Lee County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lee County
Arrest records in Lee County, Alabama, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to the Alabama Open Records Act, Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, all citizens are entitled to inspect and copy public writings maintained by state and county agencies, including law enforcement records, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This statute establishes the foundational right of public access to government-held information, including records generated by law enforcement agencies operating within Lee County.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the fact that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement and may include booking information, charges filed, and bail conditions. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under Alabama law, an arrest does not constitute proof of guilt, and members of the public are advised to interpret arrest records accordingly. Certain arrest records involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or sealed proceedings may be withheld from public disclosure. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Department of Public Safety oversees statewide criminal history record policies and provides guidance on permissible uses of such information.
What's in Lee County Arrest Records
Lee County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and updated as a case progresses through the criminal justice system.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name, including any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, weight, and physical descriptors
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Lee County Sheriff's Office, Opelika Police Department)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed, including Alabama Code citations
- Classification of each offense (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
- Whether charges were later amended, dismissed, or upgraded
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued and jurisdiction
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Date and time of booking at the Lee County Detention Center
- Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, or release on recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
- Current bond status
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the circuit or district court
- Scheduled court dates and hearing types
- Assigned judge and prosecuting agency
Custody Status:
- Current incarceration status or release date
- Transfer information if the individual was moved to another facility
Additional Information May Include:
- Narrative arrest report summaries (subject to investigative exemptions)
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
- Co-defendant information where applicable
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Lee County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Lee County arrest records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for accessing these records.
- Contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for individuals processed at the Lee County Detention Center. Requestors may appear in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or submit a written public records request.
Lee County Sheriff's Office 100 Percent Circle Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 749-5651 Lee County Sheriff's Office
- Submit a Request to the Opelika Police Department — For arrests made within the City of Opelika, the Opelika Police Department's records division processes public records requests. The department's public records request portal allows members of the public to submit requests electronically. Requestors experiencing difficulty with the online process may call 334-705-5110.
Opelika Police Department 300 MLK Jr. Boulevard Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 705-5110 Opelika Police Department Records and Reports
- Access Circuit Court Records — Arrest-related court filings are maintained by the Lee County Thirty-Seventh Circuit Court. The T.K. Davis Justice Center serves as the primary courthouse for Lee County.
Lee County Thirty-Seventh Circuit Court 2311 Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 737-3433 Lee County Circuit Court
- Request Statewide Criminal History Records — For a comprehensive criminal history that may include arrests across multiple Alabama jurisdictions, members of the public may submit a request to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Fees and identification requirements apply.
How To Find Lee County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to Lee County arrest-related information without requiring an in-person visit.
- Alabama Alacourt.gov — The Lee County Thirty-Seventh Circuit Court provides online access to court case information, including case numbers, charges, and hearing dates associated with arrests processed through the circuit and district courts.
- Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody may be located through the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search. The search tool accepts first and last name entries separately or in combination.
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — The Department of Public Safety maintains statewide criminal history records and provides guidance on how to request official background check reports through authorized channels.
- Lee County Sheriff's Office Online Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office periodically publishes a current jail roster on its official website, listing individuals currently held at the Lee County Detention Center.
How To Search Lee County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Lee County arrest records at no cost through the following methods.
- Online Court Case Search — The Lee County Circuit Court's online portal allows free searches of publicly available case information, including charges and court dates linked to arrests.
- In-Person Inspection at the Courthouse — Pursuant to § 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no charge. Fees may apply only when copies are requested.
- Sheriff's Office Jail Roster — The Lee County Sheriff's Office publishes a free online jail roster reflecting current detainees at the county detention facility.
- Opelika Police Department Records Portal — Basic incident and arrest information may be requested at no cost through the city's public records request system. Fees for extensive document reproduction may apply per the department's fee schedule.
- Alabama Department of Corrections Search — The inmate search tool provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections is available to the public free of charge for locating individuals in state custody.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Lee County
Alabama law provides two distinct legal remedies for individuals seeking to limit public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes). These remedies are not interchangeable, and eligibility depends on the nature of the underlying charge and the outcome of the case.
Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq., individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:
- The charge was dismissed with prejudice
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- No charges were filed within the applicable statute of limitations
- The charge was a non-violent misdemeanor or felony and the individual successfully completed a diversion program or deferred prosecution agreement
- The conviction was for a non-violent offense and the individual has met all statutory waiting periods and conditions
Steps to Pursue Expungement in Lee County:
- Obtain a certified copy of the disposition from the Lee County Circuit or District Court.
- Complete the petition for expungement form available through the Alabama court system.
- File the petition with the Lee County Circuit Court at the T.K. Davis Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.
- Pay the applicable filing fee (currently set by statute, subject to change).
- Serve notice on the arresting agency and the district attorney's office as required by law.
- Attend any scheduled hearing if the petition is contested.
Sealing differs from expungement in that the record is not destroyed but is restricted from public view. Law enforcement agencies and certain licensing boards may retain access to sealed records. Individuals with questions regarding eligibility are advised to consult a licensed Alabama attorney or the Alabama State Bar's lawyer referral service.
What Happens After Arrest in Lee County?
The criminal justice process in Lee County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest and Booking — Upon arrest, the individual is transported to the Lee County Detention Center, where booking procedures are completed, including fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information and charges.
- Initial Appearance — Within 72 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a district court judge or magistrate for an initial appearance. At this stage, the court reviews the charges, advises the defendant of rights, and sets bond conditions.
- Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury — For felony charges, the case proceeds either to a preliminary hearing in district court or to a grand jury for indictment consideration.
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally arraigned in circuit court, where a plea of guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect is entered.
- Pre-Trial Proceedings — Both parties engage in discovery, and pre-trial motions may be filed. Plea negotiations may occur at any stage.
- Trial or Plea Disposition — The case is resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a bench or jury trial.
- Sentencing — Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Alabama's sentencing guidelines and applicable statutes.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Lee County?
Arrest records in Lee County are subject to retention schedules established under Alabama law and applicable agency policies. Under Alabama Code § 41-13-20 et seq., public records may not be destroyed without authorization from the Alabama Department of Archives and History, which establishes official retention schedules for law enforcement and court records.
Key retention principles currently in effect include:
- Law enforcement arrest records are generally retained for a minimum of five years following the date of arrest for misdemeanor offenses and indefinitely for felony arrests, absent a court-ordered expungement.
- Court records associated with criminal cases are maintained by the Lee County Circuit Court in accordance with the Alabama Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which mandates permanent retention for felony conviction records.
- Booking records held by the Lee County Detention Center are subject to the county's adopted retention schedule, which aligns with state guidelines.
- Different agencies maintain different retention periods — the arresting law enforcement agency, the detention facility, and the court system each maintain independent record sets with potentially varying retention timelines.
- Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining governmental accountability to the public.
Individuals whose records have been expunged pursuant to § 15-27-1 may request confirmation of destruction or sealing from the relevant agency following the court's expungement order.
How to Find Mugshots in Lee County
What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photographic image taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and are maintained alongside fingerprint cards and booking data.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots taken in Lee County are maintained by the Lee County Sheriff's Office for individuals booked at the county detention facility, and by the Opelika Police Department for arrests processed through the city's booking system. The Opelika Police Department's records division retains photographs as part of each arrest file, which may be released with proper approval.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots by submitting a public records request to the relevant law enforcement agency. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and the case or booking number if known.
Can They Be Found Online The Lee County Sheriff's Office may publish current booking photographs on its jail roster. Third-party websites may also aggregate and republish mugshot images; however, such sites are not official government sources and may not reflect current custody status or case disposition.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official mugshot requests are processed through the same channels as other arrest record requests. The Opelika Police Department accepts requests via its online public records portal or in person at the Records Division counter.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with juvenile arrests are not subject to public disclosure under Alabama law. Additionally, if an arrest record has been expunged pursuant to § 15-27-1, the associated mugshot is likewise subject to removal from public access. Law enforcement agencies retain discretion to withhold booking photographs where release could compromise an ongoing investigation.