Limestone County Public Records /Limestone County Criminal Records

Limestone County Criminal Records

What Is Limestone County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Limestone County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-13-1, which establishes requirements for the creation and maintenance of public records.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Limestone County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, establishing that an individual has been found legally responsible for a criminal offense.
Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year in state prison.
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: While adult criminal records are generally public, juvenile records in Limestone County are typically sealed under Alabama Code § 12-15-133 to protect minors.
Warrant Information: Documentation of active warrants for arrest as well as historical warrant information.

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Limestone County:

Limestone County Sheriff's Office
101 South Jefferson Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 232-0111
Limestone County Sheriff's Office

Limestone County Circuit Clerk
200 West Washington Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6406
Thirty-Ninth Circuit Court of Alabama - Limestone County

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
301 South Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 517-2800
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in Limestone County.

Are Criminal Records Public In Limestone County

Criminal records in Limestone County are generally considered public information under Alabama's Open Records Law, codified in Alabama Code § 36-12-40. This statute establishes 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."

The Alabama Open Records Law states:

"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. Provided however, registration and circulation records and information concerning the use of the public, public school, and college and university libraries of this state shall be exempted from this section."

While the presumption favors public access, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted:

Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are typically exempt from disclosure until the investigation concludes.
Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile Records: Records involving minors under 18 are generally confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133, with limited exceptions.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access.
Grand Jury Proceedings: Information presented to a grand jury remains confidential.

Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are typically available for public inspection through the Limestone County Circuit Clerk's office or through Alabama's online court records system. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains the statewide electronic system for accessing these records.

Law enforcement agencies in Limestone County, including the Sheriff's Office, maintain arrest records that are generally considered public information once an arrest has been made, though policies regarding the release of mugshots and other identifying information may vary.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Limestone County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Limestone County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:

In-Person Requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office:

Visit the Limestone County Circuit Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $1.00 per page for standard copies).
For certified copies, additional fees apply ($5.00 per document).

Limestone County Circuit Clerk
200 West Washington Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6406
Limestone County Circuit Clerk

Online Access Through Alacourt:

Navigate to the Alabama Judicial System's Alacourt.gov website.
Register for an account if you don't already have one.
Select "Limestone County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu.
Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.).
Pay applicable online access fees.
View and print available records.

Mail Requests:

Send a written request to the Limestone County Circuit Clerk.
Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if known).
Specify the records being requested.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Enclose a money order for applicable fees.
Allow 7-10 business days for processing.

Criminal Background Checks Through Law Enforcement:

For official criminal background checks, individuals may:

Visit the Limestone County Sheriff's Office.
Complete a background check request form.
Provide fingerprints (required for comprehensive checks).
Pay the required fee (currently $25 for a standard check).
Allow processing time as indicated by the agency.

Limestone County Sheriff's Office
101 South Jefferson Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 232-0111
Limestone County Sheriff's Office

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-9-638, individuals may also request their own criminal history information from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for review and possible challenge of inaccuracies.

How To Find Criminal Records in Limestone County Online?

Limestone County offers several digital platforms for accessing criminal records online. These resources provide varying levels of information and may require registration or payment of fees.

Alacourt - Alabama's Unified Judicial System:

The primary online resource for court records in Limestone County is the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts website, which provides access to the state's unified judicial system database. Users may:

Create an account and purchase a subscription.
Search by name, case number, or filing date.
Access case summaries, charges, dispositions, and scheduled hearings.
View document images for certain case types (subscription required).
Monitor case status and upcoming court dates.

This system contains records from both Circuit and District Courts in Limestone County, including criminal, civil, domestic relations, and traffic cases.

Limestone County Sheriff's Inmate Roster:

The Limestone County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that is updated regularly. This resource:

Lists current inmates in the Limestone County Detention Center.
Provides booking information, charges, and bond amounts.
Shows mugshots of currently incarcerated individuals.
Includes arrest date and scheduled release date when available.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Criminal Records:

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency provides a statewide criminal history information system. Through this portal:

Authorized users can request criminal background checks.
Employers can conduct pre-employment screening (with proper authorization).
Individuals can request their own criminal history records.
Results include arrests, charges, and dispositions reported by law enforcement agencies statewide.

Limestone County Circuit Clerk Records:

The Limestone County Circuit Clerk's office maintains court records for the county. While not all records are available online, the website provides:

Information about accessing court records.
Forms for requesting records.
Contact information for specific departments.
Links to the statewide court system.

Registration and Access Requirements:

Alacourt requires registration and subscription fees for full access.
The inmate roster is publicly accessible without registration.
ALEA background checks require proper authorization and fees.
Some sensitive records may only be available through in-person requests.

Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive, and certain documents may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate county office.

Can You Search Limestone County Criminal Records for Free?

Limestone County provides several options for accessing criminal records without charge, though free access is typically limited in scope compared to paid services. Alabama law, specifically Alabama Code § 36-12-40, establishes the public's right to inspect public records, though it does not mandate that all access must be provided free of charge.

Free In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost by visiting:

Limestone County Circuit Clerk's Office
200 West Washington Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6406
Limestone County Circuit Clerk

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($1.00 per page for standard copies, $5.00 per document for certified copies).

Free Online Resources:

Several online resources provide limited criminal records information at no cost:

Limestone County Sheriff's Inmate Roster: Provides current inmate information, including charges and booking dates, at no cost.
Limestone County Court Docket: Basic case information, including upcoming court dates, is viewable without charge through the Limestone County Judicial Circuit website.
Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search: Offers free access to information about individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities, including those convicted in Limestone County.

Public Access Computers:

The Limestone County Circuit Clerk's office and the Athens-Limestone Public Library provide public access computers where visitors may access the basic Alacourt public interface at no charge. These terminals offer:

Case search capabilities
Basic case information
Court calendars
Limited document viewing

Athens-Limestone Public Library
603 South Jefferson Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 232-1233
Athens-Limestone Public Library

Limitations of Free Access:

Free resources typically provide only basic information, with limitations including:

Lack of document images and full case files
Absence of historical records
Limited search functionality
No access to sealed or expunged records
Restricted information on pending cases

For comprehensive criminal background checks or complete case files, fees are generally required through either the Limestone County Sheriff's Office, the Circuit Clerk, or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

What's Included in a Limestone County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Limestone County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest
Probable cause statement
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information
Release date (if applicable)

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (District or Circuit)
Judge assigned to the case
Charges filed by the prosecutor
Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea information
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor information
Court appearances and hearing dates
Motions filed and their dispositions

Case Disposition:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing information:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations
Completion of sentence information

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI offenses
Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history in Limestone County

The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and the disposition of the charges. Records maintained by the Thirty-Ninth Circuit Court of Alabama - Limestone County typically contain the most complete documentation of court proceedings, while the Limestone County Sheriff's Office maintains detailed arrest and booking information.

How Long Does Limestone County Keep Criminal Records?

Limestone County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by Alabama state law and administrative policies. The Alabama Department of Archives and History oversees the Records Disposition Authority (RDA) that governs retention periods for court and law enforcement records throughout the state.

Court Records Retention:

The Limestone County Circuit Clerk's Office retains criminal case records according to the following schedule:

Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for capital cases and cases resulting in sentences of 20 years or more. Other felony cases are retained for 75 years from date of final disposition.
Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 25 years from date of final disposition.
Traffic Case Files: Retained for 10 years from date of final disposition.
Grand Jury Records: Permanently retained due to their historical significance.
Docket Books and Indexes: Permanently retained as essential records of court proceedings.
Court Recordings and Transcripts: Retained for the same period as the corresponding case file.

These retention periods are established pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-13-23, which authorizes the State Records Commission to establish retention schedules.

Law Enforcement Records Retention:

The Limestone County Sheriff's Office maintains criminal records according to the following schedule:

Arrest Reports: Retained for 20 years from date of arrest.
Incident Reports: Retained for 5 years for misdemeanors and 20 years for felonies.
Investigation Files: Retained for 5 years after case closure for misdemeanors and 20 years for felonies. Homicide and sexual assault cases are retained permanently.
Booking Photos and Fingerprints: Retained permanently in electronic format.
Jail Records: Retained for 7 years after release from custody.
Sex Offender Registration Records: Maintained for the duration of registration requirement plus 5 years.

Electronic Records:

With the implementation of electronic record-keeping systems, many criminal records are now maintained indefinitely in digital format through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts statewide system. However, access to older records may require special requests and additional processing time.

Expungement Exceptions:

Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 are removed from public access, though certain agencies may retain sealed versions for limited official purposes.

The retention of criminal records ensures the integrity of the criminal justice system while balancing the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns. Specific inquiries about record availability should be directed to the maintaining agency.

Lookup Criminal Records in Limestone County

Thirty-Ninth Circuit Court of Alabama - Limestone County

Limestone County - Thirty-Ninth Circuit Court of Alabama

Alabama Administrative Office of Courts