Houston County Public Records / Houston County Arrest Records

Houston County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Houston County in 2026

HoustonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Houston County, Alabama. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, mugshots, and related court case data through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party channels include arrest logs, jail rosters, criminal court filings, bond information, and disposition records. Access and completeness of records vary by source and the nature of the underlying case.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Houston County Sheriff's Office, the Circuit Clerk of Court, the Alabama Department of Corrections, and online public access tools. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Houston County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster that members of the public may access online. The inmate listing displays individuals currently held at the Houston County Jail and includes the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and custody status. The roster is updated on a regular basis and reflects current detainees rather than a comprehensive historical archive. Members of the public seeking records of individuals no longer in custody must submit a formal records request.

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Dothan Police Department, which serves the county seat of Houston County, maintains arrest logs and may publish press releases containing arrest information. Requests for Dothan Police Department arrest records may be submitted through the department's records division.

Dothan Police Department
210 N. Saint Andrews Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 615-3000
City of Dothan

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Houston County Circuit Clerk maintains criminal court case records linked to arrests processed through the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Members of the public may search case records by defendant name to locate court filings associated with a specific arrest. Case records include charge information, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing data where applicable.

Houston County Circuit Clerk
P.O. Box 6406
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4800
Houston County – Twentieth Circuit Court of Alabama

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Alabama Department of Corrections operates a statewide inmate search tool that allows members of the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities. The search may be conducted using first name, last name, or both fields in combination. This resource reflects individuals serving sentences in state custody and does not include individuals held at the county jail level. No fee is assessed for use of the online search tool.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Houston County Sheriff's Office
114 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677-4882
Houston County Jail: (334) 712-0762
Houston County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting the Sheriff's Office records division in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, specific information about the arrest including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and booking number. Fees for copies of records are assessed per page in accordance with the county's open records policy.

Clerk of Court:

Houston County Circuit Clerk
P.O. Box 6406
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4800
Houston County – Twentieth Circuit Court of Alabama

Criminal case files are available for inspection during regular business hours. Copy fees apply per page for reproductions of case documents.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be directed to the Houston County Sheriff's Office at 114 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303. A written request should include the full legal name of the subject, date of arrest if known, booking number if available, and the requestor's full name and return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the request. Processing time varies based on the volume of pending requests.

By Phone:

The Sheriff's Office may be reached at (334) 677-4882 for general inquiries. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Detailed record information is not released by telephone and callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest and booking records through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas directed to the custodian of records compel production of documents in legal proceedings. Detailed investigative materials not available through routine public records requests may be obtainable through court-ordered discovery.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number, if known
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Dothan Police, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Houston County

Arrest records in Houston County are public records subject to disclosure under Alabama law. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, every citizen of Alabama has a right to inspect and copy public writings maintained by state and county agencies. The Houston County open records policy, effective October 15, 2024, implements this framework and governs how members of the public may submit requests to inspect and copy records within the custody and control of Houston County. The Policy for Open Records Request to Houston County, Alabama sets forth the procedures, timelines, and fee structures applicable to such requests.

Arrest records are treated as public in recognition of several foundational principles:

Government transparency and accountability
Public safety and community awareness
Support for journalism and academic research
Facilitation of background screening processes
Use in civil and criminal legal proceedings

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Alabama law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
Identities of undercover officers and confidential informants are exempt
Victim identifying information is restricted in certain case types
Participants in witness protection programs are not identified in public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Alabama's public records framework reflects a balance between the constitutional right of public access and individual privacy interests. The First Amendment supports press access to government records, and due process principles inform the procedures governing record requests and denials. Members of the public whose requests are denied may seek review through appropriate legal channels.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing and regulatory agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance obligations
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681) governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions when records are obtained through consumer reporting agencies. Employers and landlords using arrest records for adverse decisions must comply with FCRA notice and dispute procedures. An arrest that did not result in conviction carries a legal presumption of innocence and must be distinguished from a conviction record in any screening context.

What's in Houston County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" designations
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest, which may be partially redacted

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Dothan Police Department, or other jurisdiction)
Arresting officer name and badge number, where included
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed
Alabama statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Name and location of booking facility
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in public record releases
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Bail bondsman information, if applicable
Release date and time, if the individual has been released
Conditions of release, where made public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment, where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest as contained in the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during investigation
Investigative techniques and methods
Medical or mental health information
Substance abuse information
Social Security number (redacted in all public releases)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports contain detailed incident narratives and investigative information not included in booking records
Court records document legal proceedings initiated after arrest, including hearings, motions, and dispositions
Criminal records reflect convictions and sentences rather than arrests alone
Background checks compile information from multiple sources including court records, state repositories, and federal databases

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Houston County?

The Houston County open records policy governs the fees applicable to public records requests submitted to county agencies. Under current policy, fees are assessed for the reproduction of records and, in certain circumstances, for the staff time required to locate and compile responsive documents.

Fee Type	Amount
Standard copy fee (black and white)	$0.25 per page (standard rate under Alabama law)
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic format	May be provided at no additional charge depending on format
Search/retrieval fee	May apply for extensive requests requiring significant staff time

Members of the public may inspect public records without charge; fees apply only to reproductions. Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court include cash and money order; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting a request. Alabama Code § 36-12-41 authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Fee waiver provisions may apply for indigent requestors or members of the media in certain circumstances, subject to agency discretion. Court records obtained through the Alacourt system may be subject to separate fee schedules established by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Houston County

Alabama law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the destruction or sealing of the record, and sealing, which restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes. Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq., individuals who meet eligibility criteria may petition the circuit court for expungement of qualifying arrest records.

Eligibility for Expungement in Alabama:

Charges that were dismissed with prejudice
Charges for which the individual was acquitted at trial
Charges that were no-billed by a grand jury
Cases in which the prosecutor declined to file charges
Certain non-violent misdemeanor and felony convictions after completion of sentence and a waiting period, subject to statutory criteria

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a certified copy of the disposition from the Houston County Circuit Clerk confirming the basis for expungement eligibility.
Complete the petition for expungement form available through the Alabama court system.
File the petition in the Houston County Circuit Court, Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
Pay the applicable filing fee, which is currently set at $300.00 for most expungement petitions under Alabama law, unless a fee waiver is granted.
Serve the petition on the arresting agency and the district attorney's office as required by statute.
Attend any scheduled hearing; the court will grant or deny the petition based on statutory criteria.
Upon entry of the expungement order, the court directs all relevant agencies to destroy or seal the record.

Houston County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 6406
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4800
Houston County – Twentieth Circuit Court of Alabama

Houston County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 1268
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4840

Members of the public seeking expungement are advised to consult with a licensed Alabama attorney to assess eligibility and navigate the petition process. Following entry of an expungement order, third-party commercial databases may not update immediately, and individuals may need to contact those services separately to request removal.

What Happens After Arrest in Houston County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Houston County, the arrested individual is transported to the Houston County Jail for booking. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and the availability of transport personnel.

Houston County Jail
114 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 712-0762
Houston County Sheriff's Office

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Houston County Jail, the arrested individual undergoes the booking process, which includes recording of personal information, photographing (mugshot), fingerprinting, criminal history and outstanding warrant checks, personal property inventory, issuance of jail clothing, and medical and mental health screening. The booking process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Alabama law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge or magistrate for an initial appearance within 72 hours of arrest. At the initial appearance, the court formally advises the individual of the charges, determines bond or bail, and, if the individual is indigent, initiates the process for appointment of a public defender. Initial appearances may be conducted via video conference.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash to the jail or court. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all required court dates.

Surety Bond: The defendant or a family member engages a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set at 10% of the bond amount under Alabama law.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The court releases the defendant on a written promise to appear, without requiring payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The court may order the defendant held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or active out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release:

Regular check-in with pretrial supervision
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring
Compliance with pretrial services requirements

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the defendant is processed for release, which takes approximately one to eight hours. The defendant receives a written notice of court dates and conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant. If bond is not posted, the defendant remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to jail procedures including commissary, telephone, and visitation.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Indigent defendants are entitled to appointed counsel under the Sixth Amendment. Eligibility is determined based on income at the initial appearance.

Houston County Public Defender's Office
P.O. Box 6406
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4800

Private Attorney:

Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The Alabama State Bar provides attorney referral services for members of the public seeking representation.

Charging Decision:

Prosecutor's Review:

The Houston County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest depending on case complexity.

Grand Jury (Felonies):

Felony charges in Alabama may be presented to a grand jury, which determines whether probable cause exists to proceed. A grand jury indictment is required for certain serious felony offenses.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are scheduled.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or mental health court, a negotiated plea agreement, or trial. If the defendant is convicted at trial or by plea, a sentencing hearing is scheduled at which the court imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or a combination thereof.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: within 72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: days to several weeks
Arraignment to resolution: months, varying widely by case complexity
Misdemeanor cases: resolved within weeks to several months
Felony cases: resolved within several months to over one year
Alabama's constitutional speedy trial guarantee applies throughout

Rights Throughout Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Politely invoke the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not answer questions without counsel present
Do not discuss the case with other inmates, family, or friends
Contact family or a bail bondsman for assistance with bond
Appear at all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Houston County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Houston County is governed by Alabama law and applicable local records management policies. The Alabama Department of Archives and History establishes records retention schedules for county agencies, and law enforcement agencies are required to maintain records in accordance with those schedules.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) state repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Accessible on background checks indefinitely

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the court
Reported on background checks subject to FCRA limitations

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains booking records for a period determined by the applicable retention schedule
Court records may be retained permanently unless expunged
Records remain accessible unless the subject obtains an expungement order

Acquittals:

Court records are often retained permanently
Local law enforcement retains booking records per retention schedule
Subject may petition for expungement under Alabama Code § 15-27-1

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a shorter period
Subject may be eligible for expungement upon demonstration that no charges were filed

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained per the applicable retention schedule
Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense classification

Digital Records:

Records management system entries are often retained permanently
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained for a shorter period
Electronic court records are generally retained permanently

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain arrest records indefinitely
These databases are not controlled by law enforcement and may not reflect expungements
The FCRA requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain accurate and current records

Retention by Agency:

Houston County Sheriff's Office:

Booking records and arrest reports are retained per the Alabama records retention schedule
Investigative files are retained based on offense classification and case outcome

Houston County Circuit Clerk:

Felony case files are retained permanently
Misdemeanor case files are retained for a period established by the retention schedule
Electronic records are generally retained permanently

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Repository:

Maintains criminal history records for all arrests reported by Alabama jurisdictions
Retention policy follows state law and includes arrests from all jurisdictions statewide

FBI Database:

NCIC and the Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level, typically permanently
Accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide for background checks related to employment, firearms, and other purposes

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in all major databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; local retention varies
Expungement: Physical destruction or sealing of local records; state repository updates records; FBI database may retain with a notation; removal from third-party databases is not guaranteed and may require separate action
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after the applicable retention period expires

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Some states impose more restrictive reporting limitations, though Alabama does not currently impose a blanket prohibition on reporting non-conviction arrest records. Employers and landlords are subject to FCRA accuracy and adverse action requirements when using consumer reports containing arrest information.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about the retention status of a specific arrest record may contact the Houston County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (334) 677-4882 or submit a written public records request to the Sheriff's Office at 114 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.