Crenshaw County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

The sheriff's office answers at either 334-335-4850 or 334-335-6568.

City cases go to municipal court, and county cases go to the circuit clerk at 334-335-6575.

The clerk's office keeps the signed order if you need paper proof. When the two figures disagree, go with the clerk's order.

Cash bail goes to the clerk, not to a deputy. The clerk is at the Crenshaw County Courthouse, 29 South Glenwood Avenue, Suite 206, and the office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Ask whether the jail can take full cash bail after hours; phone 334-335-3860 about evenings and weekends before you go.

Plan on a certified check, money order, or cashier's check, and leave your personal checkbook at home, since it is usually refused. Cards depend on the court and the size of the bond. Because the clerk decides, ask 334-335-6575 which form to bring. Carry a photo ID.

Paying the whole bond yourself avoids one. Licensed agents keep their fee, and some want a deed or other collateral too. The jail or court can hand you a list of approved companies but may not pick one. Be wary of any agent who calls you for cash without the arrested person's say. The bail page explains the steps.

Alabama law requires the owner to be an Alabama resident with real estate in Alabama and enough equity to cover the bond. State law doesn't require Crenshaw land, though the judge has to approve the property. The directory warns that mobile homes are refused, extra court fees apply, and getting a deed back takes time. All deed owners may have to sign.

Separate charges may have separate bonds, and new cases can surface after booking. Ask the jail to name every charge, then ask the clerk if the judge has combined or changed them. Paying one bond will not free someone who still has another.

A judge, after the person's lawyer files a request. The sheriff cannot change the figure. For a court-appointed lawyer, ask the clerk at 334-335-6575 how to apply, and the judge makes the appointment after the person swears they cannot pay.

Crenshaw County uses the state guide rather than its own list. The state guide in Rule 7.2 shows Class A misdemeanors at $300 to $6,000, Class D felonies at $1,000 to $10,000, and Class B felonies at $5,000 to $30,000. These are guides only. The judge may go higher or lower based on the facts.

People charged with capital murder may be denied when the proof is strong. After an Aniah's Law hearing, a judge can order no bail on some violent charges; the May 2026 vote added attempted murder and firing into occupied buildings or cars. Paying bond won't free someone with a probation hold, an outside warrant or a federal detainer.

Expect a new warrant and possible loss of the bond. Look up the case on the Crenshaw County docket search, then call the clerk. Hire or contact a lawyer right away.

Youth cases stay off the adult search because they are private. Ask the Luverne jail at 334-335-3860 and the circuit clerk at 334-335-6575 for the youth's location and court date. Parents or guardians should bring photo ID.

Once the case closes, the court usually gives back cash bonds less ordered fines, fees or restitution. The bond company's fee is never returned. Property bonds carry their own court fees. Save all receipts and get a written total from the clerk first.

Do not trust a text or social media post that promises release for money. Hang up and phone the jail at 334-335-3860 or the clerk at 334-335-6575. Legitimate bonding companies work with the arrested person, not around them.

Luverne, the county seat, has the jail, the courthouse and the sheriff's office. Here is who does what:

• Circuit and District Court clerk: Crenshaw County Courthouse, 29 South Glenwood Avenue, Suite 206, Luverne, AL 36049 · 334-335-6575
• Luverne Municipal Court: City Hall, 22 East Fifth Street, Luverne · 334-335-3741; sessions are monthly at the county courthouse (no December court)
• Brantley Municipal Court: Town Hall, 10 M.L. King Avenue, Brantley · 334-527-8624, option 3
• Dozier and other towns: the circuit clerk knows where each case is filed

Crenshaw arrests are booked into the Crenshaw County Jail, 186 Justice Avenue, Luverne, AL 36049 · 334-335-3860. Sheriff Terry Mears's office is at 100 East 4th Street; call either 334-335-4850 or 334-335-6568.

Alabama assigns each charge a range, but a Luverne judge may pick a higher or lower figure. Typical amounts:

• City ordinance: $300 to $1,000
• Class C misdemeanor: $300 to $1,000
• Class B misdemeanor: $300 to $3,000
• Class A misdemeanor: $300 to $6,000
• DUI: $1,000 to $7,500
• Class D felony: $1,000 to $10,000
• Class B felony: $5,000 to $30,000
• Class A felony: $10,000 to $60,000
• Trafficking: $5,000 to $1,500,000
• Amendment 1 (May 19, 2026): Alabama voters gave judges power to deny bail on charges of attempted murder or of firing into a building or vehicle with someone inside

Each range is spelled out in the Alabama Rule 7.2 bail schedule (https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr7_2.pdf).

State bond charts drop out. The case belongs to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, with court at the federal courthouse in Montgomery, One Church Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334-954-3600. In most cases:

• The person is arrested by a federal agency or moved from the Luverne jail.
• A magistrate judge presides over the first appearance.
• A pretrial officer reviews background and ties to the area.
• The U.S. Attorney can ask that the person stay in custody.
• Release, if granted, depends on meeting rules instead of posting money.

The U.S. Marshals hold the person until the case ends: U.S. Marshals Service, 1 Church Street, Suite A-100, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334-922-6960.

You pay nothing to use these:

• BOP: the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/) covers people in federal custody after sentencing. Before that, check 334-922-6960.
• ADOC: the Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search (https://www.doc.alabama.gov/inmate/inmate-search/) searches state prisons using a name or AIS number.
• County: Crenshaw County Inmate Search shows the Luverne jail list.

More is on our Crenshaw inmate search page.

Just briefly. With a detainer, ICE can ask the jail for at most two business days of custody beyond the release time. The county bond still must be satisfied.

The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 covers Crenshaw. Alabama jails ICE uses for short holds:

• Baldwin County Correctional Center, Bay Minette, Alabama
• Etowah County Jail, Gadsden, Alabama
• Pickens County Detention Center, Carrollton, Alabama

People kept longer often go out of state. Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/) with an A-number and country of birth.

VINE tells you the facility and custody status:

• Go to VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/) and pick Alabama as the state.
• Put in a name or booking number.
• Open the correct match to find the location.
• Enroll a phone or email for alerts on moves and release.

Check these official sites:

• Alacourt: Alacourt Access public search (https://pa.alacourt.com/). Choose Crenshaw; a $9.99 name search covers one case.
• Clerk site: crenshaw.alacourt.gov gives the clerk's office details.
• Sheriff: 334-335-4850 to ask about a warrant.

Arranging a surrender through a lawyer usually beats a surprise arrest.

Bond terms change, so check with:

• The town court for a city charge, at the numbers given above.
• The circuit clerk, 334-335-6575, for court orders and dates.
• The Crenshaw County Jail, 334-335-3860, for the bond on file and whether it can be posted now.