Search Birmingham Jail Mugshots
Birmingham jail mugshots are maintained by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Birmingham is the largest city in Jefferson County with about 196,000 residents. The city has both a municipal jail for short-term holding and access to the Jefferson County Jail for longer detention. When Birmingham Police arrest someone, that person may first go to the city jail before transfer to county custody. Jefferson County uses a Tyler NewWorld inmate system that lets you search current inmates online. Mugshots and booking records are public under Alabama law.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Which County Handles Birmingham Arrests
Birmingham is in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office runs the main jail system. Most people arrested in Birmingham end up at the Jefferson County Jail in downtown Birmingham.
Jefferson County Jail contact information:
- Address: 2200 8th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Jail Phone: (205) 325-5599
- Sheriff's Office: (205) 325-1450
- Online Roster: Jefferson County Inmate Inquiry
Birmingham also has a city jail at 1710 1st Avenue North. This holds people for short periods, usually less than 48 hours. For longer detention and formal booking with mugshots, people transfer to Jefferson County.
How to Find Birmingham Jail Mugshots
There are several ways to search for Birmingham jail mugshots. Online search is the easiest for current inmates.
The Jefferson County Sheriff has one of the best online systems in Alabama. The Tyler NewWorld inmate inquiry lets you search by name, booking number, or date. Go to the sheriff's website and click Inmate Inquiry. Enter a last name to find matching inmates. Results show mugshots with charges, bond amounts, and court dates.
For in-person requests, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 2200 8th Avenue North. This is near the courthouse in downtown Birmingham. Staff can help search records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-22-8, the jailer's log is public.
For historical records, contact ALEA at 334-676-7897. They keep statewide criminal history including mugshots. The fee is $25 by mail or $15 online. This is best for older records not in the current jail roster.
Birmingham Police Department
Birmingham Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the city. BPD handles most arrests within Birmingham.
BPD contact information:
- Address: 1710 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Non-Emergency: (205) 328-9311
- Website: birminghamal.gov/departments/police
BPD operates the Birmingham City Jail for temporary holding. This is at the same address as police headquarters. City jail mugshots end up in the county system when people are transferred for formal booking.
Birmingham Municipal Court handles traffic tickets and city ordinance violations. The court is at 710 North 20th Street. Phone: (205) 254-2391. Not all municipal cases result in jail booking.
What Birmingham Jail Records Include
When someone is booked into Jefferson County Jail after arrest in Birmingham, the record captures several details.
A typical Birmingham booking record shows:
- Front-facing mugshot photograph
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and current age
- Physical description with height and weight
- Booking number assigned by the jail
- Date and time of booking
- All charges at time of arrest
- Bond amount if the court set one
- Arresting agency (BPD or other)
- Court dates and case numbers
The online system shows most of this. Home addresses and Social Security numbers are not displayed publicly.
Alabama Public Records Laws
Birmingham jail mugshots are public records. Alabama law governs how these documents are kept and accessed.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 creates the Open Records Act. This lets everyone inspect and copy public records. Mugshots are public. You do not need to state a reason to see them.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires sheriffs to keep a prisoner record book. This book must show identifying information for everyone in jail. It must be available for public inspection during office hours.
Alabama Code Section 14-6-1 gives the sheriff custody of the county jail. The Jefferson County Sheriff controls Birmingham booking records and mugshots.
You may be able to get records expunged. Alabama Code Sections 15-27-1 and 15-27-2 allow expungement if charges were dropped or you were acquitted. The filing fee is $500.
Federal Court in Birmingham
Birmingham is home to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Federal cases are handled separately from state cases.
Federal arrests go through federal marshals, not Jefferson County Jail. Federal inmates may be held at FCI Talladega or transported to other facilities. Search federal inmates at bop.gov.
The FBI Birmingham Field Office is at 1000 18th Street North. FBI arrests are federal matters and follow different procedures than city or county arrests.
Legal Resources in Birmingham
Several organizations provide legal help in the Birmingham area.
Legal Services Alabama has a Birmingham office at 500 Bell Building, 207 Montgomery Street. Phone: (205) 328-3540. They offer free help to qualifying low-income residents.
The Birmingham Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (205) 251-8006. They can connect you with a criminal defense attorney.
The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660. Initial consultations cost up to $50 for 30 minutes.
UAB has a legal clinic that offers limited services. Phone: (205) 934-3435. This may help students and some community members.
Nearby Cities
Other major cities near Birmingham also use the Jefferson County Jail system.
Search Birmingham Jail Records
Use our search tool to find jail mugshots and arrest records for Birmingham, Alabama.