Search Dallas County Inmate Records

Dallas County inmate records are managed by the sheriff's office in Selma. The county jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. Sheriff Mike Granthum runs the department and maintains a free online jail lookup. Dallas County has deep roots in civil rights history, and the courthouse in Selma remains a landmark. Staff process bookings and releases around the clock at the county jail in Dallas County.

Dallas County Sheriff's Office

The Dallas County Sheriff's Office handles all jail operations and inmate records. Sheriff Mike Granthum leads the department. The main office is in Selma, which serves as the county seat. Deputies patrol the rural areas and respond to calls across Dallas County. The jail staff manage booking, housing, and releases each day.

Selma is the largest city in Dallas County. The sheriff's office works with Selma police on law enforcement matters. When Selma police make an arrest, they bring the person to the county jail. The same is true for smaller towns in the county. All inmates end up at the Dallas County jail regardless of which agency made the arrest.

You can contact the sheriff's office by phone or visit in person. The jail operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Office hours for administrative matters are weekdays only. Call ahead if you need info about a specific inmate or want to confirm visitation times in Dallas County.

How to Search Dallas County Inmates Online

Dallas County provides a free jail lookup tool online. You can search by name to find current inmates. Go to dallascounty.org/jaillookup to use the search. Enter a first or last name and submit. The system shows matching results from the current jail roster in Dallas County.

Each result displays key info about the inmate. You see the full name and booking date. Charges and bond amounts are listed. Mugshots appear for most inmates in the system. The roster updates as new people are booked and others are released. This helps you track who is currently in the Dallas County jail.

To search Dallas County inmates, you need this info:

• First or last name of the person
• Approximate date of arrest if known
• Any known aliases

The online lookup shows current inmates only. If someone was released, they will not appear. For past records, contact the sheriff's office directly. Staff can search historical bookings going back years. This requires a formal request and may involve a fee in Dallas County.

State prisoners from Dallas County are in a different system. Use the ADOC Inmate Search for people serving over one year. The county jail roster only covers local inmates. Those with long sentences transfer to state prison after sentencing.

Dallas County Inmate Record Fees

The online jail lookup is free. You can search current inmates without paying in Dallas County. Fees apply when you need official copies or certified documents. The sheriff's office charges for background checks and written record requests. Contact them for current fee amounts.

Posting bond requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The filing fee is around $35 in Dallas County. You pay by money order or cash. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the bond total. Cash bonds need the full amount. Property bonds must be approved by a judge in Dallas County.

Court records are available through Alacourt ACCESS. This costs $9.99 per name search. You get access to criminal cases, civil suits, and traffic matters. This is helpful when you need more than jail booking info for someone in Dallas County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for old state inmate records. Local copy fees run $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost extra. These fees cover staff time and supplies for processing requests in Dallas County.

How to Request Records in Dallas County

You can request Dallas County inmate records several ways. Online searches give you current info fast. Phone calls work for simple questions. In-person visits allow direct access to files. Mail requests get you official copies when needed.

For in-person requests, go to the sheriff's office in Selma. Bring photo ID. Tell staff what records you need. They can search and print copies while you wait in most cases. Older records may take longer to find. Be prepared to pay fees at the time of your visit in Dallas County.

To request by mail, send a letter with the inmate's full name and birth date. Describe what records you need. Include your contact info and payment for any fees. Mail to the Dallas County Sheriff's Office at 105 Lauderdale Street, Selma, AL 36701. Expect two to three weeks for a reply.

Alabama law supports public access to records. Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives residents the right to inspect public records. Agencies must acknowledge requests within 10 business days. They have 15 more days to respond after that in Dallas County.

Dallas County Civil Rights History

Dallas County played a major role in the civil rights movement. Selma was the starting point for the 1965 march to Montgomery. The Edmund Pettus Bridge saw the events of Bloody Sunday. This history still shapes the county today. The courthouse and jail facilities have seen many changes since that era.

The civil rights connection brings visitors to Selma each year. The National Voting Rights Museum sits downtown. Historical markers dot the city. The sheriff's office operates in this context of history. Criminal justice practices in Dallas County have evolved over the decades since the movement.

Today's Dallas County jail operates under modern standards. Inmates have rights protected by state and federal law. The online jail lookup shows transparency in who is held and why. This openness reflects changes in how the justice system works. Access to records helps families and the public in Dallas County.

The county population has declined from its peak years. Selma has about 17,000 residents now. The county total is around 38,000. This smaller population means a smaller jail. But the facility still handles steady bookings from local law enforcement across Dallas County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law provides access to public records including jail data. Several statutes govern how records work in Dallas County. Knowing these laws helps when you search for inmates or request documents.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 establishes the right to inspect public records. This covers jail rosters and booking info. You do not need a reason to request records. The law applies to all public agencies in Dallas County. Section 36-12-41 requires agencies to provide copies for a fair fee.

Certain records are protected. Youthful offender files stay sealed under Section 15-19-7. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical info is private under HIPAA. Security details about jail operations may also be restricted in Dallas County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must prove residency with a driver's license or voter card. The online jail lookup is open to anyone though. Non-residents can view current inmates without a formal request in Dallas County.

Cities in Dallas County

Dallas County has a few cities and towns. All use the county jail. City police make arrests and transport people to the jail in Selma. The main city is Selma with about 17,000 people. Orrville and other small communities are also in the county. None has a population over 50,000.

Selma police handle most urban arrests in Dallas County. The Selma Police Department is separate from the sheriff's office. But all inmates go to the same county jail. You search the same roster regardless of which agency made the arrest in Dallas County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dallas County. If you cannot find someone locally, check nearby jails too. Inmates may transfer between counties. Each has its own roster system.