Access Winston County Sex Offenders

Winston County sex offender records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Double Springs. The county is known historically as the "Free State of Winston" due to its Civil War neutrality stance.

Winston County Sheriff's Office

The Winston County Sheriff handles sex offender registration for the whole county. The office is in Double Springs. Offenders must come here in person to register and verify their info every three months. The sheriff takes photos, collects fees, and sends updates to the state database.

Winston County is in northwest Alabama in the Appalachian foothills. The county has a rural character with small towns spread across hilly terrain. William B. Bankhead National Forest covers parts of the county. The sheriff's office works with ALEA to maintain accurate records on all registered sex offenders.

How to Search Winston County Sex Offenders

You can search for sex offenders in Winston County through the statewide database. The ALEA Community Information Center at app.alea.gov/community covers all 67 Alabama counties. Filter by Winston County to see local offenders.

The OffenderWatch portal at communitynotification.com has the same data in a different format. Both sites let you search by name, address, or ZIP code. You can also view a map that shows pins for each registered offender. The databases update daily.

When you search, you can use:

• Offender name (first, last, or partial)
• Street address in Winston County
• ZIP codes like 35553 (Double Springs) or 35565 (Haleyville)
• City name within the county
• Map view to browse the area visually

For direct questions, call (205) 489-8765. Staff can confirm if someone is registered. They can also answer basic questions about how the process works in Winston County.

Registration Requirements in Winston County

Sex offenders in Winston County must follow Alabama law. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-10 requires quarterly in-person check-ins. Adult offenders come in four times per year. The first visit is in your birth month, then every three months after.

The fee is $10 each time. If you cannot pay, ask for a hardship waiver. You must show proof of low income. At each visit, the sheriff takes a new photo and updates your file. They verify your address, job, and any vehicles you own or drive.

New residents have three days to register. If you move to Winston County from elsewhere in Alabama or from out of state, go to the sheriff within three business days. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-22 sets this rule. You also have three days to report changes in jobs or vehicles. Missing these deadlines is a Class C felony.

What Winston County Records Show

Sex offender records in Winston County contain detailed info about each person. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-8 specifies what is available to the public. The purpose is to keep the community informed.

Each record includes:

• Full name and any known aliases
• Date of birth
• Current photograph
• Home address in Winston County
• Employer name and work address
• Physical description with height, weight, eye color
• Scars, tattoos, or other marks
• Vehicle info including plate number
• The sex offense that required registration
• Conviction date and court

Some data stays private. Social Security numbers are not shown. Phone numbers and emails are hidden from public view. Victim names are never released. The sheriff has all this information but only shares what the law allows.

Residency Rules in Winston County

Sex offenders in Winston County cannot live near schools. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-11 creates a 2,000-foot buffer zone. That is about 0.4 miles. The rule covers schools, daycares, and similar places where children are regularly present.

Winston County is mostly rural with towns scattered across hilly terrain. Double Springs, Haleyville, and Addison have schools that create buffer zones. Much of the county has no residency limits due to the distance from schools. The national forest areas have very few restrictions.

If you need to know whether a specific address is legal for an offender, ask the sheriff. They can check the location against the 2,000-foot rule. Towns in the county may have extra local rules on top of the state law.

Community Notification in Winston County

When a sex offender moves into Winston County, the sheriff notifies neighbors. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-21 requires notices to homes within 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Schools within three miles also get alerts. This happens shortly after registration.

In a rural county, the notification zone may not include many homes. Neighbors can be spread far apart. The sheriff still sends notices to everyone within range. You can sign up for email alerts on OffenderWatch to get messages when an offender moves into your area.

For questions about specific offenders, call (205) 489-8765. Staff can share what info is public. In a small county, the sheriff's office often has more direct knowledge of local cases.

Report a Violation in Winston County

If you think a sex offender in Winston County is breaking rules, report it. Common violations include wrong addresses, missed check-ins, and being too close to schools. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-37 makes these acts a Class C felony. Penalties range from one to ten years in prison.

Call (205) 489-8765 to report. Give the offender's name, the rule you believe they broke, and any details you have. Include dates, times, and locations if possible. You can also submit tips through OffenderWatch or contact ALEA directly at 334-676-7250.

The sheriff does compliance checks to verify addresses. Deputies visit offenders at home and work. In a rural county with hilly terrain, these checks take time. Public tips help catch offenders who give false info or try to avoid detection.

Cities in Winston County

Winston County has several small towns, but all sex offenders register with the county sheriff. Double Springs is the county seat. Haleyville is the largest city. Addison is another notable town.

No cities in Winston County exceed the population threshold for a separate page. All information is covered at the county level. Every offender in the county registers at the sheriff's office on Blake Drive in Double Springs.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Winston County. If you live near the line, register in the county where you actually reside. Moving across a county border means you have three days to re-register in the new location.