Jefferson County, Alabama · Birmingham, Bessemer, police and court records
Find a Jefferson County Booking and Verify the Criminal Case Outcome
A Jefferson County arrest can produce a Sheriff booking, city-jail entry, police incident report, bond record, District Court case, Circuit Court case or municipal-court file. Those records are controlled by different offices.
This guide explains the full process inside the page: how to search current and earlier bookings, decode charges and bonds, choose Birmingham or Bessemer, obtain a police report, find the correct court, order documents, check warrants, visit an inmate and correct or expunge a record.
Arrest does not mean conviction. A booking charge records an allegation received during arrest or intake. Charges may be changed, declined or dismissed, and the defendant may be acquitted. Verify the court disposition before describing the result.
County facilities
Birmingham and Bessemer.
Birmingham jail
Bessemer jail
Sheriff Records
Facts reviewed
July 27, 2026.
Which Jefferson County record answers your question?
COUNTY OR CITY JAIL
Is the person in custody?
Search the Jefferson County Sheriff roster for the Birmingham or Bessemer county jail. Search the separate Birmingham Police inmate portal for a Birmingham City Jail booking.
Best for: current custody, booking identity, housing facility, charges and bond.
ARRESTING AGENCY
What allegedly happened?
Request the incident or arrest report from the Sheriff, Birmingham Police or the municipal police department whose officer created it.
Best for: narrative, report number, incident location, officer observations and releasable evidence.
CRIMINAL COURT
What happened to the charge?
Use Municipal Court for Birmingham city misdemeanors, District Court for most state misdemeanors and preliminary felony matters, and Circuit Court for felony prosecutions.
Best for: filed charges, court dates, warrants, pleas, dismissal, judgment and sentencing.
Most reliable sequence: Locate the booking, save the subject and booking numbers, identify the housing facility and arresting agency, search every court case, and order only the police or certified court document still needed.
How to search Jefferson County jail bookings correctly
Jefferson County’s Inmate Inquiry includes current inmates and earlier booking records. It supports searches by name, subject number, booking number, custody status, booking-date range and housing facility.
Choose whether to limit the search to current custody
Leave the In Custody filter selected when the immediate question is whether the person is presently jailed. Remove the restriction when researching an earlier booking.
Begin with the surname
Search the legal last name before adding every field. A broad search helps catch omitted middle names, suffixes and spelling variations.
Add the first name only when needed
Add the legal first name when the surname produces too many results. Try a maiden name, former name or alternate spelling when necessary.
Use the subject number for identity
The subject number follows the person in the Sheriff system and can connect several booking events belonging to the same individual.
Use the booking number for one custody event
A booking number identifies a particular jail intake. Use it when the person has multiple bookings.
Narrow by booking dates
Enter a Booking From and Booking To range when researching a known arrest period rather than scrolling through many names.
Select Birmingham or Bessemer when known
The Housing Facility filter separates the two county detention locations.
Open the complete record
Review booking history, charges, bond, court agency and release information rather than relying only on the summary row.
What the Jefferson County inmate-search fields mean
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not establish | Practical next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject number | The person’s master identifier in the Sheriff system. | It does not show the final court outcome. | Save it when calling the jail or distinguishing same-name people. |
| Booking number | One specific intake or custody episode. | The person has only one arrest or case. | Use it for the event you are researching. |
| In Custody | Whether the system currently marks the person as detained. | The person has physically completed release processing. | Call the listed facility before arranging pickup. |
| Scheduled release date | A projected date entered into the jail system. | Release will occur at a guaranteed time. | Check for court changes, holds and release processing. |
| Housing facility | Birmingham or Bessemer county jail placement. | Housing cannot change later. | Use the matching phone number and visit schedule. |
| Multiple bookings | That the subject has more than one booking event in the system. | Every event resulted in a conviction. | Open the booking matching the correct arrest date. |
| Charge | The allegation connected with arrest, warrant or booking. | The prosecutor filed the identical charge or that guilt was proven. | Search the District, Circuit or Municipal Court case. |
| Bond | The bond entry associated with a listed matter. | Posting that amount clears every hold or case. | Ask Pre-Trial Release to review every case and detainer. |
| Booking photograph | A photograph created during jail processing. | A conviction, guilt or final case outcome. | Verify the subject number and date of birth. |
Verify the correct person before using an arrest record
First and last name match
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth is consistent
Booking date matches the known arrest
Housing facility matches the known location
Subject, booking or case number matches another record
Use at least two independent identifiers. Never send money, contact an employer, publish an accusation or treat a booking photograph as conclusive using only a matching name.
Same name, different birth date
Treat the records as belonging to different people unless the Sheriff or court confirms a clerical error.
Same subject number, several bookings
Open the booking whose date and charges match the event being researched.
Photo looks similar, identifier differs
The official subject number and date of birth are more reliable than visual resemblance.
No current facility shown
The record may be historical. Continue to the court case for the final outcome.
No Jefferson County inmate record found? Check these causes
The arrest is still being processed
Fingerprinting, medical screening, paperwork and data entry can delay the online result.
The person is in Birmingham City Jail
Search the separate Birmingham Police inmate portal for a city custody record.
The person was released
Remove the In Custody filter and search by name or booking-date range.
The person is in the other county division
Check both Birmingham and Bessemer housing facilities.
The name is entered differently
Try maiden names, aliases, suffix variations, hyphens and alternate spellings.
A municipal department made the arrest
The person may be in a city jail or the police report may remain with that municipality.
The person was transferred
Custody may have moved to another county, Alabama Department of Corrections, federal custody or another agency.
The record is restricted
Juvenile, expunged, confidential, medical and protected information may not appear publicly.
Call script for a missing booking
“I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have [subject, booking, report or case number]. Can you confirm whether the person is in Birmingham, Bessemer, released or transferred?”
Birmingham Jail versus Bessemer Jail
| Location | Address and jail contacts | Court-date contact | Pre-Trial Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County Jail – Birmingham |
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N Birmingham, AL 35203-0122 Main: 205-325-5670 Administration: 205-325-5772 |
District Court: 205-325-5309 Circuit Court: 205-325-5285 |
205-325-5716 |
| Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer |
1822 2nd Ave. N Bessemer, AL 35020 Main: 205-481-4160 Administration: 205-481-8502 |
District Court: 205-497-8520 Circuit Court: 205-497-8510 |
205-481-8529 |
What the facilities handle: Both jails house people awaiting trial or transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections. The Sheriff reports that the Corrections Division processes approximately 43,000 people annually and maintains an average combined population of about 1,000.
The jail does not control individual court dates. Use the matching District or Circuit Court contact rather than asking detention staff for a definitive hearing date.
Jefferson County Jail visitation schedules and rules
Confirm by telephone before travelling. Jefferson County’s jail page and the Sheriff’s Corrections page currently contain conflicting statements about Monday and Friday visitation. The Sheriff also states that all days and times are subject to change.
Schedule currently published on the Jefferson County jail page
| Day | Last name begins with | Published time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | A, B or C | 6 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Tuesday | D, E, F or G | 6 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Wednesday | H, I, J, K or L | 6 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Thursday | M, N, O, P or Q | 6 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Friday | R, S or T | 6 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Saturday | U, V, W, X, Y or Z | 6 p.m.–7:50 p.m. |
| Day | Housing or surname group | Published time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | A–G | 8 a.m.–11 a.m. |
| Saturday | H–Q | 1 p.m.–5 p.m. |
| Sunday | R–Z | 1 p.m.–4 p.m. |
| Sunday | Protective custody | 8 a.m.–10 a.m. |
| Odd Saturday | Maximum security 1 | 8 a.m.–10 a.m. |
| Even Sunday | Maximum security 2 | 8 a.m.–10 a.m. |
Sheriff visitation rules
Visitor must be at least 17
Valid state ID or driver licence is required
Inmate schedules a 45-minute slot one day ahead
Inmate may receive two visits per week
Maximum two adults and two children over age three
Children 16 and younger need a parent or guardian
Children under three visit only on the first Sunday
Visitors and belongings are subject to search
Leave these items outside
- Cell phones and other electronic devices.
- Purses, bags and packages.
- Food and drinks.
- Anything that could be treated as contraband.
Pay lockers: The Sheriff states that pay lockers are available in the lobby for prohibited personal items.
When the arrest is in Birmingham City Jail
Birmingham Police operates its own Custody Services Division. A person arrested for a Birmingham municipal matter may appear in the city portal rather than the Jefferson County Sheriff roster.
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Birmingham, AL 35205
City jail telephone
How to use the city-jail path
Search the Birmingham inmate portal
Use the city portal when a recent arrest inside Birmingham does not appear in the county roster.
Confirm the arresting agency
Birmingham Police records are separate from Jefferson County Sheriff reports.
Check Birmingham Municipal Court
The court handles misdemeanor criminal, traffic and ordinance cases within Birmingham’s police jurisdiction.
Check county court if a felony is involved
A felony or related state charge may proceed through District and Circuit Court even when Birmingham Police made the arrest.
City-jail property intake
| Day | Last-name group | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | A–D | 6 p.m.–8 p.m. |
| Tuesday | E–H | 6 p.m.–8 p.m. |
| Wednesday | I–P | 6 p.m.–8 p.m. |
| Thursday | Q–Z | 6 p.m.–8 p.m. |
| Sunday | Female detainees | 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. |
City property restrictions: No mail is accepted during visitation. Shoes cannot be received through U.S. mail, and prescription medication must be handled by the nurse rather than the property room.
What happens from booking to the final case?
Law-enforcement report
The arresting deputy or officer creates the incident, offense or arrest record.
Identity and booking
Jail staff confirm identity, create a subject and booking number, inventory property and enter charges and holds.
Medical and classification review
Both county facilities provide on-site medical services. Health, security and custody factors affect housing.
Bail and pretrial review
A court or magistrate addresses bail and release conditions. Pre-Trial Release evaluates qualifying individuals.
District Court proceedings
State misdemeanor cases and preliminary felony matters generally begin in District Court.
Felony prosecution
Circuit Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over felony prosecutions, subject to limited concurrent plea jurisdiction.
Release or transfer
The person may post bond, qualify for pretrial release, remain on another hold or transfer to another agency.
Final disposition
The court record may show dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, conviction, acquittal, sentence or another disposition.
What to verify before arranging a Jefferson County bond
The Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Release Office operates from both county facilities. It helps release qualifying individuals and assists the public with bonds for people who do not qualify for the programme.
Open the inmate’s complete booking
Write down every charge, booking number, subject number and listed bond.
Review every case separately
One payable bond does not clear another no-bond case, probation matter, municipal warrant or outside hold.
Call the correct Pre-Trial Release office
Use Birmingham at 205-325-5716 or Bessemer at 205-481-8529.
Ask whether the person qualifies for pretrial release
Eligibility depends on legal, risk and court requirements rather than family preference.
Confirm accepted bond arrangements
Ask whether the matter requires cash, property, professional surety or another approved method.
Check for detainers
Ask whether another jurisdiction, probation office, federal agency or court has placed a hold.
Keep proof of payment
Save every receipt, confirmation, charge, case number, date and person receiving the payment.
Wait for physical release confirmation
Bond posting may be followed by court confirmation, hold review, paperwork and property return.
Payment scam warning: Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency or money to an individual who promises immediate release. Verify the payment instruction through the official jail or court number.
How Jefferson County warrants are divided
Birmingham County Warrant Unit
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Bessemer Warrant Unit
1826 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Bessemer, AL 35020
Birmingham Municipal warrants
Municipal Court issues and manages warrants arising from Birmingham city misdemeanor, traffic and ordinance cases.
Warrant types handled by Sheriff Court Services: Felony, misdemeanor, failure-to-appear, probation, parole, alias, involuntary-commitment, juvenile pickup and other court-issued warrants.
An unserved arrest warrant is not a public record. Jefferson County’s Magistrate page states that a person who suspects a warrant exists must appear in person at the Sheriff’s Department. Do not confront or attempt to detain anyone based on unofficial information.
Safe self-check workflow
Search known criminal court cases
Check for failure-to-appear entries
Confirm Birmingham or Bessemer division
Check Birmingham Municipal Court when applicable
Contact a licensed Alabama attorney
Follow the issuing court’s surrender or appearance instructions
How to request a Jefferson County Sheriff incident or arrest report
Sheriff Records Unit
Use for Sheriff-maintained records and request routing.
Sheriff headquarters
2200 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Ask for the exact record
Incident or offense report
The primary report describing the event and initial Sheriff response.
Arrest report or affidavit
The record describing the arrest action or asserted probable cause when maintained and releasable.
Supplemental reports
Later reports created by responding deputies or investigators.
Booking record
A custody document maintained through the Corrections Division rather than the complete incident narrative.
Property record
A record of property collected, stored, released or retained, subject to legal restrictions.
Certified disposition
Request this from the Circuit Clerk rather than the Sheriff.
Information to prepare
Full legal name
Date of birth when known
Incident or arrest date
Exact location
Report, subject or booking number
Arresting deputy or unit when known
Specific documents requested
Electronic or paper delivery preference
Copy-ready Sheriff request
I request the existing public and releasable incident report, arrest report or affidavit, and releasable supplemental reports concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident occurring on or about [date] at [location]. Known identifiers are report number [number], subject number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please identify the cost before copying if the total will exceed $[amount].
Record-holder rule: Request Birmingham Police records from Birmingham Police, Bessemer Police records from Bessemer Police and municipal reports from the municipality whose officer created the report.
Birmingham Police report fees, eligibility and pickup rules
Birmingham Police Records Division
1710 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Published hours
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
No reports sold after 4:30 p.m.
Background checks: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
| Service | Published price | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Incident or offense report | $10 | Most releasable reports are available in five to seven working days. |
| Accident report | $10 | Eligibility is controlled by Alabama accident-report law. |
| Birmingham city background check | $10 | Covers Birmingham city records rather than a statewide history. |
| Archived report | $25 | Includes incident reports before January 2013 or accident reports before January 2015. |
| Fingerprint service | $10 | A separate fingerprint-card charge may also apply. |
Who can collect an incident report?
- The report must generally be collected in person with proper identification.
- The requester must be listed as the reporting person or victim.
- A person listed as the offender cannot obtain the ordinary incident-report copy through this route.
- Juvenile reports have separate parent or guardian documentation rules.
Accepted payment: Birmingham Police lists cash, debit card, money order and company cheque. Personal cheques are not accepted.
City of Birmingham public-record route
A person seeking a City record outside the ordinary Police Records release process must use the City Clerk’s official public-record form.
Requester must certify Alabama residency
Proof of Alabama residency is required
Request must identify a specific existing record
Broad or vague requests may be rejected or delayed
Standard request acknowledgment target is 10 days
Substantive standard response target is 15 business days after acknowledgment
City requests require proof of Alabama residency. The City states that there are no exceptions to the documentation requirement under its current procedure.
Municipal, District or Circuit Court?
| Court | Primary criminal jurisdiction | Typical search clue | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Municipal Court | Birmingham city misdemeanors, traffic cases and municipal-code violations. | Birmingham Police arrest, city citation or municipal warrant. | 205-254-2161 |
| Jefferson County District Court | Most state misdemeanors, traffic cases, felony preliminary hearings and certain felony guilty pleas. | State misdemeanor or felony arrest outside a municipal-court prosecution. | Birmingham 205-325-5309; Bessemer 205-497-8520 |
| Jefferson County Circuit Court | Felony prosecutions and related lesser-included misdemeanors. | Indictment, felony case or transfer from District Court. | Birmingham 205-325-5285; Bessemer 205-497-8510 |
Jefferson County has two state-court divisions. Birmingham-division cases are generally handled at the Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center or Jefferson County Courthouse. Bessemer-division cases are handled through the Bessemer Justice Center.
Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Jefferson County Courthouse
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Clerk main: 205-325-5355
Bessemer Justice Center
1851 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Bessemer, AL 35020
Birmingham Municipal Court
801 17th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham, AL 35203
Municipal Court hours
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Cashier closes at 4:30 p.m.
Arraignments: 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
How to search the Jefferson County criminal court case
The Circuit Clerk is the official record keeper for Jefferson County District and Circuit Courts. Alabama’s Just One Look system provides on-demand access to trial-court records.
Search by case number when available
A case-number search is more accurate than a common-name search.
Choose Jefferson County and the correct division
Confirm whether the case belongs to Birmingham or the Bessemer Cutoff.
When searching by name, confirm identity
Compare the date of birth, charge, filing date and arrest information with the jail booking.
Locate the filed charge
The court complaint or indictment may differ from the initial booking allegation.
Read the Case Action Summary
Review settings, actions, rulings, financial history and case status in chronological order.
Check for transfer to Circuit Court
A felony may begin with District Court proceedings and continue under a Circuit Court case.
Locate the final disposition
Find the dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, verdict, conviction, sentence or other final action.
Order the document when formal proof is required
A case-detail screen may not satisfy employment, licensing, court or immigration requirements.
| Service | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Name search | $9.99 | One case detail; additional case details cost $9.99 each. |
| Case-number search | $9.99 | One selected case detail. |
| Document images | $5 for first 20 pages; $0.50 each additional page | Available filed documents and attachments. |
| District case monitoring | $19.99 | Email notification of future case changes. |
| Circuit case monitoring | $29.99 | Email notification of future case changes. |
A no-match search is still a paid search. Verify the spelling, county division and case number before purchasing access.
What common Alabama criminal case terms mean
| Term | Practical meaning | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | The case has not reached a final resolution. | Check the latest action and next setting. |
| Preliminary hearing | District Court considers whether a felony matter should proceed. | Look for dismissal, waiver or action sending the case forward. |
| Indicted | A grand jury returned a formal felony charge. | Find the Circuit Court case and exact count. |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecution announced that it would not continue the charge at that time. | Check which count and defendant the entry covers. |
| Dismissed | The court dismissed the case or charge. | Determine whether every count was dismissed. |
| Guilty plea | The defendant entered a plea accepted by the court. | Review the final offense, sentence and conditions. |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted of the resolved charge. | Check whether another count remained. |
| Closed | The file is no longer shown as active. | Closed alone does not explain the disposition. |
Jefferson County court-copy and record-search charges
| Service | Published fee | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Copies, 1–20 pages | $5 | Basic copies from an existing court file. |
| Additional pages | $0.50 per page | Files longer than 20 pages. |
| Certification | $5 | Official proof for employment, licensing or another court. |
| Exemplification | $15 | Only when the receiving institution specifically requests it. |
| Computerised record search | $10 | Clerk-assisted search of electronic records. |
| Paper record search | $20 | Older or non-electronic records. |
| Archived or microfilmed search | $25 | Archived records requiring manual retrieval. |
Provide the full legal name
Provide the case number when known
State Birmingham or Bessemer division
Identify the exact document
State whether certification is needed
Confirm the total before payment
Verify the current county-jail vendor before sending anything
Do not use an address copied from an unofficial jail directory. Jefferson County’s official county and Sheriff pages do not currently publish a complete personal-mail, commissary-deposit or telephone-provider instruction set for the Birmingham and Bessemer county jails.
Providers and off-site scanning addresses can change. Use the inmate’s current housing facility and subject number, then confirm the current procedure with the facility before mailing funds, letters, books or legal material.
| Task | Birmingham | Bessemer | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal mail | 205-325-5670 | 205-481-4160 | Current address, required identifier, photo limits and prohibited enclosures. |
| Legal mail | 205-325-5772 | 205-481-8502 | Privileged-mail address, attorney identification and delivery procedure. |
| Commissary deposit | 205-325-5670 | 205-481-4160 | Approved vendor, facility code, deposit limit, fee and refund rule. |
| Telephone account | 205-325-5670 | 205-481-4160 | Current provider, call rate, funding options and blocked-number support. |
| Books or publications | 205-325-5772 | 205-481-8502 | Publisher-direct rule, softcover requirement and quantity limits. |
Prepare before calling
Full inmate name as shown in the search
Subject number
Booking number
Current Birmingham or Bessemer facility
Exact service needed
Pen and paper for vendor, address and confirmation details
Save every transaction record: Keep the inmate identifiers, vendor name, payment amount, fee, confirmation number, date and support telephone number.
Medical, legal and educational services in county custody
On-site medical services
Both Jefferson County jail facilities provide on-site medical services.
Law library
The Sheriff identifies law-library access at the Birmingham facility.
Adult education
Adult educational services are available at the Birmingham facility.
Pre-Trial Release
Both facilities have a Pre-Trial Release office for qualifying defendants and public bond assistance.
Mental-health crisis support
The Sheriff’s Mental Health Crisis Unit can be reached at 205-325-8757 for appropriate law-enforcement routing.
Victim assistance
Sheriff victim services can assist after an arrest and direct victims to the correct District Attorney division.
Urgent health concern: The inmate should notify detention staff immediately. A family member may call the facility, but medical privacy laws can limit the information released.
Jefferson County crime-victim contacts after an arrest
Sheriff Crime Victims Officer
Use for case-status routing and the Victim’s Rights Invocation Form.
Birmingham Division District Attorney
Use after an arrest for Birmingham-division prosecution and court-process assistance.
Bessemer Division District Attorney
Use for cases filed in the Bessemer Cutoff division.
Immediate danger: Call 911. The Sheriff lists 205-325-1450 as the local non-emergency line for Jefferson County jurisdiction.
How to obtain and correct an Alabama criminal-history record
A Jefferson County booking search or Birmingham city background check is not a complete statewide record. ALEA’s Criminal Records Identification Unit maintains fingerprint-supported Alabama criminal-history information.
Personal review fee
$25.
Additional copy
$5 each.
Payment
Money order or cashier’s cheque.
ALEA contact
Required application materials
Completed ALEA CHRI application
Applicant signature with two witnesses or notarisation
Copy of current photo identification
Classifiable fingerprints taken by an authorised agency
$25 money order or cashier’s cheque
Any required supporting disposition documents
Mail application
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Walk-in delivery
301 S. Ripley Street
Adams Avenue side
Montgomery, AL 36104
Adams Avenue side
Montgomery, AL 36104
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central
Correct the record at its source
| Error | Office | Useful proof |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong county booking identity | Jefferson County Corrections | Photo ID, subject number and booking record. |
| Incorrect Sheriff report information | Sheriff Records Unit | Report number and official documents showing the error. |
| Incorrect Birmingham Police record | Birmingham Police Records Division | Case number and supporting official records. |
| Incorrect court action or disposition | Jefferson County Circuit Clerk | Case number and signed court order. |
| Incorrect Alabama CHRI | ALEA Criminal Records Identification Unit | Fingerprints, certified disposition and challenge documentation. |
Jefferson County expungement requirements and costs
Eligibility is case-specific. Certain arrests, dismissed cases, programme completions and qualifying convictions may be eligible. Violent offenses, sex offenses, crimes of moral turpitude and major traffic convictions generally do not qualify under the Clerk’s summary.
Review the current CR-65 petition
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts publishes the statewide Petition for Expungement of Records.
Obtain the certified arrest or disposition record
Request a certified arrest record, disposition or case-action summary from the agency or court.
Obtain a certified ALEA criminal history
The Jefferson County Clerk requires the individual’s certified criminal record.
Complete the sworn statement
State that the statutory requirements are satisfied and disclose previous expungement applications.
File in Circuit Court
The petition is filed through the Circuit Clerk with the required records and identifying information.
Pay the administrative fee
Jefferson County currently lists a $500 administrative fee unless the court approves a substantial-hardship affidavit.
Account for additional costs
The $500 administrative fee does not include court costs, docket fees or legal representation.
Preserve the signed order
Keep certified copies and confirm that the court, arresting agency, jail and ALEA process the order.
Jefferson County expungement clinic: The Sheriff hosts a clinic that may provide information and reduce filing expense in qualifying situations. The Clerk directs users to Deborah Davis at 205-325-4826.
One offense per petition: The current CR-65 form states that only one offense may be included in each petition and that multi-count cases require multiple petitions.
Jefferson County arrest, jail and court contacts
| Office | Contact | Best reason to call |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham County Jail | 205-325-5670 | Current custody, facility information, mail, visits and inmate-service verification. |
| Bessemer County Jail | 205-481-4160 | Bessemer custody, facility information, mail and visits. |
| Birmingham Pre-Trial Release | 205-325-5716 | Pretrial eligibility and bond assistance. |
| Bessemer Pre-Trial Release | 205-481-8529 | Bessemer pretrial and bond questions. |
| Sheriff Records Unit | 205-325-5900 | Sheriff incident, arrest and public-record routing. |
| Birmingham Police Records |
205-254-6308 BPDReports@birminghamal.gov |
Birmingham Police incident reports and city background checks. |
| Birmingham Municipal Court |
205-254-2161 BMCCustomerService@birminghamal.gov |
Birmingham city misdemeanors, traffic cases and municipal warrants. |
| Jefferson County Circuit Clerk | 205-325-5355 | District and Circuit Court records, copies and expungement filing. |
| Birmingham District Court | 205-325-5309 | Birmingham-division misdemeanor, traffic and preliminary felony matters. |
| Birmingham Circuit Criminal | 205-325-5285 | Birmingham-division felony court information. |
| Bessemer District Court | 205-497-8520 | Bessemer-division misdemeanor and preliminary felony matters. |
| Bessemer Circuit Court | 205-497-8510 | Bessemer-division felony court information. |
Maps
Jefferson County Jail – Birmingham
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer
1822 Second Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020
Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Bessemer Justice Center
1851 Second Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020
Confirm the destination before travelling. The county jail, Criminal Justice Center, County Courthouse, Birmingham Municipal Court and Bessemer Justice Center are separate locations.
Information brought into this guide
The article incorporates the operational details from Jefferson County, the Sheriff, the City of Birmingham, Alabama’s Unified Judicial System and ALEA. The links below are retained primarily for live searches, official forms, document purchases and current-status verification.
Live actions
Primary facts reviewed
- Jefferson County jail addresses, telephone numbers and published visit schedules.
- Sheriff visitation rules, Corrections Division services and pretrial contacts.
- Birmingham City Jail, Police Records and Municipal Court instructions.
- District and Circuit Court jurisdiction, court-search pricing and Clerk copy charges.
- ALEA criminal-history review and Jefferson County expungement requirements.
Last official-source review: July 27, 2026. Custody, bond, court settings, providers, visitation and fees may change. Confirm the live status with the responsible office before taking action.
Jefferson County arrest-record questions answered
How do I search the Jefferson County Alabama jail roster?
Use the Sheriff Inmate Inquiry. Search by name, subject number, booking number, booking-date range, custody status or Birmingham/Bessemer housing facility.
Can I search past Jefferson County bookings?
Yes. Remove the In Custody restriction and use the name, booking number or booking-date filters. Confirm that the selected booking matches the correct arrest date.
Why is a Birmingham arrest not in the county roster?
The person may be in Birmingham City Jail, still completing booking, released, transferred or listed under another spelling. Search the separate city portal and call the relevant facility.
Where do I request a Jefferson County Sheriff report?
Call the Sheriff Records Unit at 205-325-5900. Prepare the report number, full name, date of birth, incident date, location and exact record requested.
How much is a Birmingham Police incident report?
The current published charge is $10. Most releasable reports are available within five to seven working days and must generally be collected by an authorised person with identification.
Which court has the final result of a felony?
Jefferson County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over felony prosecutions. A felony may first have District Court proceedings before continuing in Circuit Court.
How much is an online Alabama court-record search?
Just One Look currently charges $9.99 for a name or case-number search. Document images cost $5 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 per additional page.
What should I bring to a jail visit?
Bring a valid state ID or driver licence. Leave phones, electronic devices, purses, packages, food and drinks outside. Call first because the online schedules currently conflict.
How much is an ALEA criminal-history review?
The personal review costs $25, with additional copies at $5 each. Fingerprints, photo identification and the completed application are required.
How much does a Jefferson County expungement cost?
The Clerk currently lists a $500 administrative fee or an approved substantial-hardship affidavit. Court costs, docket fees and legal representation are separate.