Birmingham and Bessemer Jail Booking, Bond and Criminal Court Lookup
Search the official Jefferson County inmate roster, determine whether the person is housed in Birmingham or Bessemer, check booking and bond details, prepare for a jail visit and move from the Sheriff’s custody record to the correct Alabama criminal court case.
Jefferson County has two jail facilities and separate Birmingham and Bessemer court divisions. This guide helps you choose the correct office quickly instead of calling the wrong jail, court or state agency.
Start With the Sheriff Roster, Then Check the Correct Court Division
Use the Sheriff’s official inmate portal for present custody, booking number, charges, housing facility and available bond details. After locating the record, use Alabama’s court-record system or the Jefferson County clerk to check the filed criminal case, hearings and disposition.
Name, subject number, booking number, date range and facility filters.
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N • 205-325-5670
1822 2nd Avenue North • 205-481-4160
205-325-5716
205-481-8529
205-325-5355 • Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
205-588-4220 • Birmingham Division
Read the court disposition before relying on a charge description.
Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency or an instant transfer because a caller claims release depends on it. Independently call the correct jail or Pre-Trial Release Office and confirm the booking number, total conditions and approved payment location.
Choose the Jefferson County Problem You Need to Solve
This browser-only helper does not request or store a name, date of birth, booking number or case number.
How to Search Jefferson County Arrest Records and Jail Bookings
The Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry is the best first source for a current Jefferson County booking. It allows searches by name, subject number, booking number, custody status, booking-date range and housing facility.
Open Jefferson County Inmate Search
Transport, identification, fingerprinting, medical screening and system entry may still be underway. Search again later or call the appropriate facility.
Try the surname alone, remove punctuation and test a previous, maiden or hyphenated surname.
The person may have been released, transferred or moved to another jurisdiction. Continue with the court and Alabama DOC searches.
What Each Jefferson County Record Source Actually Answers
User question | Best starting source | What it may show | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
Is the person currently in the Jefferson County jail system? | Sheriff Inmate Inquiry | Current custody, housing facility, booking and charge information | Guilt or the final court disposition |
Is the person in Birmingham or Bessemer? | Housing-facility field and jail switchboard | Current facility assignment | That the assignment will remain unchanged |
What happened in the criminal case? | Alacourt and Jefferson Circuit Clerk | Case number, charges, docket entries, hearings and disposition | That a private mugshot page has updated |
Is the person serving an Alabama prison sentence? | Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search | Currently incarcerated state inmates and institution | Current Jefferson County jail custody or historical ADOC custody |
What appears on my Alabama criminal-history record? | ALEA Criminal History Record Information | Fingerprint-supported Alabama criminal-history information | A free public name search for another person |
Birmingham and Bessemer Jail Addresses and Telephone Numbers
Jefferson County Corrections operates facilities in downtown Birmingham and Bessemer. Confirm the current housing facility before visiting, sending property or discussing release.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Main switchboard: 205-325-5670
Administration: 205-325-5772
Pre-Trial Release: 205-325-5716
Bessemer, AL 35020
Main switchboard: 205-481-4160
Administration: 205-481-8502
Pre-Trial Release: 205-481-8529
How to Check Bond and Pre-Trial Release in Jefferson County
The Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Release Office operates from both facilities. It helps process qualified releases and assists the public with bonds for people who do not qualify for the Pre-Trial Release program.
How to Find a Jefferson County Criminal Case, Court Date or Courtroom
Jefferson County has Birmingham and Bessemer divisions. Use the division connected with the case rather than assuming every Jefferson County arrest is handled at the downtown Birmingham courthouse.
Open Alacourt Just One Look
Open Find My Courtroom
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-325-5355
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Birmingham, AL 35203
District criminal court and related criminal-court offices.
Bessemer, AL 35020
Use the Bessemer Division court page or case record to confirm the correct office and courtroom.
Jefferson County Jail Visitation Rules and Scheduling
Visitation days and times can change. The Sheriff currently states that there is no visitation on Monday or Friday. The inmate must schedule the 45-minute time slot one day before the visit.
Rule | What the visitor should do |
|---|---|
Visitor identification | Visitors age 17 or older must carry a valid state identification card or driver’s license. |
Scheduling | The inmate schedules a 45-minute time slot one day before the visit. |
Weekly limit | An inmate may have two visits per week. |
Visitor group | The published limit is two adults and two children over age three per visit. |
Children | Children age 16 and younger must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian. |
Children under three | The Sheriff states they are permitted only on the first Sunday of each month. |
Search and security | Visitors are subject to search. Refusing a search results in denied entry. |
Prohibited items | Do not bring cell phones, electronics, purses, packages, food or drinks into the facility. |
Clothing and conduct | Wear non-revealing clothing, supervise children and avoid disruptive behaviour. |
How to Confirm Inmate Phone, Mail, Money and Property Rules
The current public Sheriff corrections page does not publish a complete provider, deposit-fee, mailing-address and package-rule list. Call the specific facility before opening a vendor account, mailing money or sending property.
Ask which provider is currently used and whether the inmate initiates calls.
Confirm the official deposit provider, fees, limits and refund rules.
Obtain the exact inmate-name, booking-number and facility-address format.
Do not mail clothing, books, food or other items without written facility approval.
Jefferson County Public Defender and Private Lawyer Help
950 22nd Street North, Suite 1000
Birmingham, AL
205-588-4220
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed on Alabama state holidays
Monday–Friday:
8:30–11:30 a.m.
1:30–4:30 p.m.
The Jefferson County Public Defender website specifically describes Birmingham Division service.
For a Bessemer Division case, ask the Bessemer court or assigned judge how appointed counsel is handled.
When to Use ALEA Criminal History or Alabama DOC Inmate Search
Use this when you need fingerprint-supported Alabama criminal-history information, particularly your own record or an authorised background-check purpose.
Use ADOC after a person has been sentenced and transferred into Alabama state-prison custody. It is not the correct first search for a fresh Jefferson County arrest.
Requirement | Current official guidance |
|---|---|
Fingerprinting | The applicant must be fingerprinted for the criminal-history review. |
Identification | Include a copy of current photo identification. |
Application | Complete the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information. |
Listed fee | $25 by money order or cashier’s check, with additional copies currently listed at $5 each. |
In-person location | 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, Adams Avenue side. |
Mailing address | P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. |
Questions | 334-676-7897. |
Custody Notifications, Warrants and Sex-Offender Searches
Use VINELink for available custody-status information and notification registration. Confirm whether the specific Jefferson County or state record participates.
The inmate roster is not a complete warrant-clearance service. Birmingham Warrant Unit: 205-325-5725. Bessemer Warrant Unit: 205-481-4210.
The ALEA registry is a separate public-safety system and should not be confused with ordinary arrest or criminal-court records.
How to Correct or Expunge a Jefferson County Arrest Record
Correcting a jail entry, challenging ALEA information, filing an Alabama expungement petition and asking a private mugshot website to remove a page are separate processes.
Problem | Starting route | What to collect |
|---|---|---|
Wrong booking information | Jefferson County Sheriff Records Unit | Booking number, subject number, exact error and supporting identity documents |
Wrong Alabama criminal-history entry | ALEA Individual Challenge | Fingerprint-supported record, court disposition and agency documentation |
Eligible criminal case | Expungement petition in the proper Jefferson County court | Certified criminal record, certified disposition and required petition documents |
Private mugshot page remains | Publisher correction or removal request after official resolution | Exact URL, screenshot, court order and redacted official proof |
Why the Jefferson County Record May Be Missing or Different
Search again later and call the arresting agency or jail when the arrest occurred only recently.
Remove the Birmingham or Bessemer filter and search both locations.
Use surname only, remove punctuation and try an alias, maiden name or hyphenated variation.
Search without “In Custody” and move to Alacourt for the continuing criminal case.
Use the Alabama DOC inmate search with the AIS number or complete legal name.
The case may be handled by a city court, another county, federal court or a different detention system.
Prepare These Details for the Jail, Court or Lawyer
Jefferson County Jail and Courthouse Maps
Switch between the Birmingham Jail, Bessemer Jail and Birmingham courthouse. Confirm the destination before travelling because the detention facility and court may be different buildings.
Confirm the facility, court division, visit status, courtroom and office hours.
Custody belongs to the jail, case records to the clerk and criminal-history reviews to ALEA.
Jefferson County and Alabama Arrest Record Links
Continue With a Nearby State Arrest Record Guide
Jefferson County Alabama Arrest Records FAQs
What is the official Jefferson County Alabama inmate search?
The official search is the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry. It supports searches by name, subject number, booking number, custody status, booking-date range and housing facility. Compare the complete identity and booking details before relying on a result.
How do I know whether an inmate is in Birmingham or Bessemer?
Open the complete inmate result and read the housing-facility field. Confirm the location before travelling by calling Birmingham Jail at 205-325-5670 or Bessemer Jail at 205-481-4160 because assignments can change.
How quickly does a new Jefferson County booking appear online?
The Sheriff does not promise an exact posting time. Transport, identification, fingerprinting, medical screening and booking entry can delay a fresh result. Search again later or contact the jail when the arrest occurred recently.
How do I check bond or Pre-Trial Release?
Open the complete booking and note every case, charge and bond entry. Then call Birmingham Pre-Trial Release at 205-325-5716 or Bessemer Pre-Trial Release at 205-481-8529. Ask about all holds and obtain current payment instructions directly from the facility or court.
What are the Jefferson County jail visitation rules?
The Sheriff currently states there is no visitation on Monday or Friday. The inmate must schedule a 45-minute slot one day before the visit and may have two visits per week. Visitors age 17 or older need valid state identification, and phones, electronics, purses, packages, food and drinks are prohibited.
How do I find a Jefferson County criminal court case?
Use Alacourt Just One Look with the case number when available. Confirm whether the case belongs to the Birmingham or Bessemer Division, review the docket and disposition and contact the filing court’s clerk when you need a certified copy or complete court file.
How can I contact the Jefferson County Public Defender?
The Jefferson County Public Defender’s Birmingham Division office is at 950 22nd Street North, Suite 1000, Birmingham, and the telephone number is 205-588-4220. Published hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Alabama state holidays.
How can I request my Alabama criminal-history record?
Use the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information. The process requires fingerprints, current photo identification, the completed application and the current fee. ALEA presently lists $25 for the review and $5 for each additional copy.
Where do I search after an inmate transfers to Alabama state prison?
Use the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search. Search by the six-digit AIS number when available or by complete legal name. The ADOC database covers currently incarcerated state inmates and does not replace the Jefferson County jail roster.
How can a Jefferson County arrest record be expunged?
Obtain the certified criminal-history and court-disposition documents, review the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s expungement instructions and use the current Alabama CR-65 petition. File in the proper Birmingham or Bessemer court division and verify the current fee before submission. Private website removal is a separate process.
Official-resource review completed August 3, 2026
This independent guide is not affiliated with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County courts, Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, Jefferson County Public Defender, ALEA, Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama State Bar, VINELink or a private bond company.
Custody, housing assignment, bond conditions, visitation availability, provider information, court dates, fees, forms, office procedures and telephone routing can change. Confirm time-sensitive information directly with the responsible office.
Responsible-use notice: An arrest is not a conviction. Do not use a mugshot, inmate result or this article for employment, housing, tenant screening, credit, insurance or another decision requiring a legally compliant consumer report.