Limestone County Jail
Limestone County Jail
Physical Address
101 West Elm StreetAthens, AL 35611
Jail Phone Number
256-232-0111Limestone County Inmate Search and Arrest Help
When someone is arrested in Athens, Ardmore, Elkmont, Lester, Mooresville, Tanner or the Limestone side of Huntsville and Madison, this page helps you find them and take the next steps. Adults are booked into the Limestone County Jail, 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, a 336-bed jail sharing its address with the sheriff’s office.
Start with the sheriff’s inmate lookup and type the last name. It lists people held on Elm Street right now. Fingerprints, a mugshot, a property count, a medical check and a warrant search all happen before a new name appears, so the newest bookings trail behind by a few hours.
No match yet, or need more detail? Phone the Elm Street jailers at 256-232-0111 around the clock with the full name and birthday. Ask about charges, bond and visiting. Getting out is covered on our Limestone bail help page, and our court guide names the Athens courtroom for each kind of case.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. How do I search the Limestone County jail list?
Open the sheriff’s inmate lookup and type a surname; a few letters work when the spelling is uncertain. The results show who is held on Elm Street at this moment, usually with the booking date and the charges.
Copy down the booking number, since Elm Street asks for it with money deposits, mail, phone accounts and any call to the jail. If two people share the name, compare the age or birth date before you act. Questions about a listing go to the jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111. Jailers can confirm that the person is still in custody.
↑ Back to the question list2. Why hasn’t a new Elm Street booking appeared?
Intake on Elm Street is slow on purpose. Each new arrival on Elm Street is fingerprinted, photographed, searched for warrants, checked by medical staff and has belongings counted, and only then does the record go online. Busy weekends along I-65 slow the whole line.
Wait a few hours and search again. Still nothing on the list? Call 256-232-0111. Read the name off their ID letter by letter, then the birthday. Ask whether Athens staff booked and released them, sent them to a hospital, or are holding them for Tennessee or Madison County.
↑ Back to the question list3. What kind of jail sits on West Elm Street?
The Limestone County Jail is a 336-bed jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, in the same building as the sheriff’s office. The main number, 256-232-0111, reaches both.
Men and women are held there. Some await a first hearing, others await trial, and others serve county sentences, since misdemeanor terms of twelve months or less stay local. People arrested by Athens police and the small towns also come here. Do not mix it up with Limestone Correctional Facility near Harvest, which is an ADOC prison for people already sentenced to state time.
↑ Back to the question list4. Could they be held somewhere other than Athens?
Yes. A few situations send people elsewhere:
- Children under 18 go to the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center, 2216 Missouri Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, 256-381-3520.
- Someone arrested on another county’s warrant can be moved there, or held here for that county.
- People with state prison sentences move into ADOC prisons after a bed opens.
- Federal and ICE prisoners go where those agencies choose.
If the sheriff’s lookup comes up empty, the last answer on this page lists neighboring jails and police departments to try. A hospital stay after arrest can also explain a missing name.
↑ Back to the question list5. Can I see Limestone County mugshots?
Yes. The sheriff’s online inmate list shows mugshots for people booked right now. Pictures on the Limestone list sometimes load a little late.
Media requests for older booking photos go to the sheriff’s office at 256-232-0111. Mugshots taken by ICE come out only through an ICE FOIA request that ICE approves. Federal agencies rarely release a mugshot to the public. Federal marshals hand one out only in narrow cases: an escape, an urgent danger to the public, or a photo that may help track someone down.
↑ Back to the question list6. What if an Athens officer only wrote a ticket?
Many small offenses never lead to a booking. Athens officers and deputies can write a citation for minor charges and traffic violations with a court date printed on it. Those people go home and never appear on the Elm Street list.
Keep the ticket safe, since it lists where and when to appear. Skipping court can change a small ticket into an arrest warrant. Arrests for DUI, felonies and family violence normally do mean booking. To check a citation date, call the Athens Municipal Court at 951 East Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-8733, or the circuit clerk at 256-216-3865 for county tickets.
↑ Back to the question list7. How soon must a judge look at a Limestone arrest?
Alabama runs on firm clocks. For warrantless arrests, a judge or magistrate gets two days, 48 hours, for a probable-cause ruling. If that deadline passes with no ruling, the person may leave on the smallest scheduled bond or a signature bond, though not on a no-bail Aniah’s Law or capital charge.
Anyone booked on a warrant and short of bond money sees a judge inside 72 hours. A domestic violence arrest can leave bond unset for one full day, 24 hours at most, while a judge reviews it. Ask the jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111, when the first hearing is set.
↑ Back to the question list8. What does bail look like after an Elm Street booking?
The warrant usually lists a bond taken from Alabama’s schedule, and Athens judges can raise or lower it. As examples, the schedule puts a Class B misdemeanor between $300 and $3,000 and a Class A felony, such as first-degree robbery, between $10,000 and $60,000.
Choices include posting the whole amount in cash, refunded once every hearing is attended, pay a bondsman a fee that is not returned, pledge land, or ask the judge for a signature bond. Some violent charges can lead to an Aniah’s Law hearing where bail is refused, and since May 19, 2026 that list includes attempted murder, plus shots into an Athens-area house or car while someone is inside. Our bond steps page covers each option.
↑ Back to the question list9. Where is bond paid, and when does the clerk close?
Ask the jail first who should take the payment, because some bonds are handled on Elm Street and others at the courthouse. The circuit clerk is in the Limestone County Courthouse, 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865.
The clerk’s counter is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, but it shuts from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch, so do not arrive at 12:15. Bring photo ID, the booking number and the payment the office asked for. A cashier’s check or money order is safest. A bondsman’s fee is paid to the bondsman, apart from anything paid to the court.
↑ Back to the question list10. Which Athens courtroom has the case?
State cases go to the courthouse on the Athens square. District Court gets misdemeanors, traffic files and the first felony hearings. Indicted felonies move on to Circuit Court. The District Attorney for the 39th Judicial Circuit, 256-233-6416, prosecutes them.
City charges stay in city courts. Athens Municipal Court is at 951 East Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-8733, and Ardmore Municipal Court is at 26494 First Street, Ardmore, AL 35739, 256-423-3011. Huntsville and Madison officers working in the county send charges to their own city courts. Our Limestone case guide walks through each stage.
↑ Back to the question list11. Where can I read the exact charges?
Online lists often shorten charge names until they are hard to read. Ask the jail or the courthouse clerk to read the full charges to you, and write down the case number while you are on the phone.
In Alabama, a felony can lead to state prison, while misdemeanor time is twelve months or less, served in the county. The clerk at 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611 lets you look at files in person for free during open hours. You can also call 256-216-3865. Records on the paid Alacourt service cost money for each search. Ask the defense lawyer what each charge means for the case.
↑ Back to the question list12. How does someone in the Athens jail get a lawyer?
At the opening court date, the defendant can request appointed counsel. If the judge agrees the cost is out of reach, counsel is assigned at no charge. A sworn statement about pay, debts and dependents comes first, and Rule 6.3 allows a second look when finances shift.
Statewide oversight for appointed counsel sits with the Office of Indigent Defense Services, 100 North Union Street, Suite 680, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334-242-7059. Keep in mind that calls and video visits from Elm Street are recorded. Facts about the case should be shared only with the defense lawyer.
↑ Back to the question list13. How do video visits at the Athens jail work?
Visits at the Limestone County Jail happen by video, and each one lasts 25 minutes. From home, they cost twenty cents a minute, and there is no daily limit. You can also come to the jail and use the video stations on site. Every visitor must sign up and be approved before the first visit.
Hours change from time to time, so call 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111, for this week’s schedule. Read our visitation guide for the sign-up rules and our remote visit tips for help with the home video app.
↑ Back to the question list14. How do I add money or phone time for an inmate?
Calls out of Elm Street run on a prepaid account. Commissary, call and message funds go in over the internet, by a toll-free number, or at a jail lobby kiosk when it is working. Each method adds a small fee.
Have the booking number ready. Money in these accounts is for daily needs and never counts toward bond. If a deposit seems lost or a balance looks wrong, keep the receipt and call the jail at 256-232-0111.
↑ Back to the question list15. Where should letters to the Athens jail go?
Family letters travel through a mail center in Decatur instead of Elm Street. JailATM, the service the sheriff’s office names for inmate mail, wants each envelope set up like this:
- Line 1: the inmate’s full name and inmate number
- Line 2: JailATM – Limestone County Jail
- Line 3: 1605 Beltline Rd SW D8 #244
- Line 4: Decatur, AL 35601
Magazines and other subscriptions go to the jail itself: inmate’s full name and number, Limestone County Jail, 101 West Elm Street, PO Box 889, Athens, AL 35611. Never mail cash or personal checks. Read our mail guide before you send photos. Questions about mail rules go to 256-232-0111.
↑ Back to the question list16. How can family collect property from Elm Street?
Clothes, wallets, phones and keys are bagged at booking and handed back at release. If a relative needs something sooner, such as a truck key or a phone, ask Elm Street whether the person can sign it over for early pickup.
Call 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111, before you go. Ask which items can be released, whether the inmate has to sign anything first, and what ID you need to bring. Items taken as evidence are separate and are not handed out by the property desk. Keep your own ID and the booking number with you.
↑ Back to the question list17. Who should hear about a medical worry inside the jail?
Call the jail at 256-232-0111 and ask for the shift supervisor, who takes medical concerns. Explain the condition, list each prescription, and give the name of the pharmacy that fills them. Jail medical staff decide on care, and emergencies are sent to a hospital in Athens.
Fear that the person could attempt suicide belongs at the very start of that call. Jot down the staff member’s name and the time, and keep the pharmacy’s phone number handy in case staff need to confirm a prescription.
↑ Back to the question list18. Is a Limestone County warrant out for them?
Call the sheriff’s office at 256-232-0111 about county warrants, and Athens police at 256-233-8707 about city warrants. Online court records on Alacourt Access may show a related case, but they do not clear a warrant. A planned turn-in goes to the jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, where booking staff explain the bond amount. Walking in with a lawyer and bond arranged is safer than a surprise arrest. Bring photo ID, any paperwork you received and a list of current medications.
↑ Back to the question list19. How is a federal prisoner from Limestone located?
Federal agents, such as the FBI or DEA, make most federal arrests, sometimes with deputies. Cases go to the federal courthouse in Huntsville, 660 Gallatin Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-534-6495. The first hearing comes quickly in front of a U.S. magistrate, and a detention hearing, not a bail chart, settles release.
During a pending case, the Marshals frequently place federal prisoners in county jails, so try the sheriff’s lookup first. The Marshals keep federal custody records at 1729 5th Avenue North, Room 240, Birmingham, AL 35203, 205-829-6611. After a federal prison sentence, use the BOP locator.
↑ Back to the question list20. What should I know about an ICE hold in Athens?
- Fingerprints taken at booking are checked in national databases that ICE reviews, and ICE may then send a detainer to the jail.
- A paid county bond does not end the ICE hold.
- Elm Street is asked to hold the person as long as 48 hours after their usual release, and Saturdays and Sundays count.
- ICE officers often pick the person up at the jail. If they never come, staff should release them.
- For the ICE locator, enter the A-number with the country of birth. Without the A-number, try the legal name, date of birth and birth country.
- Location questions can go to ICE’s New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360.
21. Where does an Athens prison sentence lead?
A sentence longer than twelve months puts the person in ADOC custody. Most sit on Elm Street until a state bed frees up, then ride to an intake center for classification. There, ADOC reviews health and mental health, any gang connection and how much security is needed. After that, they move to the prison that fits.
Search the ADOC online search by name or AIS number to see where they are. Limestone Correctional Facility, 28779 Nick Davis Road, Harvest, AL 35749, 256-233-4600, is one state prison in the county. Our Alabama prison pages cover each facility.
↑ Back to the question list22. What if a Limestone teen is arrested?
Records about minors are private, but the sheriff’s line, 256-232-0111, can tell a parent where a child is. The county reserves three beds for its youths at the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center, 2216 Missouri Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, 256-381-3520. The county commission raised that number from two to three in 2025.
Juvenile Probation, 1109 West Market Street, Suites D and E, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-6425, chooses between sending the child home to family, an informal plan, or a formal petition. A detained youth must see the juvenile judge within three days, and older teens charged with the most serious crimes may be tried as adults.
↑ Back to the question list23. Is a call demanding gift cards for bail real?
No. It is a scam. Nobody pays Athens bail by buying gift cards, wiring money or sending app payments to a caller. Real jail staff do not threaten families or demand money within minutes.
End the call, then dial Elm Street on your own at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111. Pay only the courthouse clerk, the jail’s own approved deposit service, or a bondsman you checked on your own. Athens police dispatch, 256-233-8700, can take a report if money was already sent.
↑ Back to the question list24. Which police arrested them, and what other jails are close?
The arresting agency decides the court and sometimes the jail. Athens Police Department can be reached at 256-233-8700 for dispatch. The sheriff’s office at 256-232-0111 covers rural areas and can tell you which officer made an arrest in Ardmore, Elkmont, Lester or another town. Huntsville and Madison police handle the parts of those cities inside the county.
If the Athens jail does not have the person, try these neighboring jails:
- Madison County Detention Facility, 815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-519-4800
- Morgan County Jail, 119 Lee Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601, 256-351-4825
- Lauderdale County Jail, 563 South Seminary Street, Florence, AL 35630, 256-760-5771
- Lawrence County Jail, 242 Parker Road, Moulton, AL 35650, 256-974-2550
Limestone County Bail and Bond Help
Bond after an arrest in Athens, Ardmore, Elkmont, Lester or the rural roads between them works like this. Grown-ups arrested anywhere in Limestone County land at the Limestone County Jail, 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, in the same Elm Street building as the sheriff’s office. Bond types, clerk hours, no-bond charges, refunds and outside holds are all covered further down.
Before any money moves, confirm the arrest. Put the last name into the sheriff’s custody search. Our Inmate Search page covers more: who sits in the Elm Street jail tonight, mugshots, fresh arrests, charges, warrants and property pickup. Brand-new bookings lag behind on that list, so give it an hour and look again.
Your first phone call goes to the Elm Street jailers at 256-232-0111, any hour. Give the full name and birthday, and then cover four points: every charge, the bond for each, any outside hold, and where payment is made. Our Limestone court guide tells you which courtroom has the file and why the next hearing matters.
1. Who puts a bond on a Limestone County arrest?
A judge or a magistrate does, and for many arrests the figure is already typed onto the warrant before booking. Alabama Rule 4.3 lets lots of people bond out on that preset number without sitting through a hearing. Somebody jailed with no warrant at all is owed a probable-cause ruling inside 48 hours. A person jailed on Elm Street warrant paperwork who lacks the bond money is owed a trip before an Athens judge within 72 hours.
Charges of domestic violence follow their own clock. Bond in those cases can stay blank for a full day, up to 24 hours, waiting on a judge. Ask the Elm Street desk what has been set so far: 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111.
↑ Back to the question list2. Which bond types might the Athens judge allow?
The release order on each Athens case spells out which of these Alabama options are open:
- Cash: you pay the court the full figure, and it is paid back once the case closes, less any money owed.
- Surety: a licensed north Alabama bondsman covers the bond, and the fee you pay that bondsman is never returned.
- Property: a deed to land or a house stands in for cash.
- Signature: the defendant signs a pledge to show up, and nothing is paid that day.
Conditions ride along with every bond, such as keeping away from an alleged victim, and money never erases them. For the statewide picture, open our plain guide to Alabama bail law.
↑ Back to the question list3. What dollar ranges does Rule 7.2 recommend?
Alabama’s Rule 7.2 lists recommended spans by charge class. Athens judges may climb above or drop below them after weighing safety, past record and roots in north Alabama.
- 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 C felony: $2,500 to $15,000
- Class B felony: $5,000 to $30,000
- Class A felony: $10,000 to $60,000
- Drug manufacturing or trafficking: $5,000 to $1,500,000
See the complete Rule 7.2 bail schedule. Trust the number printed on your own person’s order over any chart.
↑ Back to the question list4. How is bond posted at the Elm Street jail?
Start with the jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611. Its jailers take care of bonds after dark and through the weekend. Phone 256-232-0111 before the drive so the total and the accepted payment are settled.
- Get a bond figure for each separate charge.
- Find out if a hold has been placed by a different county, a city or federal officers.
- Learn whether this particular bond is handled at Elm Street or at the courthouse clerk.
- Carry your photo ID, the booking number and the approved form of payment.
- Tuck every receipt and signed form into one folder.
Funds dropped into a commissary account never count toward a bond.
↑ Back to the question list5. What hours does the Athens circuit clerk keep?
The circuit clerk sits inside the Limestone County Courthouse on the Athens square, 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611. Doors open 8:00 a.m. and close 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a lunch shutdown from noon until 1:00 p.m. each day. Showing up at 12:15 means standing on the courthouse steps for most of an hour.
That office keeps the bond papers and the files for District Court and Circuit Court alike. Ring 256-216-3865 to learn whether a given bond belongs there and which payment forms the counter accepts. During lunch or after closing, the Elm Street jailers handle the bond side instead.
↑ Back to the question list6. What should I carry to pay an Athens bond?
Cashier’s checks and money orders cause the fewest problems at the counter. Personal checks can be refused. Whether cash or a card is accepted depends on which local court set the bond and how large it is, so settle that by phone first.
- A photo ID with your own name
- The defendant’s legal name, birthday and booking number
- Any case number you were given
- Payment in the exact form the office named
Any bondsman fee goes to that agent, separate from the court. On a state case, confirm the details with the circuit clerk at 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865.
↑ Back to the question list7. What role does a bondsman play near Athens?
A licensed bail agent signs on for the full Athens bond and carries the risk if the defendant flees. The family pays that agent a premium, and the agent keeps it even when charges get dismissed. Agents sometimes want collateral, maybe a vehicle title, or a relative signing as co-signer.
Elm Street staff can hand over a list of agents, though they will not steer you toward any one. Before you sign anything, ask for the premium, collateral and skipped-court penalties in writing. Licensed agents appear on a roll that the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board keeps, so look yours up before signing. Defense lawyers cannot sign the bond for you.
↑ Back to the question list8. Can Limestone County land secure a property bond?
Often it can. Owners show the deed plus a current tax value or appraisal, and the court that set the bond must sign off. Each person named on that deed has to join and sign the bond.
Call the circuit clerk before hiring an appraiser: 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865. Ask exactly which papers are needed and whether a farm or house in a neighboring county qualifies. A property bond moves slower than cash, so it rarely gets anyone out on a Saturday. If the defendant later skips a hearing, the pledged land is on the line.
↑ Back to the question list9. Which Limestone charges can mean no bond?
A capital charge, such as capital murder, may mean the person stays jailed with no bail. Aniah’s Law also lets prosecutors ask for a no-bail order on certain violent felonies, among them murder and first-degree rape, kidnapping or robbery. An Athens judge rules on it only after a hearing where the defense answers back.
Alabama voters widened that list, and the change took effect May 19, 2026. Added crimes: attempted murder, soliciting a murder, conspiring to murder, and shooting at an Athens-area house, business or car with somebody inside. The 39th Judicial Circuit district attorney in Athens, 256-233-6416, brings state charges here. Another county’s warrant can keep the person on Elm Street too.
↑ Back to the question list10. Did Athens police or a town officer make the arrest?
A city charge from Athens police or a small-town officer runs apart from county charges, with a separate courtroom and a separate bond. Ask that department where it filed the paperwork.
- Athens Police Department: office 256-233-8707, dispatch 256-233-8700
- Athens Municipal Court: 951 East Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-8733
- Ardmore Municipal Court: 26494 First Street, Ardmore, AL 35739, 256-423-3011
- Madison Municipal Court: 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758, 256-772-5617
- Huntsville Municipal Court: 815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-427-7810
Huntsville and Madison spill across the eastern county line, so their officers send charges to those city courts, sometimes with a second bond.
↑ Back to the question list11. Who can reduce a bond that is too high?
Just a judge can. The sheriff and the Elm Street jailers have no power over the amount. The defense lawyer files a motion, and under Rule 7.4 the judge is free to trim the amount or loosen conditions for good cause once the prosecutor has a chance to respond.
Hand the lawyer solid facts: steady work, a home address in the area, children or parents who rely on the defendant, medical needs, and a real plan for rides to court. That same rule makes Circuit Court revisit release terms for anybody jailed past 90 days awaiting trial, though nothing guarantees a cut. Get the case number from the clerk at 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865.
↑ Back to the question list12. Will an Athens judge appoint a lawyer at no cost?
Yes. On the first court date, the defendant should tell the judge plainly that they need appointed counsel. The defendant completes a sworn statement listing pay, debts, belongings and dependents. When the judge decides private counsel is out of reach, a lawyer is assigned. Rule 6.3 lets the judge reconsider when money changes, and a family posting bond does not prove the defendant can pay a lawyer.
Alabama’s appointed lawyers fall under the state Office of Indigent Defense Services, 100 North Union Street, Suite 680, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334-242-7059. Local forms come from the circuit clerk at 256-216-3865. Each phone call from Elm Street is recorded, so save any talk about the facts for the lawyer.
↑ Back to the question list13. How long after paying does Elm Street release someone?
Release starts once the bond is accepted and the paperwork lands at the booking desk. Jailers then run warrant checks, finish discharge forms and return stored belongings. Expect a few hours, and longer after a crowded weekend along I-65.
Extra delays come from a second case, a hold from another county or state, probation trouble, federal paperwork or an ICE detainer, and each needs its own fix. Phone the jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111, for an estimated time before you set out to make the pickup.
↑ Back to the question list14. What happens after a missed Athens court date?
A no-show can bring a fresh arrest warrant, and the court may forfeit the bond, meaning the cash or pledged property can be lost. Rule 7.6 requires notice and a chance to respond first, so forward that notice to the defense lawyer the day it arrives.
After a missed setting, call a lawyer quickly and check the new date with the circuit clerk at 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865. Hearing calendars are posted on the Limestone court website. Our criminal court guide walks from first appearance to sentencing.
↑ Back to the question list15. Will the court refund a cash bond?
Yes. Cash posted directly with the court comes back once the case is over, provided that the defendant attended every hearing. Rule 7.6(e) has the court discharge the bond and order the deposit returned when it is no longer needed. Fines, costs or restitution can be subtracted first, which shrinks the refund.
A bondsman’s premium never comes back. Save the original receipt, and keep the payer’s mailing address current with the court. Ask about a state-case refund at the clerk’s office, 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865.
↑ Back to the question list16. Where are Limestone County teens held after arrest?
Kids under 18 are usually routed to juvenile court, so the adult bond steps on Elm Street do not apply. Juvenile records stay private. When a youth must be detained, the county sends them to the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center, 2216 Missouri Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, 256-381-3520, where the county keeps three beds. Detention in Tuscumbia brings a court hearing inside 72 hours.
Juvenile Probation screens each referral from 1109 West Market Street, Suites D and E, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-6425. Instead of setting money bond, the judge weighs whether a parent can safely take the child home, usually with conditions. Prosecutors and the law send some older teens, 16 or 17, with the gravest felony charges to adult court.
↑ Back to the question list17. Will paying bond clear an immigration detainer?
No. A detainer stands apart from the local charges. ICE may send Elm Street a Form I-247A asking for notice before release and a hold as long as 48 hours beyond the usual release time, giving agents a window to collect the person. County bond must still be posted to clear the local charges.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office covers north Alabama: 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360. Once ICE has custody, search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System using the A-number and birth country. Talk with an immigration lawyer about what the detainer means.
↑ Back to the question list18. Who controls release on a federal Limestone case?
County bond plays no part once charges are federal. Those cases belong to the Northern District of Alabama federal court in Huntsville, 660 Gallatin Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-534-6495. A U.S. magistrate presides at the opening hearing and rules on detention.
- A pretrial services officer looks into the defendant’s work, home and history.
- Federal prosecutors may argue for continued custody.
- A released defendant agrees to federal conditions, and no bail money changes hands.
Until sentencing, federal prisoners stay under the U.S. Marshals Service, 1729 5th Avenue North, Room 240, Birmingham, AL 35203, 205-829-6611.
↑ Back to the question list19. How do I recognize a fake bail demand?
Con artists phone or text relatives soon after an arrest and insist on payment within minutes. Elm Street jailers and the courthouse clerk never ask anyone to buy gift cards or wire money, and they never request app payments. Pressure to hurry is the giveaway, so end the call.
Next, dial Elm Street on your own at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111, and confirm both the booking and the bond amount. Hand money only to the court clerk, to the jail when staff direct it, or to a licensed bondsman you looked up yourself. Bank details stay private unless you placed the call.
↑ Back to the question list20. How can a Limestone family track custody changes?
Three free tools keep relatives in the loop after release or a transfer:
- VINE alerts: open VINELink and pick Alabama. Look up the name. Choose a call, text or email to hear about each custody change.
- Alabama prisons: after sentencing to a state term, the ADOC inmate search finds the record by name or AIS number.
- U.S. prisons: the federal inmate locator shows where federal sentences are being served.
Limestone Correctional Facility, 28779 Nick Davis Road, Harvest, AL 35749, 256-233-4600, is an ADOC prison run by the state, separate from the Elm Street jail.
↑ Back to the question listLimestone County Jail on-site Inmate Visitation Schedule
101 West Elm Street
Athens, AL 35611
256-232-0111
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed 1 visit per day, and only 1 visit per week onsite at the facility.
- Proper attire is required. No low-cut blouses, tank tops, short skirts or dresses, tight shorts, hats or any other form of provocative dress will be allowed. Shirt and shoes must be worn.
- All visitors must provide proper state or government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, foreign id or passports) for inmate visitation.
- On Site video visitation is available at no cost.
- A video visit lasts 25 minutes.
- Visitors may only use this system on the inmates assigned visitation day, whenever the inmates have free time.
- All rules set forth for non-contact visitation shall be adhered to when using the video visitation system.
- Any lewd, profane or inappropriate behavior shall result in loss of video visitation privileges for the visitor and/or inmate.
- Each inmate is permitted a maximum of three on site visitors per session.
- Visitation sign-up is limited and on a first-come first serve basis.
- Visitors are encouraged to go online and reserve a visitation time. Purchased visitation minutes are not transferable.
- An adult must accompany all visitors who are under 17 years of age. Children must be monitored at all times.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring any personal belongings with them into the visitation area other than their picture ID and/or a set of keys unless otherwise allowed by the jail.
ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | no on-site visits |
| MONDAY | 8:00AM - 3:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 8:00AM - 3:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 8:00AM - 3:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 8:00AM - 3:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 8:00AM - 3:00PM |
| SATURDAY | no on-site visits |
Limestone County Jail Remote Inmate Video Visitation
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Remote Visits are $0.20 per minute.
REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
| MONDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:00AM - 9:00PM |
Inmate Sales Video Visitation provides a secure online platform that enables families and loved ones to conduct scheduled face-to-face video visits with incarcerated individuals from home. Using an internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or personal computer equipped with a webcam, visitors connect directly through housing-unit video stations or tablets without traveling to the facility.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit www.inmatesales.com or launch the Inmate Sales mobile app.
- Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID for background review.
- Wait for email notification confirming facility visitor approval.
- Select Schedule Video Visit, choose the detention facility, and select the inmate.
- Browse the available schedule calendar, select an open time slot, and pay the visitation fee using a credit or debit card.
- Log into the website or mobile app 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and stable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives a visitation notification on their housing unit video kiosk or tablet. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Remote Video Visitation, Inmate Sales provides calling, messaging, and commissary options:
- Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Calling - Two-Way Texting & Messaging: Send digital text messages and photos directly to an inmate's device.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Messaging - Inmate Tablets & Digital Media: Discover educational programs, phone access, and entertainment offered on facility tablets.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Tablets - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Limestone County Criminal Court Guide
Every Limestone County criminal case, whether it began in Athens, Ardmore or out in the countryside, run through the courthouse on the Athens square and a handful of city courts. Below, find which court owns a case, how a case moves toward a sentence and how to reach each office. Adults arrested here wait at the Limestone County Jail, 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611.
Before chasing a court date, check where the person is right now with the sheriff’s custody search. Our Inmates in Custody page adds mugshots, today’s arrests, warrants, charge details and steps for collecting property from Elm Street. A name that has not appeared yet may still be in booking.
For a state case, call the circuit clerk at 256-216-3865 on a weekday, outside the noon lunch hour. With the name and case number ready, ask when the next hearing is, what time it starts and which courtroom it is in. If getting out comes first, our Limestone bond guide walks through amounts, payment and refunds.
1. Which court hears a Limestone County criminal charge?
It depends on who wrote the charge and how serious it is.
- Athens and Ardmore officers file ordinance cases and most misdemeanors in their own city courts.
- Huntsville and Madison police working inside the Limestone slice of those cities file in Huntsville or Madison Municipal Court.
- Deputies, state troopers and conservation officers bring misdemeanors to District Court in Athens.
- Felonies begin in District Court; an indictment from the grand jury sends them upstairs to Circuit Court.
- A district judge hears juvenile cases.
Look for the court name on the citation or arrest papers. When that is unclear, the circuit clerk can look it up: 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865.
↑ Back to the question list2. Where are the state courtrooms in Athens?
Circuit Court and District Court share the Limestone County Courthouse on the square, 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611. The circuit clerk’s office on the first floor keeps both courts’ criminal files.
Counter hours run 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the office locks up from noon until 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Call 256-216-3865 before you come so you know the courtroom and the start time. Carry photo ID and your case number to the square. Dockets on the square can run long, so arrive early and expect to wait for the case to be called.
↑ Back to the question list3. Which city courts handle charges inside the county?
Several towns run their own courts, and a few big cities reach across the county line:
- Athens Municipal Court: 951 East Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-8733
- Ardmore Municipal Court: 26494 First Street, Ardmore, AL 35739, 256-423-3011
- Madison Municipal Court: 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758, 256-772-5617, for charges on the western side of that city
- Huntsville Municipal Court: 815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-427-7810, for charges in annexed land west of the county line
Lester and Mooresville cases go to District Court in Athens. For Elkmont, the ticket names the court. Decatur police file charges from their side of the Tennessee River in Decatur Municipal Court in Morgan County.
↑ Back to the question list4. How quickly does an Athens judge see a new arrestee?
That opening hearing moves fast. The charges get read aloud and bond is reviewed. Then comes the question of whether the defendant wants appointed counsel.
Deadlines guard anybody still sitting on Elm Street. For warrantless Elm Street arrests, a judge owes a probable-cause finding inside 48 hours. A person brought in on a warrant who cannot make bond is due in court inside 72 hours. On a domestic violence arrest, bond can stay unset as long as 24 hours, pending a judge. To confirm a first-hearing time, call the jail at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-232-0111.
↑ Back to the question list5. How do misdemeanor cases like DUI or trespass move along?
Most people charged with a misdemeanor bond out within hours. At arraignment in city court or District Court, the defendant pleads and can ask for a lawyer. Endings range from a dropped charge or diversion to fines with court costs, probation, or jail time that gets suspended. A first DUI here brings a fine of $600 to $2,100 and a license suspension.
- Class A (DUI, second-degree marijuana possession): up to one year and $6,000
- Class B: up to six months and $3,000
- Class C (second-degree trespass): up to three months and $500
- Violation: up to 30 days and $200
Misdemeanor jail time is served in the county, never a state prison.
↑ Back to the question list6. What are the steps in a Limestone felony case?
Felony arrests start with Elm Street booking, then District Court, where the judge revisits bond and can assign a lawyer paid by the state. After that, the case follows these steps:
- On a defense request, a district judge looks at probable cause in a preliminary hearing.
- Grand jury review by 39th Circuit prosecutors, or a waiver of indictment so the case moves faster.
- Circuit Court arraignment, then evidence sharing, motions and plea talks.
- A plea, a jury trial or a dismissal, followed by sentencing if there is a conviction.
Each stage can take weeks or months. Keep in close touch with the defense lawyer.
↑ Back to the question list7. What sentences do Alabama felony classes carry?
Alabama sorts felonies into four classes, and the range grows with each step:
- Class D, such as simple drug possession: 1 year and 1 day up to 5 years
- Class C, such as identity theft: up to 10 years
- Class B, second-degree burglary for example: 2 to 20 years
- Class A, such as murder: 10 to 99 years or life
Large amounts of fentanyl can turn possession into trafficking, which has mandatory minimum terms. Repeat felons face longer ranges under the Habitual Felony Offender Act. With nonviolent Class C or D charges, Alabama’s presumptive guidelines frequently steer judges to probation, drug court or Community Corrections. Defendants who were under 21 when the offense happened may apply for youthful offender treatment; if granted, the record is sealed and any sentence tops out at 3 years.
↑ Back to the question list8. What changes when the charge is murder, rape or kidnapping?
Violent charges often keep a defendant on Elm Street for the whole case. For murder and some first-degree crimes, including rape, robbery and kidnapping, 39th Circuit prosecutors may seek an Aniah’s Law order holding the defendant with no bail. An Athens judge decides after a hearing.
Starting May 19, 2026, a constitutional amendment added attempted murder, soliciting or conspiring to murder, and shooting at an occupied house, building or car to that list. Murder, along with first-degree rape and kidnapping, sits in Class A. Capital murder convictions in Alabama bring death or a life term with parole off the table. These cases almost always go through a grand jury, and appointed lawyers must have experience matched to the charge.
↑ Back to the question list9. Who prosecutes Limestone cases, and who defends them?
The 39th Judicial Circuit is a one-county circuit, and its district attorney’s office in Athens prosecutes state crimes here. Reach it at 256-233-6416. City prosecutors handle municipal court cases.
If a jail sentence could follow and the family cannot hire a lawyer, the defendant tells the judge so at the opening hearing and signs a sworn form covering pay, debts and household. Rule 6.3 lets the court take a fresh look if money changes. Alabama’s program for appointed lawyers belongs to the Office of Indigent Defense Services, 100 North Union Street, Suite 680, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334-242-7059. City judges appoint lawyers for eligible defendants in their own courts.
↑ Back to the question list10. Where are Limestone hearing dates and files posted?
Hearing calendars and courthouse notices appear on the Limestone court website. Full state case records sit in Alacourt Access, which charges $9.99 for each case pulled by name. Pick Limestone from the county list before searching.
Reading a file in person at the clerk’s office costs nothing. Go to 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611 on a weekday, skipping the noon hour, or phone 256-216-3865 with the defendant’s name and birthday. Municipal cases live with the city court that filed them, so that court has its own calendar. Settings get bumped a lot, so recheck the evening before.
↑ Back to the question list11. How do I check for a Limestone County warrant?
Deputies at the sheriff’s office can search for county warrants by phone at 256-232-0111. You can also walk in with a photo ID at 101 West Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611. Athens police handle city warrants through their office line, 256-233-8707. A related case may show up in Alacourt Access, but finding it there does not clear anything. Talk to a lawyer about turning in on a planned day with bond lined up, which is usually safer than a surprise arrest at home or work.
↑ Back to the question list12. Can a city or District Court ruling be appealed?
Yes. A conviction from a city court or District Court can go up to Circuit Court on the square if the appeal is filed within 14 days. Circuit Court hears it as a fresh trial, called de novo, and a jury can be requested. That is the main way to get a jury on a misdemeanor, since the first trial happens in front of a judge alone.
Let those 14 days slip by, and the appeal is usually lost. File through the circuit clerk at 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3865, and ask what bond or fees apply while the appeal is pending. A lawyer can explain whether an appeal makes sense.
↑ Back to the question list13. Where do Limestone juvenile cases go?
A district judge sitting as the juvenile court hears delinquency cases behind closed doors. Juvenile Probation reviews each referral, meets the family, and either files a petition or settles it informally. Its office is at 1109 West Market Street, Suites D and E, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-6425.
Detained youths go to the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center, 2216 Missouri Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, 256-381-3520, and must get a hearing within 72 hours. Money bond is not used for children; the judge asks whether going home to a parent, with rules, is safe. Results can be probation, a community program, or a longer state placement through the Alabama Department of Youth Services. By law, certain teens aged 16 or 17 bypass juvenile court completely. That covers capital charges, Class A charges and trafficking, plus felonies involving a weapon, a death or a serious injury. For other youths 14 or older, prosecutors may request a transfer hearing.
↑ Back to the question list14. Where are Limestone federal charges tried?
U.S. charges out of this county land in the Huntsville courtroom of Alabama’s Northern District, its Northeastern Division, at the federal courthouse, 660 Gallatin Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-534-6495.
A U.S. magistrate runs the opening hearing. Release versus detention is settled under the Bail Reform Act, and the state bond chart plays no role. The judge also reads a background report from federal pretrial services. During the case, the U.S. Marshals pick a housing spot, which can be a north Alabama county jail. Reach the Marshals at 1729 5th Avenue North, Room 240, Birmingham, AL 35203, 205-829-6611. Once a federal prison term starts, the federal inmate locator shows the location.
↑ Back to the question list15. Can an ICE detainer change a Limestone case?
An immigration detainer asks the Elm Street jail to hold a person up to 48 hours past their normal release so ICE can pick them up. The state case still goes on, and county bond still has to be handled. Immigration officers, not the Athens judge, make the calls on the detainer.
Limestone and the rest of north Alabama are handled by ICE’s New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360. After ICE takes custody, the ICE Online Detainee Locator System needs the A-number plus country of birth. Pleading guilty can reshape someone’s immigration future, so the defense lawyer must hear about any detainer early.
↑ Back to the question list16. What other options can a judge use instead of jail?
For many lower-level cases, a judge in Athens can order supervision in the community instead of a long jail stay. Choices include probation, drug court and Limestone County Community Corrections, which watches people who live at home and follow strict rules.
Community Corrections works out of 505 South Jefferson Street, Athens, AL 35611, 256-216-3437. Call that office to ask what a placement there involves. Breaking program rules can send the person back before the judge and possibly to jail. Whether a client fits is something the defense lawyer raises, usually in plea talks or right before sentencing.
↑ Back to the question list17. Where do Athens prison sentences get served?
Terms longer than a year are normally served in the Alabama Department of Corrections. Until ADOC opens a bed, the sentenced person tends to stay on Elm Street. Next comes an intake unit, where staff sort out security level and health needs, and finally a move to the assigned prison.
To see the assigned prison, run the person’s name or AIS number through the ADOC inmate search. Limestone Correctional Facility, 28779 Nick Davis Road, Harvest, AL 35749, 256-233-4600, is a state prison near Harvest; the Athens jail is a different place. For release and transfer alerts, sign up through VINELink, the statewide notice service.
↑ Back to the question list
JailATM Commissary Ordering allows family members to purchase pre-approved snack boxes, meat and cheese selections, hygiene bundles, and seasonal gift care packages sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Each package is tailored to comply with local facility security rules, ensuring items clear intake smoothly without being rejected at the loading dock.
Important: Package Deadlines and Delivery Windows Vary
Detention centers do not all follow identical package distribution schedules. Some facilities allow weekly orders while others restrict shipments to bi-weekly or monthly windows, and spending limits differ widely across institutions. You should confirm the facility's active cutoff schedule and order allowances by calling them directly. If an order is placed after the weekly processing deadline, it will be held until the following distribution cycle, leaving your loved one waiting an extra cycle for fresh supplies.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Place a Commissary Package Order
- Confirm the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned booking identification number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ and sign into your account.
- Select Commissary Packs or Gift Packs from the service menu.
- Choose your state and detention center to open the jail's authorized product catalog.
- Search for the inmate to link the order to their active housing record.
- Browse available food bundles, hygiene kits, and clothing options, adding items up to the facility's allowed spending limit.
- Enter your billing details, complete checkout with a credit or debit card, and save your confirmation receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an active online account to receive care packages. JailATM fulfills the order in tamper-evident security containers and delivers it directly to the facility commissary department. Jail staff inspect the shipment and deliver the items during regular housing unit commissary distribution, where the inmate signs for receipt.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Commissary Gift Packs, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Limestone County Jail
Limestone County Jail Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
Limestone County Jail allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Jail ATM.
Questions? Call Jail ATM at 877-810-0914.
There is a monthly limit of $200-300 on how much inmates can spend on commissary items.
This amount is subject to change so call the facility at 256-232-0111 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for information on the Limestone County Jail's service they use for you being able to purchase commissary items online and have them shipped directly to the inmate.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
JailATM provides a secure electronic payment portal that allows friends and family members to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust and commissary account. Deposited money provides the financial balance needed for your loved one to purchase personal hygiene items, snacks, over-the-counter medical sundries, and correspondence supplies from the facility commissary.
Important: Facility Deposit Rules and Window Intake Vary
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned facility booking ID number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ on your computer or mobile device.
- Click Sign In or Register to set up your verified user account using your email address and password.
- Select the state and the detention facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or legal last name to confirm an exact roster match.
- Enter your desired deposit dollar amount and review the calculated transaction and convenience fees.
- Input your debit or credit card billing details, complete payment authorization, and save your digital receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic transaction clears, the balance posts directly to their jail trust ledger according to facility accounting schedules. The inmate can review their updated balance at a dayroom pod kiosk or on their weekly trust statement and place orders on their regular commissary day.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Trust & Commissary Money Deposits, JailATM provides several other communication, store, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and hygiene bundles sent directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Gift Packs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Limestone County Jail
At the Limestone County Jail in Athens, money for commissary, calls and messages goes on the person's account. Every way of paying has a small fee, so keep your receipt in case a deposit seems lost.
- Online: Use JailATM and choose the Limestone County Jail.
- Lobby kiosk: When the kiosk in the lobby is working, it is another way to pay.
- Money order by mail: Use a postal money order with the inmate number in the memo line. Mail it by itself, with no letter or photos, to Limestone County Jail, 101 West Elm Street, PO Box 889, Athens, AL 35611. Make it out to the person's full name and call 256-232-0111 to confirm.
Letters now go to a separate mail address in Decatur, so never tuck money into a letter. Do not mail cash or a personal check. Money on the account is for daily needs and does not count toward bond.
The Limestone County Jail in Athens does not receive personal letters and postcards directly. The Sheriff's Office routes them through an outside mail service instead. Jails do this because some people have soaked paper in drugs such as heroin or meth, let it dry and mailed it in. Legal mail, books and money orders are still sent straight to the jail's own address.
Personal letters and postcards:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
Limestone County Jail
1605 Beltline Rd SW D8 #244
Decatur, AL 35601
Legal mail, books and money orders:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
Limestone County Jail
101 West Elm Street
PO Box 889
Athens, AL 35611
- Books: Paperbacks only, mailed by a publisher or a store to the Athens address. Staff throw away books that are violent or sexual.
- Their name and inmate number: Both belong on every letter and postcard. You can find the number on the jail roster.
- Money orders: Leave cash and personal checks out of the mail. A postal money order should be made out to the inmate's full name, with their inmate number in the memo line. If you are unsure, call 256-232-0111 to confirm. Money sent by mail takes longer than when you send money online.
- Do not include: Stamps, drawings, perfume, lipstick, confetti or glitter.
- Packages: They can only come through commissary.
- Your address: The envelope or postcard has to show your full name and return address.
- Newspapers and magazines: Only copies sent directly by the publisher get through, and staff remove adult content.
- Pen: Write in black or blue. Colored ink, markers and crayons are not allowed.
- Cards: Send a plain greeting card, never one with music.
Inmate Sales (Combined Public Communications - CPC) provides telecommunications services that allow incarcerated individuals to place outbound voice calls from dayroom telephones or handheld tablets to family and friends. Because correctional facilities do not permit incoming calls, funding an Inmate Sales prepaid account links calling credits directly to your phone number so calls connect without carrier restrictions.
Important: Mobile Phones Automatically Block Inmate Collect Calls
Cellular phone carriers automatically reject standard collect calls originating from jail phone systems. While some residential landlines might permit direct monthly billing, mobile devices and internet-based telephone lines require an active prepaid calling balance, which you can verify by checking with your provider. If you do not register online and fund an Inmate Sales account right away, your loved one will receive an automated disconnect announcement when attempting to call your number.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund a Phone Account
- Visit www.inmatesales.com or call customer care at 1-877-998-5678.
- Click New User and register using the primary 10-digit telephone number where you want to receive calls.
- Select the state and facility where the inmate is currently detained.
- Link the inmate to your profile using their full legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Prepaid Collect Phone or Direct Inmate PIN Debit.
- Select your deposit dollar amount and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit payment, record your confirmation number, and confirm that your mobile phone allows calls from automated or unknown correctional numbers.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your 10-digit telephone number from any dayroom telephone or tablet and keys in their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your phone number has an active prepaid balance and connects the call once you accept the automated prompt. All personal telephone conversations are recorded and monitored by facility staff.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Phone Calling Accounts, Inmate Sales provides several other communication and visitation channels:
- Inmate Tablets & Digital Media: Discover educational programs, phone access, and entertainment offered on facility tablets.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Tablets - Two-Way Texting & Messaging: Send digital text messages and photos directly to an inmate's device.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Video Visits - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Inmate Sales Two-Way Texting allows friends and family members to exchange electronic text messages and digital photo attachments directly with an incarcerated loved one. Messages are delivered electronically to housing unit kiosks and handheld tablets within hours, avoiding the lengthy transit times associated with physical postal mail.
Important: Electronic Messaging Screening Rules Differ
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional agencies. While some facilities still allow regular handwritten letters, many jails have transitioned to digital-only mail scanning or restrict postal delivery, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase messaging credits immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written contact from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send Text Messages
- Go to www.inmatesales.com or launch the Inmate Sales mobile app.
- Register your account using your 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Select Text Messaging / Chirp from your service options.
- Select your state and detention center, then search for the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID.
- Purchase a messaging credit bundle using a debit or credit card.
- Type your message in the composition window and attach approved JPEG photos if permitted by the facility.
- Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All electronic correspondence is screened by facility staff before delivery. Once approved, messages appear in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit terminal or tablet. The inmate opens the message, reads your note, and types an electronic reply using their available credits.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Two-Way Texting, Inmate Sales provides several communication, commissary, and visitation options:
- Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Video Visits - Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Calling - Inmate Tablets & Digital Media: Discover educational programs, phone access, and entertainment offered on facility tablets.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Tablets - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Inmate Sales (CPC) provides corrections-grade handheld wireless tablets to incarcerated individuals in county detention centers. Operating on a secure internal network, these devices allow inmates to conduct remote video visits, make voice telephone calls, send and receive text messages, stream approved music, read digital books, and access self-help legal resources directly from their living areas.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund Tablet Use
- Verify that Inmate Sales / CPC tablets are deployed at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Navigate to www.inmatesales.com or launch the Inmate Sales mobile app.
- Sign into your verified user profile and link the inmate's legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Tablet / Chirp Funds or Inmate PIN Debit to add funds to their available balance.
- Specify your deposit amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that their device balance is available.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their PIN or biometric scan. Their available balance appears on the screen, allowing them to download songs, read digital books, write messages, and communicate with approved family members. Devices are docked during quiet hours and shift changes for secure recharging and data synchronization.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Tablet Services, Inmate Sales provides several core communication channels:
- Two-Way Texting & Messaging: Send digital text messages and photos directly to an inmate's device.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Video Visits - Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Calling - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Limestone County Juvenile Facilities
- Jail (Main): 256-232-0111
- Athens Police: 256-233-8707
- Sheriff: 256-232-0111
The Limestone County Jail serves the following cities and towns of Limestone County: Ardmore, Athens, Elkmont, Harvest, Mooresville and Tanner. At times this facility may also house inmates arrested in the following counties: Dallas County.