As with many other things, you will find that there are some significant differences when discussing how each state decides to tackle the issue of criminal records. As far as the state of Alabama goes, the Criminal Records Identification Unit is in charge of handling all requests for criminal records. The Criminal Records Identification Unit is part of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. The department that oversees the Criminal Justice Information Services Division is the State Bureau of Investigation.
In some states, you can submit a request for someone’s criminal record in a number of ways. However, in the state of Alabama, you must mail the completed application. You cannot submit it online.
Info in Alabama Criminal Records
Even in the state of Alabama, the information contained in criminal records may vary from county to county. However, there is some general information that you will typically find in Alabama criminal records. This general information includes:
- The offender’s first, middle, and last name
- The offense they committed and the law they broke
- Race, hair color, eye color, etc.
- Birthdate
- Any pending charges
- Dismissed or acquitted charges
You should also know that the Criminal History Section keeps fingerprint files for every single arrested offender in the state of Alabama.
Common Ways Criminal Records Are Used
Your criminal records can be used in any number of different ways. However, one of the most common uses of criminal records is as part of a pre-employment background check. Your prospective employer will certainly want to know about any criminal history you might have and this is understandable. A landlord might also check your criminal history and take any criminal records you have into consideration when thinking about whether or not to let rent on their property. A bank may even take a look at your criminal records when considering if they will approve you for a loan.
Accessing Your Alabama Criminal Records
Some states are more cautious than others when it comes to permitting access to your criminal records. In the state of Alabama, you are not the only person who can access your criminal records. In addition to law enforcement and government agencies, approved third parties can access your criminal records if they submit the proper application. However, the state of Alabama does have to permit these third parties to access your criminal records. Your criminal records in Alabama are not available to the public, unlike criminal records in other states.
Requesting Criminal Records in Alabama
You can request criminal records in Alabama by filling out the correct application. This application is the Application To Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information and you have to file this application with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. You must complete this application in full and include the $25 administrative fee.
You can pay this fee via money order or cashier’s check. You should make this payable to the ALEA, Criminal Records and Identification Unit. You can also authorize the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to release your criminal records to a requesting agency or an authorized agent. You have to fill in the name and address of this agency or agent.