Huntsville Arrest Records Lookup
Arrest records for Huntsville come from two places. The Huntsville Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office both keep these records. Huntsville is Alabama's largest city with over 230,000 people. That means a lot of arrests happen here each year. When Huntsville Police pick someone up, they take them to the Madison County Detention Center on Wheeler Avenue. The city's Records Division can help you get police reports and arrest info. They also do background checks during normal work hours. Madison County has an online inmate roster too. It shows who is in jail right now, when they were booked, what charges they face, and bond amounts.
Huntsville Arrest Records Quick Facts
Which County Handles Huntsville Arrest Records
Huntsville sits in Madison County. This means the Madison County Sheriff's Office and courts deal with all arrest records for the city. When Huntsville Police arrest someone, they bring them to the Madison County Detention Center. That's where booking happens. Court cases go to either Circuit Court or District Court. It depends on how serious the charges are.
The 23rd Judicial Circuit covers Madison County. It handles all felony cases from Huntsville arrests. Smaller crimes and traffic tickets go through District Court instead. The Madison County Circuit Clerk keeps all the court records. This includes case files, dockets, and judgment papers for criminal cases.
| County | Madison County |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 23rd Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Court | Madison County Courthouse, Huntsville |
| District Court | Madison County District Court |
Madison County Detention Center
The Madison County Detention Center is where all arrests get processed. This includes Huntsville Police, Sheriff's deputies, and other cops in the county. The jail sits on Wheeler Avenue in downtown Huntsville. They handle thousands of bookings each year.
| Address | 815 Wheeler Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 519-4800 |
| Inmate Roster | Madison County Sheriff Inmate Roster |
The Madison County Sheriff has an online inmate roster. Anyone can use it to look up who's in jail right now. It shows the person's name, when they were booked, their charges, and bond amount. You can also see court dates. They update the list often as new people come in and others get out.
Huntsville Police Department Records Division
Huntsville Police has a Records Division. They handle requests for police reports, arrest records, and background checks. This office is not part of the county jail. But they work with county staff on arrest processing.
| Address | 815 Wheeler Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 |
|---|---|
| Phone (Non-Emergency) | 256-722-7100 |
| Records/Case Info | 256-427-7020 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Website | Huntsville Police Records |
How to Search Huntsville Arrest Records
Madison County Inmate Roster
Want to find out if someone was just arrested in Huntsville? The fastest way is the Madison County Sheriff's online inmate roster. This list shows everyone in the county jail right now. Search by name to see booking info, charges, and bond amounts. You can also find court dates. The roster is free. No sign-up needed.
Here's how to use the inmate roster. Go to the Madison County Sheriff's website. Click on the inmate roster or jail roster link. Type in the last name you want. You'll see all current inmates with that name plus their booking info.
Alacourt Public Access
Need court records after charges are filed? Use the Alacourt Public Access system. Pick Madison County and choose the case type. Criminal, Traffic, whatever fits. Then type in the person's name. Alacourt shows case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. It's free and covers all Alabama counties.
Alabama VINE
Alabama VINE helps you track someone's jail status. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. Sign up to get alerts when their status changes. You can get these by phone, email, or text. Call 1-877-846-3425 or go to Alabama VINE to look up offenders or sign up for alerts.
In-Person Records Requests
Some records aren't online. You can go to the Huntsville Police Records Division in person. Bring a photo ID. Know the date of the incident or the case number if you have it. Names of people involved help too. You might need to fill out a request form for some records.
Background Checks
Huntsville Police does background checks. These work for jobs, licenses, or personal use. You need to fill out an application and show your ID. Then pay the fee. How long it takes depends on what type of check you need. For state-level criminal history, go through ALEA. That's the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. They do the official reports.
Fees for Huntsville Arrest Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Madison County Inmate Roster (online) | Free |
| Alacourt Case Search (online) | Free |
| Huntsville Police Background Check | $5.00 - $10.00 |
| Police Report Copy | Varies by page count |
| Certified Court Record Copy | $1.00 - $5.00 per page |
| ALEA Criminal History Check | $25.00 |
Processing Times
| Request Type | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Online inmate search | Immediate |
| Alacourt case search | Immediate |
| In-person background check | Same day to 3 business days |
| Police report request | 1-5 business days |
| ALEA criminal history (mail) | 5-10 business days |
Payment Methods
The Huntsville Police Records Division takes cash and money orders. Sometimes they take credit or debit cards. Call ahead to check what they take now. For court records at the Circuit Clerk's office, pay with cash, check, or money order. Some online services let you pay online.
Legal Framework for Arrest Records
State law controls who can see arrest records in Alabama. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen can look at and copy public records. There are some exceptions in the law. This statute is why you can get arrest records, booking info, and court papers.
What Information Is Public
These arrest records are usually public in Alabama:
- Booking records (jailer's logbook entries)
- Mugshot photographs
- Arrest reports (after warrant has been executed)
- Charges at time of booking
- Bond and bail information
- Court records and case dispositions
- Conviction information
Records That Are Not Public
Some records you can't get under Alabama law:
- Juvenile records (individuals under 18)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Ongoing investigation details
- Unexecuted warrant information
- Social Security numbers
- Home addresses and phone numbers
Expungement in Alabama
You can get some arrest records cleared in Alabama. This is called expungement. It's covered under Alabama Code Title 15, Chapter 27. You might qualify if your charges were dropped. Or if you were found not guilty. Finishing a diversion program works too. Some old convictions can also be cleared after enough time. File your petition in the circuit court that heard your case. There's a filing fee. If approved, the public can't see the record anymore. But police can still access it.
Huntsville Arrest Records Resources
Huntsville Police Records Division
The Huntsville Police Records Division is where you get police reports and background checks. They also have incident papers. The office is at 815 Wheeler Avenue. They're open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Madison County Detention Center
The Madison County Sheriff runs the jail. All Huntsville arrests go through here. Their online inmate roster shows who's locked up right now. It has booking dates, charges, and bond amounts.
Legal Aid and Resources
Need legal help? Several groups in Huntsville help people with criminal matters, record requests, and expungement.
Legal Services Alabama - Huntsville Office
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income people and families. They don't do criminal defense. But they can help you clear your record or get your rights back.
| Address | 2000-C Vernon Street NW Huntsville, AL 35816 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 536-9645 |
| Services | Expungement assistance, rights restoration, civil legal matters |
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with attorneys who do criminal defense and expungement. Call 1-800-392-5660 to find a lawyer in Huntsville.
Madison County Bar Association
The Madison County Bar Association helps too. They can send you to local lawyers who handle criminal cases and record issues. Get in touch with them to find a lawyer in Huntsville.
Public Defender's Office
Can't afford a lawyer? You might get a public defender. The Madison County Public Defender's Office helps people who qualify. The court looks at your income and what you own. If you've been arrested and can't pay for a lawyer, ask for a public defender at your first court date.
Nearby Alabama Cities
You might need to look up arrest records in other Alabama cities. Each city's arrests go through their own county jail and courts.
Madison County
Huntsville is in Madison County. The county runs the jail and courts for the city. Want more arrest record info at the county level? Check out the Madison County page.
Search Arrest Records
Use our search tool to look up arrest records for Huntsville and Madison County.