Mobile Jail Mugshots Database
Mobile jail mugshots are maintained by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. Mobile is Alabama's port city with about 201,000 residents, making it the second largest city in the state. The Mobile County Metro Jail serves as the main detention facility for the city and county. When Mobile Police arrest someone, they are booked at the Metro Jail where mugshots and records are created. You can search for current inmates online through the sheriff's inmate search tool. This database shows booking photos, charges, and bond information for people currently in custody.
Mobile Quick Facts
Which County Handles Mobile Arrests
Mobile is in Mobile County. The Mobile County Sheriff's Office runs the Metro Jail where all Mobile arrests are processed. This is one of the larger jail facilities in Alabama.
Mobile County Metro Jail contact information:
- Address: 450 St. Emanuel Street, Mobile, AL 36603
- Jail Phone: (251) 574-4700
- Sheriff's Office: (251) 574-8633
- Online Roster: mobileso.com/inmate-search
Mobile Police Department has holding cells for temporary detention but all formal booking with mugshots happens at the county Metro Jail.
How to Find Mobile Jail Mugshots
There are several methods to search for Mobile jail mugshots. Online search is fastest for current inmates.
The Mobile County Sheriff provides an online inmate search at mobileso.com. Go to the website and click Inmate Search. Enter a last name to search. You can also search by booking number if you have one. Results show mugshots with charges, booking dates, and bond amounts.
For in-person searches, visit the Mobile County Sheriff's Office at 510 S Royal Street. Staff can help look up records during business hours. Under Alabama Code Section 36-22-8, the prisoner log is a public record.
For historical records, contact ALEA at 334-676-7897. Statewide criminal records cost $25 by mail or $15 online. This is best for older records not in the current roster.
Mobile Police Department
Mobile Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the city. MPD is one of the oldest police departments in Alabama.
MPD contact information:
- Address: 2460 Government Boulevard, Mobile, AL 36606
- Non-Emergency: (251) 208-7211
- Website: mobilepd.org
MPD arrests are processed at the Mobile County Metro Jail. The police department does not maintain its own long-term mugshot database. All booking records go through the sheriff's office.
Mobile Municipal Court is at 205 Government Street. Phone: (251) 208-5900. The court handles city ordinance violations and traffic cases.
What Mobile Jail Records Show
When someone is booked at the Mobile County Metro Jail, a detailed record is created.
A typical Mobile booking record includes:
- Front-facing mugshot photograph
- Full name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Height, weight, and physical description
- Booking number and date
- All charges at arrest
- Bond amount if set
- Arresting agency name
- Holding location in the jail
Personal information like home addresses are not shown publicly. The online system displays most booking details.
Alabama Public Records Laws
Mobile jail mugshots are public records under Alabama law.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 is the Open Records Act. It gives residents the right to see public records. Mugshots are public documents. You can view them without giving a reason.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires the sheriff to keep a prisoner record book. This book must be available for public inspection during office hours.
Alabama Code Section 14-6-1 makes the sheriff responsible for the jail. The Mobile County Sheriff has custody of all booking records.
Expungement is possible in some cases. Alabama Code Sections 15-27-1 and 15-27-2 allow records to be expunged if charges were dropped or the person was acquitted. The filing fee is $500.
Port and Federal Jurisdiction
Mobile is Alabama's only saltwater port. This brings federal presence for maritime matters.
The U.S. Coast Guard operates in Mobile Bay. Coast Guard arrests are federal matters and do not go through the county jail. Federal cases are handled at the U.S. District Court at 113 St. Joseph Street.
Customs and Border Protection also has presence at the port. Federal arrests follow different procedures than city or county cases. Search federal inmates at bop.gov.
Legal Resources in Mobile
Several organizations offer legal help in Mobile.
Legal Services Alabama has a Mobile office at 104 St. Francis Street. Phone: (251) 433-6560. They help low-income residents with legal matters including expungement.
The Mobile Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (251) 433-9790. They can connect you with local attorneys.
Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660. Initial consultations cost up to $50.
Nearby Cities
Other major Alabama cities are located some distance from Mobile.
Search Mobile Jail Records
Use our search tool to find jail mugshots and arrest records for Mobile, Alabama.