Houston County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Houston County in 2026
HoustonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records in Houston County, Alabama. Members of the public seeking criminal history data may find records pertaining to arrests, court case filings, dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and incarceration status. The information available through public channels may include, but is not limited to, the following record categories:
- Arrest and booking records
- Circuit and district court case filings
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail roster and inmate status information
- Active and historical warrant records
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and parole status (where publicly accessible)
Records may be accessed through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals. The following five methods detail how members of the public may obtain criminal records through authorized channels.
1. County Court Records
The Houston County Circuit Court, part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Alabama, maintains criminal case files for felony and serious misdemeanor matters. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Houston County Circuit Court Clerk
462 N. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677-4700
Houston County – Twentieth Circuit Court of Alabama
Public access terminals are available within the clerk's office for on-site case searches. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Houston County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail roster information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records, and requestors should contact the office in advance to confirm current fee schedules and required documentation.
Houston County Sheriff's Office
411 N. Foster Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677-4888
Houston County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains a statewide online case search portal that allows members of the public to search circuit and district court records by party name, case number, or filing date. Users may navigate to the case search function, select Houston County as the jurisdiction, and enter the subject's full legal name or known case number. The portal reflects case status, charges, and dispositions for matters filed in the court system, though records for sealed or expunged cases will not appear.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) serves as the state's criminal history repository. Formal background check requests, including those requiring fingerprint submission, are processed through ALEA. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of request. Certified criminal history records are available for employment, licensing, and personal review purposes.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
301 S. Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 517-2220
ALEA Criminal History Unit
5. Written and Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Houston County Circuit Court Clerk or the Houston County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Written requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, public agencies are required to respond to records requests within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Houston County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Houston County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Alabama law, a criminal record may encompass arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and post-conviction supervision status such as probation or parole.
Several distinctions govern the nature and accessibility of criminal records:
- 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 offenses classified as Class A, B, or C felonies under Alabama law and carry more severe penalties. Misdemeanor records involve Class A, B, or C misdemeanors and violations.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are subject to confidentiality protections under Alabama Code § 12-15-133 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice involvement regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Houston County include the Houston County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Houston County Circuit and District Courts (case files and dispositions), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments within the county. Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through the criminal justice process, from initial booking through final disposition and any subsequent appeals.
The Houston County – Twentieth Circuit Court of Alabama serves as the primary repository for court-based criminal records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Houston County
Criminal records in Houston County are subject to public disclosure under Alabama's Open Records Law. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, "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." This provision extends to court records, arrest logs, and conviction records maintained by county agencies.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public. However, certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed pursuant to § 12-15-133
- Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain sensitive cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Alabama's open records provisions. The Alabama Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the state's open records law to specific record categories and agency obligations.
How To Find Criminal Records in Houston County Online
Official County Resources
The Houston County – Twentieth Circuit Court of Alabama provides online access to court case information through the clerk's website. Members of the public may search for case filings, charges, and dispositions using the party name or case number search functions. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts portal supplements county-level searches with statewide case data across circuit and district courts.
The Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search allows members of the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities. Searches may be conducted using first name, last name, or both fields in conjunction.
State-Level Resources
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains a statewide case search system accessible through its official portal. ALEA's criminal history unit processes formal background check requests for certified criminal history records.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations
- Case number searches yield the most precise results and eliminate false matches
- Cross-reference results across multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing online databases
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official certified background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Houston County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Alabama law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, inspection of public writings is a right of every citizen. Copying fees may apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. In-person inspection is available at the Houston County Circuit Court Clerk's office and the Houston County Sheriff's Office.
2. Free Online Databases: The following portals provide free public access to criminal record information:
| Resource | Access | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Courts Case Search | Free | alacourt.gov |
| Houston County Circuit Court | Free | houston.alacourt.gov |
| ADOC Inmate Search | Free | doc.alabama.gov |
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Houston County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records. Members of the public may request access to daily arrest logs, subject to applicable public records provisions.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records (fees set by the Alabama Supreme Court)
- Official state criminal history background checks processed through ALEA
- Staff-assisted record searches requiring significant employee time
- Expedited processing requests
State Fee Law
Alabama law permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of producing copies of public records. Fee waivers or reductions may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Houston County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Houston County criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, mugshot photograph, last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records maintained by the Houston County Circuit Court include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of supervision, any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI and DWI adjudications
- Pending charges awaiting disposition
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under § 12-15-133)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Houston County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Alabama's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. State law mandates minimum retention periods, and agencies may retain records beyond those minimums at their discretion.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; state repository retention follows ALEA guidelines
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement eligibility under Alabama law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records to reflect the full disposition, including the dismissal or acquittal
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-15-133; destruction timelines are governed by court order and applicable retention schedules
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter
Agency Differences
County courts retain case records permanently under Alabama court records retention rules. The Houston County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records in accordance with state-mandated schedules. The Alabama Department of Corrections retains inmate records permanently for convicted individuals, accessible through the ADOC inmate search portal. ALEA retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed following scanning and digital conversion, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with retention schedules.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the permanent elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Alabama law for certain qualifying offenses and circumstances, results in the removal of the record from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the charge originated. Even where a county destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to court order.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and separate retention rules, independent of Alabama state or Houston County retention schedules.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that remain in the public record will appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, and professional licensing purposes. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven to ten years depending on the position sought. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.