Search Covington County Mugshots

Covington County jail mugshots are maintained by the Covington County Sheriff's Office in Andalusia. The sheriff's office has a website but does not currently offer a full online jail roster. To get mugshot information, you need to contact the office directly or check their social media pages for recent arrest posts.

Covington County Sheriff Jail Records

The Covington County Sheriff's Office maintains all jail records for the county. While the office has a website at covingtoncountysheriff.com, there is no searchable online jail roster. You need to contact them directly to find out about current inmates or get mugshot copies.

The sheriff's office is located at 1 Court Square in Andalusia. You can call them at (334) 428-2640. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody, what charges they face, and how much bond is set at. For copies of mugshots, you may need to visit in person.

Some Alabama sheriff's offices post arrest information on Facebook or other social media. Check the Covington County Sheriff's Office social media pages for recent arrest announcements. These posts often include mugshots and basic charge information. However, social media only shows recent arrests, not a complete roster.

Under Alabama law, jail records are public records. The sheriff's office must make them available for inspection during regular business hours. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 guarantees your right to access these records.

How to Get Mugshots in Covington County

There are several ways to search for jail mugshots in Covington County. Each method has pros and cons depending on what you need.

Calling the sheriff's office is the fastest way to check custody status. Dial (334) 428-2640 and ask about the person by name. Have their date of birth ready if you know it. Staff can confirm if they are in jail and tell you the charges. They can also tell you bond amounts and upcoming court dates.

Visiting in person is best when you need actual mugshot copies. Go to the sheriff's office at 1 Court Square in Andalusia during business hours. Bring ID and ask to see booking records. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, you have the right to inspect public records. If you want paper copies, there will be a small fee per page.

Check social media for recent arrests. The sheriff's office may post arrest information on Facebook with mugshots. This works for recent arrests but is not reliable for finding everyone in custody. Posts may not include all arrests, and older posts get buried over time.

For formal background checks, contact ALEA. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains statewide criminal history records. The fee is $25 by mail or $15 online. Call 334-676-7897 for more details. This is useful when you need records going back years or from multiple counties.

Covington County Jail Information

The Covington County Jail is in Andalusia, the county seat. The jail processes all arrests made in Covington County. This includes arrests by the sheriff's office and by municipal police departments in Andalusia, Opp, Red Level, and other towns.

When someone is arrested, they are transported to the jail for booking. The booking process includes taking the mugshot photo. Staff also record the person's name, date of birth, physical description, and charges. Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires the sheriff to keep a log of all prisoners with this information.

Covington County is its own judicial circuit, the 22nd. The circuit court handles felony cases. Municipal courts in the various towns handle misdemeanors and traffic violations. All criminal arrests still go through the county jail for booking regardless of which court will hear the case.

The jail holds inmates awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or waiting transfer to state prison. People convicted of longer sentences eventually move to Alabama Department of Corrections facilities. But their Covington County booking record and mugshot stay on file locally.

What Covington County Mugshots Show

When someone is booked into Covington County Jail, the record includes the mugshot photo plus several other pieces of information.

Covington County booking records typically include:

• Full legal name and aliases
• Date of birth and current age
• Physical description including height and weight
• Race, sex, eye color, and hair color
• Booking number and date of arrest
• All charges at time of booking
• Bond amount if set by the court
• Arresting agency and officer

The mugshot is a front-facing photo taken during the booking process. It shows the person from the shoulders up. The photo serves as identification and becomes part of the permanent arrest record.

Some personal information is kept private. Home addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical details are not released to the public. The basic booking information and mugshot, however, are public records anyone can request under Alabama law.

Alabama Laws on Jail Records

Alabama law makes jail mugshots and booking records public. Several state statutes govern how these records are kept and made available.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 establishes the Open Records Act. Every Alabama citizen has the right to inspect and copy public records. Jail mugshots are public records. You do not have to explain why you want them. The sheriff's office must make records available during normal business hours.

Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires the sheriff to keep a prisoner record book. This book must show each inmate's name, age, sex, race, and distinguishing marks. It also records charges and dates of commitment and release. The law says this book must be open for public inspection.

Alabama Code Section 14-6-1 puts the sheriff in charge of the county jail and all inmates. The Covington County Sheriff has legal custody and responsibility for maintaining proper records. This includes booking records and mugshots.

Alabama allows expungement in some cases. Under Alabama Code Sections 15-27-1 and 15-27-2, certain records can be expunged if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. The filing fee is $500, though fee waivers are available for those who qualify financially.

Cities in Covington County

Covington County has several cities and towns. All arrests in the county are processed through the Covington County Jail in Andalusia.

Andalusia is the county seat and largest city. It has its own police department that handles law enforcement within city limits. The Andalusia Police Department books arrestees into the county jail.

Opp is another city in Covington County with its own police force. Located about 15 miles from Andalusia, Opp Police also transport arrestees to the county jail for booking.

Red Level and Florala are smaller towns in the county. They may have limited local law enforcement, so the sheriff's office often handles calls in these areas. All arrests go to the county jail in Andalusia.

The sheriff's office patrols unincorporated areas and provides backup for municipal police departments when needed. No matter which agency makes an arrest, all bookings happen at the county jail.

Nearby Counties

Covington County borders several other Alabama counties. If you cannot find someone in the Covington County jail, they may have been arrested in a neighboring county.

Search Covington County Jail Records

Use our search tool to find jail mugshots and arrest records in Covington County, Alabama.