housing of inmates. The department covers all of Clarke County including Grove Hill, Jackson, and Thomasville. Staff work around the clock to keep the jail safe and running in Clarke County.

The jail sits near the courthouse in Grove Hill. It takes inmates from all police agencies in the county. Most people booked here stay for short sentences or while waiting for trial. Sentences over one year go to state prison. The sheriff's office keeps all local inmate records and answers questions about custody in Clarke County.

You can reach the sheriff's office by phone during business hours. The jail takes calls 24 hours a day. This is important since there is no online roster. Visit in person if you need copies of records or want to post bond. Bring a valid photo ID when you come to Clarke County.

How to Search Clarke County Inmates

Clarke County does not have an online inmate roster. You must call the jail to check on inmates. The phone number is (251) 275-3245. Staff answer around the clock. They can tell you if someone is in custody and share basic booking info for inmates in Clarke County.

When you call, have the person's full name ready. If you know their date of birth, that helps too. Staff will search their system and tell you what they find. They can share charges, bond amounts, and booking dates over the phone. For detailed records, you may need to visit in person in Clarke County.

To check on Clarke County inmates:

• Call the jail at (251) 275-3245
• Have the person's full name ready
• Ask about charges and bond
• Visit in person for detailed records

The lack of an online roster means more phone calls. Keep the jail number saved in your phone if you check often. Staff are usually helpful and can answer basic questions. For a copy of booking records, plan a trip to Grove Hill in Clarke County.

For state prisoners from Clarke County, use the ADOC Inmate Search. The county jail handles local inmates only. People with sentences over one year go to state prison. ADOC keeps those records separate.

Clarke County Inmate Record Fees

Phone inquiries are free. You pay nothing to call and ask about inmates. Fees apply when you need official copies of records. The sheriff's office provides booking documents for a small charge per page in Clarke County.

Bond filing costs money at the Circuit Clerk. The fee is around $35 in Clarke County. Pay by money order or cash. Bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront. Property bonds need court approval.

For court records, try Alacourt ACCESS. This costs $9.99 per name search. You get case details and charges. ADOC charges $25 minimum for old state inmate records. Copy fees at the sheriff's office run $0.25 to $1.00 per page in Clarke County.

How to Request Records in Clarke County

You can request inmate records by phone, in person, or by mail in Clarke County. Phone calls give you basic current info for free. For official copies, you need to go in person or send a written request. Staff can help you get what you need.

To request in person, go to the jail in Grove Hill. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell them what records you need. They can search the system and print copies while you wait. Some older records take longer to find. Be ready to pay copy fees when you visit in Clarke County.

For mail requests, write a letter with the inmate's full name, date of birth if known, and what records you want. Include your contact info and a check for fees. Mail it to the Clarke County Sheriff's Office at 217 Court Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451. Allow two to three weeks for a response.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to Alabama residents. The office must respond within 15 business days. If they deny your request, they must explain why in writing.

Clarke County Sheriff and Rural Coverage

Clarke County is one of the larger counties in Alabama by land area. It covers over 1,200 square miles. The population is spread thin across small towns and rural areas. Deputies patrol long stretches of country roads. The jail in Grove Hill serves this entire area in Clarke County.

Grove Hill is a small town of about 1,500 people. It sits in the center of the county. Other towns include Jackson, Thomasville, and Coffeeville. None are large. The rural nature means many residents live far from the county seat. Visiting the jail or courthouse takes time for people on the edges of Clarke County.

The sheriff's office has limited web presence. There is a department page but no online jail roster. This is common in rural Alabama counties. Budgets are tight. Building and maintaining a roster website costs money. Phone access remains the main way to check on inmates in Clarke County.

Clarke County also houses some inmates from Choctaw County since that jail closed. This adds to the workload. The jail staff handle bookings from multiple jurisdictions. When you call, ask if the person was arrested in Clarke County or brought in from elsewhere.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records. This includes jail rosters and booking logs. Knowing these rules helps when you make a request in Clarke County. The laws say what you can see and what stays private.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives you the right to inspect public records. This covers most inmate files. You do not need a reason for your request. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies for a fair fee in Clarke County.

Some records stay sealed. Youthful offender files are protected under Section 15-19-7. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical data stays private. Security info about jail operations may also be blocked in Clarke County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. Show proof like a driver's license. Out-of-state requests may be denied. Phone calls about current inmates are usually answered for anyone who asks.

Cities in Clarke County

Clarke County has several small cities and towns. Grove Hill is the county seat. Other towns include Jackson, Thomasville, and Coffeeville. All local police send arrested people to the county jail. City courts handle minor cases. Serious charges go to circuit court in Clarke County.

Jackson sits in the southern part of the county. Thomasville is in the northeast near the Clarke-Marengo line. Coffeeville has historical significance as a river town. All of these areas use the Clarke County jail for inmates.

None of the cities in Clarke County have populations over 50,000. They do not have separate city pages on this site. For inmate info, call the county jail at (251) 275-3245.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clarke County. If you cannot find someone in the local jail, check nearby counties too. Inmates sometimes transfer. Each county runs its own jail and roster system.