Limestone County Inmate Records

Limestone County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Athens. The county jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving sentences under one year. There is no public online roster for Limestone County. You must call the jail to check on current inmates. Limestone County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama with about 110,000 residents. Athens is the county seat.

Limestone County Sheriff's Office

The Limestone County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail in Athens. Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin leads the department. Deputies handle patrol and investigations while corrections officers run the jail. The county has grown fast in recent years, pushing up demand for jail space. Staff work around the clock to process inmates in Limestone County.

The jail sits near the courthouse in Athens. Inmates come from local police agencies, sheriff's deputies, and state troopers. The booking process includes mugshots, fingerprints, and a health check. Most people wait for their bond hearing or court date. The growing population means more arrests and a busier jail in Limestone County.

Contact the sheriff's office by phone during business hours. The jail line is staffed 24/7 for inmate questions. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody and tell you the bond amount. For records requests, call or visit during regular office hours in Limestone County.

How to Find Limestone County Inmates

Limestone County does not post an online jail roster. The sheriff's website has general info but no live inmate list. To check if someone is in custody, you must call the jail directly. This is common in counties that lack budget for online systems. The trade-off is that staff can answer follow-up questions right away in Limestone County.

Call the jail at (256) 232-0023 to ask about inmates. Give the staff the person's name. They will check the system and tell you if that person is held there. You can ask about charges and bond amount. For detailed records or copies, visit in person during office hours in Limestone County.

To check on a Limestone County inmate, have this info ready:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if you have it
• Date or time of arrest

The more info you give, the faster the search goes. Common names take longer to sort out. If you know the exact arrest date, that helps narrow results. Staff handle many calls, so have your details ready before calling in Limestone County.

For state inmates from Limestone County, use the ADOC Inmate Search. This free tool covers people serving more than one year in state prison. ADOC assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number. The county jail only holds short-term inmates and those awaiting trial in Limestone County.

Limestone County Inmate Record Fees

Phone calls to check on inmates are free. You can call the jail and ask basic questions at no cost. Fees apply when you request printed records or certified copies. The sheriff's office sets rates for documents in Limestone County.

Bond amounts depend on charges. The court sets bond at the first hearing. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront. A licensed bondsman charges about 10% and posts the rest. The bond filing fee is $35 in most Alabama courts. This goes to the Circuit Clerk with the paperwork in Limestone County.

For court records, use Alacourt ACCESS. This statewide system costs $9.99 per name search. You get case info, charges, and hearing dates. This helps when you need more than basic jail data. Alacourt covers all courts in Limestone County.

ADOC records cost $25 minimum for historical searches. This covers people sent to state prison from Limestone County. The fee is not refundable. Send Form 23-A to ADOC in Montgomery with a money order. Response time is two to four weeks.

How to Request Records in Limestone County

You can request inmate records by phone, in person, or by mail in Limestone County. The method depends on what you need. Phone works for quick questions. In-person visits let you get copies right away. Mail works for formal requests.

To visit in person, go to the sheriff's office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what records you need. They can search and print copies while you wait. Some archived records take longer to pull. Be ready to pay any fees when you visit in Limestone 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 payment. Mail to Limestone County Sheriff's Office, 101 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611. Allow two to three weeks for a reply.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, residents can inspect public records. The sheriff must respond within 15 business days. If they deny your request, they must give a reason in writing. You can appeal through the courts in Limestone County.

Limestone County's Rapid Growth

Limestone County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama. The population jumped from about 82,000 in 2010 to over 110,000 today. New residents move here for jobs in the Huntsville area and affordable housing. This growth creates challenges for the jail and sheriff's office in Limestone County.

More people means more calls to the sheriff. More traffic means more accidents and arrests. The jail sees higher intake numbers each year. Staff must handle a growing workload with limited space. County leaders have discussed expanding the jail to meet demand in Limestone County.

Athens is the county seat with about 28,000 people. The city of Madison spans both Madison and Limestone counties. People living in the Limestone side of Madison use the Limestone County jail. Elkmont, Ardmore, and Mooresville are other towns in the area. All arrests from these places go to the county jail in Athens.

Limestone County shares the 6th Judicial Circuit with Lawrence and Morgan counties. Circuit court handles felonies from all three counties. District court in Athens covers misdemeanors. Track case info through Alacourt if you need court records beyond basic jail data in Limestone County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents access to public records including jail data. Several statutes govern how records work in Limestone County. Knowing these rules helps when you make a request or want to understand what is available.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 establishes the right to inspect public records. This covers jail rosters, booking logs, and most inmate files. You do not have to explain why you want records. This law applies to all agencies in Limestone County. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies for a fair fee.

Some records stay private. Youthful offender files are sealed per Section 15-19-7. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical info stays private under federal HIPAA rules. Jail security plans may also be withheld in Limestone County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You need to show ID like a license or voter card. Out-of-state requests may be turned down. Since there is no online roster, non-residents should call the jail directly for info about someone in Limestone County.

Cities in Limestone County

Limestone County has several cities and towns. None have populations over 50,000, so all inmates go to the county jail. There are no separate city jails in Limestone County. City police make arrests and bring people to the sheriff's facility.

Athens is the county seat with about 28,000 people. Madison city spans both Madison and Limestone counties. The Limestone portion of Madison uses this county's jail. Other towns include Elkmont, Ardmore, Mooresville, and Tanner. These are growing communities with expanding police needs. All arrests lead to the county jail in Athens.

Note: The city of Madison spans Madison and Limestone counties. See the Madison city page for information about that city.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Limestone County. If you cannot find someone in the Limestone County jail, check nearby counties. Inmates sometimes transfer between facilities. Each county maintains its own records system.