Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer Inmate Search

1. Which Jefferson County jail could be holding them?

• Jefferson County Jail, Birmingham, 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203, 205-325-5670. Birmingham Division arrests on state charges are booked here.
• Jefferson County Jail, Bessemer, 1822 2nd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020, 205-481-4160. Bessemer Division (the "Bessemer Cutoff") arrests go here.
• Birmingham City Jail, 425 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, 205-254-6369, for some Birmingham police arrests.
• Homewood Jail, run by Homewood police, 205-332-6210.

People are sometimes moved between the two county jails, so if one says "not here," ask the other.

2. Which Jefferson County police department made the arrest?

Jefferson's cities include Birmingham, Hoover, Bessemer, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Fairfield, Center Point, Gardendale, Trussville, Leeds, Irondale, Tarrant, Pleasant Grove and Fultondale. Some non-emergency lines: - Jefferson County Sheriff's Office: 205-325-5700

In late 2023 the sheriff announced an agreement for the county jail to house some Birmingham police misdemeanor arrests. So a Birmingham city arrest might be at the city jail or at the county jail on Richard Arrington Boulevard.

3. Is there a Jefferson County roster I can search?

Jefferson County Inmate Search covers people in county custody at either county jail. City lockups in Birmingham and Homewood are checked by phone.

Write down the Jefferson booking number (often called a "Z number" or jail ID). You'll need it to post bond, add money or send mail.

4. Why isn't the Birmingham or Bessemer jail showing them yet?

Big-city booking can take many hours, especially on weekend nights. Prints, photos, a medical screen and warrant checks all come first. People held at a city jail won't appear on the county list.

Call the Birmingham county jail at 205-325-5670, then the Bessemer jail at 205-481-4160, then the city jail for the arresting police. Give the legal name and birth date, and ask if they were booked, released, hospitalized or transferred.

5. Could a Birmingham-area officer have released them with a ticket?

Many minor city charges and traffic offenses around Jefferson County end with a citation and a municipal court date instead of jail. That person won't be on any roster. If they miss the date, the city court can issue a warrant.

Felonies, DUI, domestic violence and cases where the person's identity is unclear lead to booking.

6. How soon does a Jefferson judge review the arrest?

Birmingham and Bessemer judges must confirm probable cause within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest. If that deadline passes, Jefferson must let the person out at the bottom of the bond schedule or on a signature, except for charges where bail may be denied.

Someone booked on a warrant who can't make bond sees a judge within 72 hours. For Jefferson domestic violence arrests, bail waits for a judge, but no more than 24 hours.

7. What is Pre-Trial Release in the Jefferson County jails?

Each county jail has a sheriff's Pre-Trial Release Office. It screens people for release on recognizance or signature bond, and helps families with bond questions when the person doesn't qualify. In 2023 the sheriff said signature and recognizance bonds are used for bonds up to $15,000, though eligibility depends on charge, record and judge. - Birmingham Pre-Trial Release: 205-325-5716 - Bessemer Pre-Trial Release: 205-481-8529

8. How does bail work in Jefferson County?

A Jefferson judge, magistrate or court officer sets the bond, from the Alabama schedule. The jail shows the amount on the booking record, but the signed court order controls if the two disagree. Under the schedule, a Class A misdemeanor such as third-degree assault runs $300 to $6,000.

Families can post full cash (returned after the case if court dates are kept), use a licensed bondsman (fee not refunded), pledge property, or ask about a signature bond. Aniah's Law allows bail to be denied after a hearing for listed violent crimes. Amendment 1 also lets judges hold someone without bail for attempted murder or for firing into an occupied car, home or other building. This rule has applied since May 19, 2026. Only a judge can lower a bond, after a lawyer's motion; jail staff can't change it. See the Jefferson bond guide.

9. Where do I pay a Birmingham or Bessemer bond?

Call Pre-Trial Release at the jail holding the person first. If told to pay the court: - Birmingham clerk: Jefferson County Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, 205-325-5355, weekdays 8:00 to 5:00 - Bessemer clerk: 1851 Second Avenue North, Bessemer, 205-497-8510, weekdays 8:00 to 5:00

Plan on a cashier's check or money order and ask about cash or cards before you go; personal checks are refused. Expect Alabama's add-on as well: 3.5% of the Jefferson bond, with a $100 misdemeanor or $150 felony floor, then $35 more. The Birmingham City Jail desk may take cash, money orders or cashier's checks for city bonds; write the name and ID on the memo line.

10. Which Jefferson courts handle the case?

Jefferson is the 10th Judicial Circuit. State felonies go to Circuit Court and misdemeanors and preliminary hearings to District Court, in the Birmingham courthouse or the Bessemer Justice Center. Each division has its own district attorney: Birmingham 205-325-5252, Bessemer 205-497-8610.

City charges go to municipal courts in Birmingham, Hoover, Homewood, Bessemer and the other cities. Municipal and District Court have no juries; judges decide. Our Jefferson criminal court guide lays out the steps.

11. Is there a public defender in Jefferson County?

Jefferson has one. The Jefferson County Public Defender's Office, 205-588-4220, handles cases in both divisions. A judge decides who qualifies, so the person should ask at the first hearing and the family can also ask the clerk.

Calls and video visits from the jails are recorded. Case details should only be shared with the lawyer.

12. How do I find the Jefferson charges and court date?

The roster may show charge codes. Ask the jail or check the Birmingham or Bessemer clerk's case lookup. Felonies in Alabama can lead to prison; misdemeanors cap at a year in a local jail. A missed court date can bring a new warrant and a lost bond, so confirm dates with the clerk.

13. Who handles medical care in the Jefferson jails?

Ask the holding jail's medical unit or shift supervisor for help: Birmingham 205-325-5670, Bessemer 205-481-4160. Give the diagnosis, medicines and pharmacy. Medical staff decide treatment, and emergencies go to a Birmingham hospital. If you fear self-harm, say so clearly.

14. How do visits work at the Birmingham and Bessemer jails?

The county jails offer booth visits through a clear shield and video visits. Video visits can be done remotely from home, or on screens inside the Jefferson jail. Visitors must register and be approved.

Homewood's jail sets its own on-site visiting times; call 205-332-6210. For the county jails, check online or call the jail for current visiting hours. Read our Jefferson visitation guide and remote video visit help.

15. How do calls, messages and money work in Jefferson County jails?

Outgoing calls use a prepaid account you set up and fund. International calls to Mexico or Canada have been about 8 cents a minute. Electronic messages and tablets may be available for a fee.

Two online services take deposits for the county jails, and lobby kiosks may also be offered. Jefferson guides: calling plans, deposits, e-messages, tablet use, store orders.

16. What about mail and property in Jefferson jails?

Jefferson letters need the inmate's whole name plus booking number, and never mail cash. Rules for photos and paper change, so check our Jefferson mail guide.

Property taken at booking is returned at discharge. Birmingham and Bessemer staff can say if a family member may pick up belongings early.

17. Posting bail: how soon do they come out?

After bond posts, release from a large Jefferson jail can take several hours. Call first and bring ID and a ride.

18. How does a move from the Birmingham jail to state prison happen?

The county jail holds short sentences; anything longer normally means state prison. At first, they wait in the Birmingham jail until ADOC sends for them. When space opens, they go to an intake or reception unit to be processed. At intake, officers review their medical and mental health, custody level and any gang ties. Their last step is a prison that suits those results.

Use the state inmate search to find them. For prison details, read Alabama prison pages.

19. How can I check for a Jefferson County warrant?

Jefferson's sheriff answers 205-325-5700; also try the police in the city where the warrant may be. A Birmingham defense lawyer can set up a turn-in at the correct Jefferson jail, often with bond arranged.

Reach the county jail by phone at 205-325-5670 to schedule a surrender, in a building at 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 where bail can follow booking.

20. What happens if a Jefferson County teenager is detained?

Minors go to the county youth detention center, 140 Second Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204, 205-325-5437. Youth cases go to Jefferson County Family Court, 205-325-5491.

Juvenile probation intake screens each complaint and decides between release to a parent, informal handling, or a petition. A detention hearing must be held within 72 hours. Some older teens facing very serious charges are tried as adults.

21. Federal charges in Jefferson County: who acts and where it goes

Federal agents from teams from Homeland Security Investigations or the DEA make federal arrests. U.S. cases out of Jefferson County land in the Northern District, Southern Division; the court sits in Birmingham: Hugo L. Black U.S. Courthouse, 1729 5th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203, 205-278-1700. An initial court date is held fast, before a magistrate judge. The judge gets a report from a pretrial officer on ties to the area. Federal court doesn't have a bail price list. A judge decides detention or release at a short hearing following the federal Bail Reform Act.

Search Jefferson County Inmate Search; there U.S. Marshals custody may show. While it's open, the Marshals usually keep them in a county jail. If not, call the Northern District's Marshals Service at 205-829-6611 (1729 5th Avenue North, Room 240, Birmingham, AL 35203). Once there is a federal sentence, they go to a BOP prison. Locate them through the BOP locator by register number.

22. What happens when ICE puts a detainer on someone in the Birmingham jail?

• At booking, fingerprints go to U.S. records. Then ICE might file a detainer.
• Making bail will not end the ICE hold.
• The detainer asks jail staff to keep the inmate no longer than 48 hours after when they'd be freed. Days off are not skipped; the window is still 48 hours.
• Immigration officers usually collect them in person within that window. If the window passes, the jail has to release them.
• Their next facility depends on ICE.
• ICE's detainee locator looks up people using an A-number and country of birth. Don't know the A-number? You can still search with their full name, birth country and birth date.
• For questions, contact ICE's New Orleans field office, which covers Alabama: 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360.

23. Are there Jefferson County mugshots I can look up?

Yes. Jefferson County mugshots appear in the Jefferson jail search, next to each name. Both Jefferson jails hold the original booking photos: Birmingham on 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203, Bessemer on 1822 2nd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020. Some Jefferson entries load the photo slowly.

An ICE booking photo is released after an ICE records request that ICE approves. A reporter can request an unposted booking photo from the sheriff's office at 205-325-5700. Families and the media can't obtain federal booking photos. The policy is strict: the Marshals release a photo only to find someone who escaped, when it is needed immediately for community safety, or when sharing it may help make an arrest or alert the public.

24. A caller says they're from the Jefferson jail and need payment by gift card. Is that real?

That's a scam. No Jefferson jail or court takes bail by gift card, wire or payment app over the phone. Hang up and dial the jail yourself: 205-325-5670 or 205-481-4160. Pay only at the clerk, through Pre-Trial Release's instructions, through the official deposit service, or to a bondsman you found yourself.

25. Who should I call before heading to a Jefferson County jail?

Call the jail first: Birmingham county jail 205-325-5670, Bessemer county jail 205-481-4160, Birmingham City Jail 205-254-6369, or Homewood Jail 205-332-6210. For court dates, call the Birmingham clerk at 205-325-5355 or the Bessemer clerk at 205-497-8510.