Dallas County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Dallas County in 2026
DallasCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records in Dallas County, Alabama. Members of the public seeking criminal record data may find information pertaining to arrests, court case filings, dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and related judicial proceedings. The records accessible through official channels and aggregator platforms may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Arrest and booking records
- Circuit and district court case filings
- Felony and misdemeanor charge records
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Warrant information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Probation and parole records
Records may be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public at present.
1. County Court Records: The Dallas County Circuit Court, administered through the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Alabama, maintains criminal case files for felony and misdemeanor matters heard at the county level. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for certain requests. Public access terminals are available within the clerk's office for case lookups.
Dallas County Circuit Clerk's Office
105 Lauderdale Street
Selma, AL 36701
Phone: (334) 874-2530
Dallas County – Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama
2. Sheriff's Office: The Dallas County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records. Booking reports and jail rosters are at present among the most frequently requested record types from this agency.
Dallas County Sheriff's Office
105 Lauderdale Street
Selma, AL 36701
Phone: (334) 874-2530
3. Online Court Search: The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides an online case search portal through which members of the public may search Dallas County criminal case records by name, case number, or filing date. Search results reflect case status, charges, and dispositions as entered into the statewide court management system. The portal does not include sealed or expunged records.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history record information. Formal background check requests require submission of fingerprints and a completed request form. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of request. The Dallas County ALEA Driver License Office provides in-person services for certain identity and record-related transactions.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
301 South Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 517-2220
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
5. Written/Mail Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Dallas County Circuit Clerk's Office or the Dallas County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Alabama Code § 41-13-1, public records are subject to inspection upon reasonable request, and agencies are required to respond within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Dallas County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Dallas County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system within the jurisdiction of Dallas County, Alabama. Under Alabama law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, beginning at the point of arrest and continuing through prosecution, adjudication, and post-conviction supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant for members of the public seeking accurate information:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt following a plea or trial.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses with shorter potential sentences.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Alabama law. Juvenile records are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Dallas County include the Dallas County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Dallas County Circuit and District Courts (case files, dispositions, and sentencing records), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (statewide criminal history repository), and the Selma Police Department (local arrest records). Records are created at each stage of the criminal justice process—from initial booking through arraignment, plea proceedings, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. The Dallas County Circuit Court serves as the primary custodian of felony and serious misdemeanor case records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Dallas County
Criminal records in Dallas County are public records under Alabama law. The Alabama Open Records Act, codified at Alabama Code § 36-12-40, establishes that all public records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Alabama. The statute provides that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, case filings, and sentencing information are among the categories of records that are publicly accessible. However, certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records (sealed by statute under Alabama Code § 12-15-133)
- Expunged records (removed from public access pursuant to a court order)
- Records subject to active investigative privilege
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Alabama's open records law. The Alabama Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access obligations applicable to state and county agencies.
How To Find Criminal Records in Dallas County Online?
Official County Resources: The primary online resource for Dallas County criminal court records is the Alabama Alacourt system, accessible through the Dallas County – Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama website. This portal allows members of the public to search case records by party name or case number. The Selma Municipal Court handles municipal ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor matters within the City of Selma; case information for municipal matters may be obtained through that office directly. The City of Selma City Clerk also maintains a Public Records Portal through which certain official records may be requested.
State-Level Resources: The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains a statewide case search system. ALEA's criminal history background check system provides official state-level criminal history reports upon formal request with fingerprint submission.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems
- Be aware that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing search results
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court proceeding. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic case management systems may not be fully digitized. Online searches do not substitute for official certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or other formal purposes.
Can You Search Dallas County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: Alabama Code § 36-12-40 mandates that public records be available for personal inspection at no charge. Members of the public may inspect criminal case records at the Dallas County Circuit Clerk's Office and the Selma Municipal Court without payment. Copying fees apply to reproductions of records.
2. Free Online Databases: The Alacourt public portal provides free name-based case searches for Dallas County criminal records. The Selma Municipal Court and City Clerk's Public Records Portal provide access to certain municipal records at no cost.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office may be available for public inspection at no charge during regular business hours.
What Costs Money:
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$5.00 per page (varies) |
| Official ALEA background check | $25.00 (name-based); $35.00 (fingerprint) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Certified disposition documents | Per-page fee applies |
State Fee Law: Alabama Code § 36-12-41 governs the fees agencies may charge for copies of public records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Dallas County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information: Full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Date and time of arrest, arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information: Case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record. The Dallas County Circuit Court maintains these records for felony and serious misdemeanor matters.
Disposition: Verdict or finding, conviction date, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), appellate history, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements: Outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/DWI adjudications, traffic-related criminal violations, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records:
- Juvenile records (confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs
- Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI
Accuracy Note: Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may submit a formal challenge to the custodial agency. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency provides a process for disputing inaccurate criminal history information held in the state repository.
How Long Does Dallas County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements: Alabama record retention schedules, established under the authority of the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Local Government Records Commission, govern the minimum retention periods for criminal justice records maintained by county agencies.
Retention by Record Type:
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; permanent in court system |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; subject to destruction per Alabama Code § 12-15-133 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences: Dallas County Circuit Court records are retained permanently in accordance with state court records retention rules. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for periods established under local retention schedules. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital conversion, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with applicable retention schedules.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access to a record without eliminating it from law enforcement databases. Expungement, available under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq., results in the removal of eligible records from public access and certain background check systems. Eligibility for expungement is limited to specific offense categories and procedural outcomes, including charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in acquittal, as well as certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions following completion of sentence.
Old Records Access: Records predating electronic case management systems may require special requests to the Circuit Clerk's Office or the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Some historical records are maintained in physical form only.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are subject to separate retention and access rules independent of Alabama state law.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain in the state criminal history repository permanently and will appear on official background checks unless expunged. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain employment purposes, though no such limitation applies to positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Alabama may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. Even if a county agency destroys physical records at the end of a retention period, electronic copies may continue to exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1.