Located in southwest Alabama, Mobile County is home to over 414,000 residents. It is the second-largest county in the state, making up about 8.28% of Alabama's population. The county's economy is anchored by a diverse set of industries, including aviation, shipbuilding, chemicals, and more. Main cities and towns include Mobile (the county seat), Bayou La Batre, Chickasaw, Saraland, Satsuma, and Prichard.
Mobile County's average violent and property crime rates are 548.3 and 4,014.3 per 100,000 residents, respectively. Violent crime is 52.6% higher than the national average, while property crime is more than 111% higher.
Law enforcement in the county is led by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and serves as the primary public contact for law enforcement matters. Violent crime is 52.6% higher than the national average, while property crime is more than 111% higher.
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests, jail bookings, inmate releases, and most county-level warrants. Other law enforcement groups, such as city police, state troopers, and federal agents, can also make arrests and file reports. These records are usually sent to the Sheriff's Office once the person is placed in the county jail.
Mobile County has several law enforcement agencies. These include the county sheriff, city police departments, state police, federal agencies, university police, and constables.
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office is the primary source for county arrest logs and jail records. It manages:
Local police departments in Mobile County, including those in the City of Mobile and Prichard, make arrests. Most individuals are booked into the county jail, and the Sheriff's Office keeps their records. City police handle arrests within their city limits and maintain their own arrest and incident reports.
The Alabama Highway Patrol and state police conduct traffic stops and investigate crimes across jurisdictions. If arrests occur in Mobile County, suspects are usually booked into the county jail, and their records may appear in the county's logs.
Federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security investigate and arrest for federal crimes. These include terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration issues, and cybercrime. Federal arrests usually do not appear in county records unless the person is held in the county jail.
Campus police in Mobile County handle incidents on university property. Arrests made on campus are generally processed through the county jail. Examples include the University of South Alabama Police Department and the University of Mobile Department of Public Safety.
The Mobile County constable's office is responsible for maintaining order, apprehending suspects, making arrests, serving subpoenas, and executing warrants. Alabama law places constables alongside other law enforcement agencies with defined duties.
Arrest records in Mobile County typically contain the following details:
Note that the details in arrest records can differ based on the agency, jurisdiction, and type of case. Certain information may be restricted due to privacy rules, protections for minors, or ongoing investigations.
Every year, Mobile County records around 24,400 violent crimes and 44,748 property crimes. The violent crime rate is 548.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 52.6% higher than the national average. The property crime rate is 4,014.3 per 100,000 residents, more than 111% above the national average.
The table below shows a breakdown of arrest statistics in Mobile County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 265 |
Adult Arrests | 3,080 |
Juvenile Arrests | 510 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 139 |
Sex Offenses | 78 |
Robbery | 271 |
Assault | 2,900 |
Burglary | 636 |
Larceny | 1111 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 333 |
Arson | 10 |
Source: Alabama Department of Law Enforcement
Public arrest records in Mobile County can include information about different warrant types that may be issued by courts. A warrant grants law enforcement legal authority to arrest an individual or take other legally authorized action. Note that the terms used to describe various warrant types and the specifics of each type may differ from one jurisdiction to another. The most common warrant types in Mobile County include the following:
An arrest warrant is issued when there is sufficient evidence to suggest that someone committed a crime. Once signed by a judge, an arrest warrant allows law enforcement to locate and arrest the individual suspected of having committed a crime. Arrest warrants typically show up in arrest and booking records.
A bench warrant is issued by the court when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled hearing or does not comply with a court directive. Bench warrants may lead to arrest even for minor offenses.
Civil capias warrants arise from civil proceedings, such as lawsuits or child support cases, when a person fails to obey a judge's order.
When a person wanted in another jurisdiction is found in Mobile County, a fugitive warrant enables local authorities to detain them. These cases often lead to extradition and are reflected in both arrest records and court filings.
Signed by the governor, a governor's warrant is used to authorize the return of a wanted individual to another state. While not as common, governor's warrants appear in records related to out-of-state criminal matters.
Although not arrest-related, a search warrant allows law enforcement to enter a location or property to find specific evidence. Arrests sometimes follow, which may cause search warrant details to be found in case summaries and arrest reports.
Mobile County arrest and jail records can be accessed in different ways. You can start by using the county's inmate search or jail roster to see current bookings and inmate status. You can also check warrants through the sheriff's office or county, or use the Alabama state court portal to find court cases linked to arrests. Some services let you sign up for alerts on inmate releases or court updates.
Records may also be requested directly from the sheriff's office, jail, or clerk of court by visiting in person, calling, or sending an email. If necessary, you can file a formal public records request under Alabama law, though this may require a fee and valid identification.
The following are jail and detention facilities in Mobile County:
Agency Name: Mobile County Sheriff's Office
City: Mobile, Alabama
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 510 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL - 36603
Phone Number: 251-574-2423 (Front Desk), (251) 574-4734 (Non-emergency)
Staffing: The Mobile County Sheriff's Office employs over 600 personnel.
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
City of Mobile Police Department | 2460 Government Blvd, Mobile, AL 36606 | (251) 208-1700 |
Prichard Police Department | 216 East Prichard Avenue, Prichard, AL 36610 | (251) 452-7800 |
Agency Name: Mobile County Metro Jail
State: Alabama
City: Mobile
Type: County detention facility
Address: 201 S. Conception Street, Mobile, AL 36601
Phone Number: (855) 208-7349
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Mobile Community-Based Facility | 2424 N Beltline Hwy, Mobile, AL 36617 | (251) 452-0098 |
Mobile Community Correction Center | 111 Canal Street, Mobile, AL 36603 | (251) 574-3295 |
James T. Strickland Youth Center | 2315 Coastarides Street, Mobile, AL 36617 | (251) 574-1450 |