Search Sumter County Inmate Records

Sumter County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Livingston. This rural county in western Alabama does not have an online jail roster. You must call the jail to ask about current inmates. The sheriff's office handles all booking, housing, and release info for inmates held at the county jail in Sumter County.

Sumter County Sheriff's Office

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Livingston. Sheriff Jerome Boykin leads the department. The office serves about 12,500 residents across a large rural area in western Alabama. Staff work around the clock at the jail. Deputies patrol vast stretches of farmland and small towns throughout Sumter County.

The sheriff's office sits on Washington Street in downtown Livingston. The jail is at the same location. This setup is common in small Alabama counties. The building holds the administrative offices, dispatch, and detention center all in one place. You can visit in person during business hours to ask about inmates or request records in Sumter County.

Because Sumter County does not have an online inmate roster, you must contact the sheriff's office directly for inmate info. Call the jail and provide the name of the person you are looking for. Staff can tell you if someone is currently held, what charges they face, and what the bond amount is. They can also give you info about visitation and how to post bond in Sumter County.

How to Find Sumter County Inmates

Sumter County does not post an online jail roster. This is common in small rural Alabama counties. The office lacks the budget and staff for a web portal. To find out if someone is in the Sumter County jail, you must call the sheriff's office. Staff can search their system and give you info over the phone.

Call (205) 652-4281 to reach the jail. Have the full name of the person you are looking for ready. A date of birth helps narrow the search if the name is common. Staff can tell you the current charges, bond amount, and booking date. They can also let you know when the person has a court date in Sumter County.

To inquire about Sumter County inmates, have this info ready:

• Full legal name of the person
• Date of birth if known
• Approximate arrest date if known

The jail staff can give basic info to the public. They will tell you if someone is held, the charges, and the bond. More detailed records may require a formal request. If you need copies of booking paperwork or arrest reports, ask about the request process when you call in Sumter County.

For state prisoners from Sumter County, use the ADOC Inmate Search online tool. The sheriff's office only handles county jail inmates. People with sentences over one year transfer to state prison. ADOC maintains those records. The state assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number that tracks them through the prison system.

Sumter County Inmate Record Fees

Phone inquiries about current inmates are free in Sumter County. You pay nothing to ask if someone is in jail. The sheriff's office will give basic info at no charge. Fees apply when you need official copies of records or want a background check done.

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in Sumter County. You pay by money order or cash at the clerk's office in the courthouse. 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 Sumter 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 is useful when you need more detail than what jail staff can provide over the phone in Sumter County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. This fee is not refundable even if no records exist. Local 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 ahead to confirm current fees before making a records request in Sumter County.

How to Request Records in Sumter County

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

To request in person, go to the sheriff's office at 100 Washington Street in Livingston during business hours. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what records you need. They can search the system and print copies while you wait for most requests. Be ready to pay fees at the time of your visit in Sumter County.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full name of the person, date of birth if known, and what records you want. Include your contact info and a check or money order for any fees. Mail it to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at 100 Washington Street, Livingston, AL 35470. Allow two to three weeks for processing.

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 Sumter County.

Sumter County in Rural Western Alabama

Sumter County sits in the western part of Alabama along the Mississippi state line. The county is part of the Black Belt region, named for its dark fertile soil. Agriculture has long been the main industry here. Cotton and timber drove the economy for over a century. Today soybeans, cattle, and catfish farming sustain many families in Sumter County.

Livingston is the county seat and largest town. The University of West Alabama sits in Livingston and brings students and faculty to the area. The school is the main employer in town. Without it, Livingston would be much smaller. Students sometimes have run-ins with local law enforcement, but serious crime rates stay low. The jail handles a small number of inmates compared to urban counties in Sumter County.

The small population means limited government resources. This is why Sumter County does not have an online jail roster. The sheriff's office serves the same functions as larger departments but with fewer staff and a smaller budget. Deputies cover large areas of rural roads and farms. Response times can be long due to the distances involved in Sumter County.

Sumter County shares borders with Mississippi to the west. The Tombigbee River runs through the western edge. Demopolis and the Black Warrior River sit to the east in Marengo County. If you are looking for an inmate and Sumter County jail staff say they do not have that person, try checking neighboring counties. Inmates sometimes transfer based on bed space or security needs in Sumter 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 Sumter 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 logs, booking records, and most inmate files. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The law applies to all public agencies in Sumter 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 Sumter 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. In Sumter County, you can still call the jail to ask about current inmates even if you live out of state. Staff will give basic info over the phone. Formal written requests require proof of residency in Sumter County.

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. Sumter County follows these retention rules.

Visiting Inmates at Sumter County Jail

Call the jail at (205) 652-4281 to ask about visitation rules and hours in Sumter County. Staff can tell you when visits are allowed and what you need to bring. Rules may vary based on the inmate's housing status and behavior. Some inmates may have holds that block visits entirely.

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 Sumter County.

Because Sumter County is a small rural jail, visitation times may be limited compared to larger facilities. Plan ahead and call before making a trip. The jail sits in downtown Livingston and is easy to find. Parking is available near the courthouse area in Sumter County.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County has several small towns. All of them use the county jail in Livingston. Town police and county deputies make arrests and bring people to the sheriff's office. Livingston is the county seat and largest town with about 3,400 people. Other towns include York, Emelle, Cuba, and Geiger in Sumter County.

None of the towns in Sumter County have populations over 50,000. In fact, no town has more than 4,000 residents. This means all inmates go to the county jail. There are no city jails in the county. Town courts may handle minor traffic cases, but serious crimes go to circuit court at the Livingston courthouse in Sumter County.

The county covers about 905 square miles. Most of this land is rural. Farms, forests, and pastures stretch between the small towns. Roads can be isolated. If you are looking for someone arrested in a remote part of the county, they will still be taken to the main jail in Livingston in Sumter County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Sumter 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 has its own process for inmate inquiries.

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 Sumter County jail 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 call the jail every day. VINE covers all Alabama counties including Sumter County. This is especially useful in counties without online rosters.