Cherokee County Criminal Records
What Is Cherokee County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Cherokee County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the law enforcement and judicial systems within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass a broad range of documentation, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions exist among the various types of criminal records maintained in Cherokee County:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, while a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest does not constitute a conviction under the law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses carrying potential sentences of more than one year of incarceration; misdemeanors are lesser offenses typically resulting in fines or shorter jail terms.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, whereas juvenile records are routinely sealed pursuant to state law and are not available for public inspection except under limited circumstances.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants represent current, outstanding orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions.
Criminal records in Cherokee County may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, pleas entered, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole conditions. The principal agencies responsible for maintaining these records include:
- Cherokee County Sheriff's Office – maintains arrest records and jail booking information
- Cherokee County Circuit Court / District Court – maintains case files, dockets, and final dispositions
- Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) – maintains statewide criminal history records
- Local municipal police departments – maintain records of arrests made within their respective jurisdictions
Under Alabama Code § 41-9-591, criminal history record information is defined to include records and data compiled by criminal justice agencies for purposes of identifying criminal offenders and maintaining a summary of their criminal histories.
Cherokee County Circuit Court 100 Main Street, Centre, AL 35960 (256) 927-3668 Cherokee County Circuit Court
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 100 Main Street, Centre, AL 35960 (256) 927-3535 Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
Are Criminal Records Public In Cherokee County
Criminal records in Cherokee County are generally considered public records under Alabama law. The Alabama Open Records Act (Alabama Code § 36-12-40) establishes that all public records shall be open for inspection by any citizen of Alabama, unless otherwise provided by law. This statute forms the foundational legal basis for public access to criminal records maintained by government agencies in Cherokee County.
Under current law, the following categories of records are accessible to members of the public:
- Adult conviction records and court case dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Court dockets, case filings, and hearing schedules
- Sentencing records and probation orders entered by the court
Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure, including:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could compromise law enforcement operations
- Juvenile criminal records, which are sealed by operation of law to protect the privacy of minors
- Expunged records, which have been legally removed from public access pursuant to court order
- Confidential informant information and sensitive investigative materials
Members of the public may inspect adult conviction records and court proceedings as a matter of right. Requests for restricted records require a demonstrated legal basis or court authorization.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Cherokee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Cherokee County may obtain them through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for accessing these records:
Step 1 – Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the records sought are arrest records (held by the Sheriff's Office or local police), court case records (held by the Circuit Court Clerk), or statewide criminal history records (held by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation).
Step 2 – Submit a request to the Cherokee County Circuit Court Clerk. Court case records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing information, are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Requests may be submitted in person during public counter hours.
Cherokee County Circuit Court Clerk 100 Main Street, Centre, AL 35960 (256) 927-3668 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Alabama Courts
Step 3 – Contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for arrest and jail records. Booking records, arrest logs, and jail rosters are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person or by telephone.
Step 4 – Request a statewide criminal history record through the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. For a comprehensive background check that includes records from across the state, members of the public may submit a request to the ABI. Fingerprint-based background checks are available for authorized purposes.
Alabama Bureau of Investigation 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 353-4340 Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Step 5 – Complete required forms and pay applicable fees. Certain record requests require completion of a written request form and payment of a processing fee. Fee schedules are established by the respective agency.
How To Find Criminal Records in Cherokee County Online?
Several official online portals provide access to Cherokee County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Alabama Trial Court Case Search (Alacourt.gov) The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts operates the Alacourt public case search portal, which allows members of the public to search for court case records by name, case number, or other identifiers. This portal contains:
- Case filing dates and case numbers
- Charges and applicable statutes
- Hearing schedules and docket entries
- Disposition and sentencing information
No registration is required for basic public case searches. Certain detailed case documents may require registration or in-person access.
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office – Jail Roster The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster that lists individuals currently held in the county detention facility. This roster is accessible through the Sheriff's Office website and is updated regularly. The roster includes the individual's name, booking date, and charges.
Alabama Sex Offender Registry The Alabama Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and is searchable online by name, county, or zip code. This registry contains registration information for individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses.
Alabama Inmate Search The Alabama Department of Corrections operates an inmate search tool that allows members of the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities.
Records pertaining to sealed cases, juvenile matters, and ongoing investigations are not available through any online portal and must be requested through formal legal channels.
Can You Search Cherokee County Criminal Records for Free?
Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect public records at no charge. The right of inspection is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which agencies may charge a reasonable fee.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Alabama Trial Court Case Search – The Alacourt public portal provides free access to court case information, including charges, dispositions, and hearing dates, for cases filed in Cherokee County Circuit and District Courts.
- Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster – The current jail roster is available free of charge on the Sheriff's Office website.
- Alabama Sex Offender Registry – Searchable at no cost through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's online portal.
- Alabama Inmate Search – The Department of Corrections inmate locator is available to the public at no charge.
Fees are assessed for the following services:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Fingerprint-based background checks through the ABI
- Copies of physical records obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's office
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Cherokee County Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours without incurring a fee for inspection.
What's Included in a Cherokee County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive criminal record maintained in Cherokee County contains multiple categories of information drawn from law enforcement and court sources.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description, including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or other law enforcement)
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record information
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details, including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution ordered, and conditions of release
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole terms and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI or DWI convictions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Cherokee County Keep Criminal Records?
Criminal records in Cherokee County are subject to retention schedules established under Alabama law and applicable state administrative rules. The Alabama Department of Archives and History, in coordination with the Alabama Records Commission, establishes mandatory retention periods for public records maintained by county agencies.
Current retention periods for principal categories of criminal records include:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Circuit Court Clerk and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of five years following final disposition, with many records retained permanently
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained according to agency policy; may be subject to expungement upon petition to the court
- Jail booking records: Retained for a minimum of five years by the Sheriff's Office
- Court case files (felony): Retained permanently pursuant to the Alabama Judicial Records Retention Schedule
- Court case files (misdemeanor): Retained for a minimum of five years following final disposition
- Juvenile records: Retained under seal and subject to destruction upon the subject reaching a specified age, unless the matter involved a serious offense
Under Alabama Code § 41-13-21, no public record may be destroyed or disposed of without authorization from the Alabama Records Commission. Agencies must follow approved retention schedules and obtain proper authorization before disposing of any criminal justice records.
The Alabama Judicial Records Retention Schedule, administered by the Administrative Office of Courts, governs retention periods for all records maintained by the Circuit and District Courts in Cherokee County.
Alabama Department of Archives and History 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130 (334) 242-4435 Alabama Department of Archives and History
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts 300 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 954-5000 Alabama Administrative Office of Courts