St. Clair County Inmate Records

St. Clair County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office. This county is unique in Alabama because it has two county seats and two jails. Ashville sits in the north part of the county. Pell City serves the south. The sheriff runs both jail facilities and posts an online roster at stclairsheriff.org. You can search current inmates for free anytime.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office runs both jail facilities. Sheriff Billy Murray leads the department. The office serves over 91,000 residents across a large rural area. Staff work around the clock at both jails. Deputies patrol from the Tennessee Valley foothills to the edges of the Birmingham metro area. The department handles all county arrests and inmate housing in St. Clair County.

Because St. Clair County has two county seats, the sheriff maintains offices in both Ashville and Pell City. Each location has its own jail and booking area. This setup dates back over 100 years. It serves the geographic spread of the county well. People in the north do not have to travel far for court. People in the south have Pell City close by. The sheriff assigns inmates to one jail or the other based on where they were arrested in St. Clair County.

You can reach the sheriff's office by phone at either location. The main office handles general questions. Each jail has separate phone lines for booking info and visitation. Call ahead if you need details about a specific inmate in St. Clair County.

How to Search St. Clair County Inmates Online

St. Clair County offers a free online inmate roster. The search shows inmates from both the Ashville and Pell City jails. You can look up current inmates at any time without paying a fee. Results include mugshots, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. The roster updates throughout the day as new inmates arrive in St. Clair County.

Go to the sheriff's website at stclairsheriff.org/corrections and click on the inmate roster link. Enter a first or last name to search. You can also browse the full list of current inmates. The roster shows which facility holds each person. This tells you if someone is at the Ashville jail or the Pell City jail in St. Clair County.

To search St. Clair County inmates, you need this info:

• First or last name of the person
• Which jail location if known
• Date of birth if available

The online roster shows basic details for each inmate. You see the booking date and all current charges with bond amounts. Release dates appear when set by the court. Some profiles show the court date for upcoming hearings. Check back often as info changes when charges are added or bonds are modified in St. Clair County.

For state prisoners from St. Clair County, use the ADOC Inmate Search instead. The county roster only shows current county jail inmates. People with sentences over one year transfer to state prison. ADOC handles those records. The state assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number that helps track them through the system.

St. Clair County Inmate Record Fees

The online inmate roster is free to view. You pay nothing to search current inmates in St. Clair County. This applies to both the Ashville and Pell City jail rosters. Fees apply when you need official copies or want background check documents.

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in St. Clair County. You pay by money order or cash at the clerk's office. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront. Property bonds need approval from the court in St. Clair County.

For court records tied to criminal cases, try Alacourt ACCESS. This state system costs $9.99 per name search. You get case details, charges, and court outcomes. Document images cost extra per page. This works when you need more detail than the jail roster shows in St. Clair County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. This fee is not refundable even if no records exist. County background checks range from $5 to $25. Copy fees at the sheriff's office run about $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call the office to confirm current fees before making a records request in St. Clair County.

How to Request Records in St. Clair County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in St. Clair County. The method depends on what you need. In-person visits work best for urgent requests. Phone calls handle quick questions about current inmates. Mail requests work for official copies and background checks.

To request in person, go to either the Ashville or Pell City sheriff's office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what records you need. They can search the system and print copies while you wait. Some requests may take longer if records are older or archived. Be ready to pay fees at the time of your visit in St. Clair County.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full name of the inmate, date of birth if known, and what records you want. Include your contact info and a check or money order for fees. You can mail it to either office. Allow two to three weeks for processing and a response.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to Alabama residents. The agency must acknowledge your request within 10 business days. They must respond within 15 business days after that. If they deny your request, they must explain why in writing in St. Clair County.

St. Clair County's Two County Seats and Two Jails

St. Clair County stands alone in Alabama with two official county seats. Ashville serves the northern part of the county. Pell City serves the southern part. Each town has a courthouse, clerk's office, and jail. This dual system dates back to 1907 when the county split its government to better serve residents across a large area. The setup remains in place today in St. Clair County.

The Ashville jail sits on 5th Avenue in the heart of downtown. It serves arrests from the northern half of the county. Towns like Springville, Odenville, and Ragland fall under the Ashville court jurisdiction. The Pell City jail on Cogswell Avenue handles the southern half. Moody, Leeds, and areas near I-20 use the Pell City facility. When you search for an inmate, the roster shows which jail holds them in St. Clair County.

This two-jail system means you may need to check both locations. If you plan to visit an inmate, confirm which jail they are at before making the trip. Visitation hours and rules may differ slightly between facilities. Bond can be posted at either courthouse depending on where the case is filed. This setup gives residents options but can cause confusion for people not familiar with St. Clair County.

The county population has grown as Birmingham's suburbs expand east along I-20. Pell City sees most of this growth. Logan Martin Lake draws retirees and second-home owners. Despite growth, the dual county seat system remains popular with residents. It keeps government services close to where people live across this large rural county in St. Clair County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records including inmate data. Several statutes govern how these records work in St. Clair County. Knowing the rules helps when you make a request or want to understand what info you can get.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives the right to inspect public records. This covers jail rosters, booking logs, and most inmate files. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The law applies to all public agencies in St. Clair County. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must give copies upon request and payment of a fair fee.

Some records are protected from public view. Youthful offender files stay sealed under Section 15-19-7. The court may allow access in special cases. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical data stays private. Security info about jail operations may be blocked in St. Clair County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must show proof of residency like a driver's license or voter card. Out-of-state requests may be denied. But the online jail roster is open to anyone with internet access. This lets non-residents search current inmates without a formal request in St. Clair County. Law enforcement can access sealed records for official use.

Court clerks must enter sentencing orders into the State Judicial Information System within five days under Section 14-3-30. This keeps records current across the state. Records can only be destroyed with consent of the State Records Commission under Section 41-13-5. St. Clair County follows these rules at both courthouse locations.

Visiting Inmates at St. Clair County Jails

Visitation rules apply at both St. Clair County jail facilities. Call ahead to confirm hours and rules at the specific location where your inmate is held. The Ashville and Pell City jails may have different visitation schedules. Staff can tell you when visits are allowed and what you need to bring.

Visitors must be on the inmate's approved list. The inmate submits names for approval after booking. This process takes a few days. Bring a valid photo ID to your visit. Follow all dress code rules. Staff may turn away visitors who do not comply with jail policies in St. Clair County.

Some inmates have holds that block visits. Check with jail staff before making a long trip. Video visitation may be available for some inmates. Ask about options when you call the jail in St. Clair County.

Cities in St. Clair County

St. Clair County has several cities and towns. All of them use the county jails. City police make arrests and bring people to either the Ashville or Pell City jail. Pell City is the largest city in the southern part of the county. Ashville, Springville, Ragland, and Odenville are among the other towns in St. Clair County.

None of the cities in St. Clair County have populations over 50,000. This means all inmates go to the county jails. City courts handle minor traffic cases and code violations. Serious crimes go to circuit court at either the Ashville or Pell City courthouse in St. Clair County.

The county sits between Birmingham and Gadsden. Growth along I-20 has brought new residents to the area. Moody and Leeds sit partly in St. Clair County. Logan Martin Lake draws visitors and part-time residents. Despite growth, the county remains largely rural outside of Pell City.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Clair County. If you are not sure where someone is held, check nearby counties too. Inmates sometimes transfer between jurisdictions. Each county runs its own jail and roster system.

Get Alerts When Inmates Are Released

VINE lets you track inmates across Alabama. Sign up at vinelink.com or call 877-846-3425. You get alerts when someone is released from custody. This works for St. Clair County jails and state prisons. The service is free and confidential.

Victims of crime can register to get notified about offender status changes. You receive updates by phone, email, or text. This helps you stay informed without having to check the roster daily. VINE covers all Alabama counties including St. Clair County.