Find Booking Reports in Winston County

The Winston County Sheriff's Office creates and stores booking reports for all arrests in the county. Double Springs serves as the county seat where the main sheriff's office is located. Booking information is available by contacting the sheriff's office directly. Under Alabama law, these records are public and available for inspection during business hours.

Winston County Sheriff Contact

The Winston County Sheriff's Office handles all booking reports and jail operations for the county. Contact them directly for official records requests, to verify if someone is in custody, or for information about jail procedures. Staff can answer questions about the booking process and explain what records are available.

When calling about booking reports, have the full name and date of birth ready if possible. This helps staff locate records quickly. For formal records requests, you may need to visit in person with valid photo identification. Alabama residents have the right to inspect public jail records under Code of Alabama § 36-22-8.

How to Search Winston County Booking Reports

Winston County does not currently offer an online searchable jail roster. To find booking reports, you must contact the sheriff's office directly by phone or visit in person. Call (205) 489-2115 during business hours to check if someone is in custody. Staff can provide basic booking information over the phone.

For official copies of booking records, plan to visit the sheriff's office at County Courthouse, Double Springs, AL 35553. Bring valid photo identification. Ask for the records division and specify what information you need. Processing times vary based on workload. For court records tied to arrests, use Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com which charges $9.99 per name search and covers all Alabama courts.

State-level criminal history checks through ALEA cost $25 and require fingerprint submission. This shows records from all Alabama counties, not just Winston. Visit alea.gov for application forms and instructions.

Winston County Booking Report Fees

There is no fee to call and check if someone is in custody. Anyone can view current inmate information without payment. Official copies of booking records may have fees that vary by request type. Contact the sheriff's office for current fee schedules.

General fee guidelines for Winston County records:

• Online roster search: Free
• Phone status check: Free
• Copy of booking record: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
• Certified copies: $5 to $25 depending on type

For state-level background checks, ALEA charges $25 and requires fingerprint submission. Court records through Alacourt Access cost $9.99 per name search. These alternatives may be useful if you need records beyond what the county provides directly.

How to Request Records in Winston County

You can request booking records in Winston County through several methods. Each option works better for different situations. Choose based on what you need and how quickly you need it.

For quick status checks, call the sheriff's office at (205) 489-2115. Staff can tell you if someone is currently in custody. They can provide basic booking information over the phone. This is the fastest way to confirm an arrest.

For official copies, visit the sheriff's office in person at County Courthouse, Double Springs, AL 35553. Bring valid photo identification. Ask for the records division. Specify exactly what records you need. Staff will process your request and tell you any fees. Processing time depends on the complexity of your request and current workload.

Winston County Historical Significance

Winston County earned the nickname "Free State of Winston" during the Civil War. The county opposed secession and remained pro-Union throughout the conflict. This was unusual for a Deep South county. A monument in Double Springs depicts a soldier split between Union and Confederate uniforms, symbolizing the county's divided loyalties.

Winston County has been consistently Republican since Reconstruction. This political stance is unique in Alabama's traditionally Democratic Black Belt region. The independent streak continues in local government operations.

The sheriff's office serves this historically unique community. No online roster is available. Call (205) 489-2115 for booking information. The county's small population means lower booking volumes than urban areas. Staff can typically respond to inquiries quickly during business hours.

Alabama Booking Report Laws

Alabama law requires booking reports to be public records. Code of Alabama § 36-22-8 mandates that sheriffs maintain a public record book for all prisoners. This book must include names, ages, charges, commitment dates, and release dates. The records must be available for public inspection.

Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to inspect and copy public records. This includes booking reports held by the Winston County Sheriff. You do not need to provide a reason for your request. However, Alabama is one of only seven states that limits public records access to state residents.

Some records have privacy restrictions. Juvenile records are confidential under § 12-15-133. Records of ongoing investigations may be withheld under § 12-21-3.1. Expunged records must be removed from public access under Chapter 15-27. The sheriff's office follows all state requirements when responding to records requests.

Nearby Alabama Counties

These counties border Winston County. If you are unsure which county handles a specific arrest, the location of the arrest determines jurisdiction. Contact the appropriate sheriff's office based on where the incident occurred.