Huntsville Alabama Felony Records

Huntsville felony records are kept by the Madison County Circuit Court. The city itself does not hold felony files. Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama by population with about 230,000 people. All felony cases in Huntsville go through the county court system. The Circuit Clerk stores every file. This page shows you how to find felony records in Huntsville.

Which Court Has Huntsville Felony Records

Madison County Circuit Court handles all felony cases in Huntsville. City police make arrests. But the county court takes it from there. All charges, hearings, and verdicts happen at county level. Huntsville has no separate felony court. The county serves all of Madison County including Huntsville.

Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The courthouse is at 100 Northside Square in downtown Huntsville. The Circuit Clerk office is inside. This is where all Huntsville felony records are stored. You can request copies here or search online. The clerk staff help with questions about records and fees.

The courthouse is in the Huntsville downtown square. Street parking fills up fast. Several lots are nearby. Security checks all visitors. Bring a photo ID. Leave big bags at home if you can. Once inside, the clerk staff can help you find felony records in Huntsville.

How to Search Huntsville Felony Records

You can search felony records in Huntsville online or in person. Online is quick for basic case info. In person lets you see the whole file. Both ways work well. Records are public under Alabama law. Anyone can search them. You do not need to be part of a case to look it up in Huntsville.

The Alacourt ACCESS system has all trial court records in Alabama. For Huntsville, pick Madison County from the list. Each search costs $9.99. Search by name or case number. Results show charges, hearings, and outcomes. Document images cost extra. This is the main tool for felony records in Huntsville.

The image above shows the portal for searching Madison County court records. Huntsville residents use this system to find felony case information online.

To search felony records in Huntsville, you need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth to narrow results
• Case number for exact matches
• Year the case was filed

You can also visit the clerk office. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (256) 532-3330 to ask about fees. The office can get busy during peak times. Going early often means less wait time.

Huntsville Police Department Records

The Huntsville Police Department handles arrests in the city. They keep arrest records and incident reports. These are separate from court records. Police records show the arrest itself. Court records show what happened in the legal system. You may need both to get the full picture in Huntsville.

Contact the Huntsville Police Records Unit for arrest info. You can reach them through the city website at huntsvilleal.gov. Some records are public. Others require consent or a court order. Staff can explain what they can release. Booking photos usually come from the jail, not the police.

The Madison County Sheriff runs the jail system. They post a jail roster online. You can check current inmates, charges, and bond amounts at madisoncountysheriff.com. The roster updates regularly. This is a free resource for recent arrests in Huntsville.

Huntsville as a Technology Hub

Huntsville is a high-tech city. It hosts NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. Many defense contractors work here. Federal crimes related to these facilities do not go to county court. They go to federal court. State felonies still go through Madison County Circuit Court.

Huntsville is the fastest growing city in Alabama. The area adds thousands of new people each year. More people means more court cases. The county handles a high volume of work. Online searches through Alacourt can save time compared to visiting in person. The system is available around the clock.

The city of Madison is nearby in the same county. Madison also uses Madison County Circuit Court for felonies. If a case happened in either city, the records are at the same courthouse in Huntsville.

What Huntsville Felony Records Show

A felony record from Huntsville has the key facts of a criminal case. It begins when charges are filed. It ends when the case closes. Everything between is in the file. Here is what Huntsville felony records contain.

Huntsville felony records include:

• Defendant's full name and birth date
• Arrest date and booking details
• Charges filed by the prosecutor
• Case number and assigned judge
• Hearing dates and court actions
• Motions from both sides
• Verdict: guilty, not guilty, or dismissed
• Sentence if convicted
• Bond amounts and release info

Felonies in Huntsville cover the same offenses as elsewhere in Alabama. Murder and rape are Class A. Robbery and assault with serious injury are Class B. Drug crimes range from Class B to D based on type and amount. Under Code of Alabama Section 13A-5-6, sentences range from 1 year and 1 day up to life.

Are Huntsville Felony Records Public

Yes. Court records are public in Alabama. Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, citizens can inspect public records. This includes felony cases at the Madison County Circuit Court. You do not need to be involved in the case. You do not need to give a reason.

Some records have limits. Juvenile cases are sealed. Cases a judge has sealed are not public. Expunged records are hidden. Personal data like Social Security numbers may be blacked out. But most adult felony records are open in Huntsville.

ALEA criminal history is not a public record. Only the subject or authorized users can access it. Misuse of criminal records is a crime under Code of Alabama Section 41-9-601. Fines go from $5,000 to $10,000. Jail time can be up to 5 years. Use Alacourt for public searches in Huntsville.

Huntsville Felony Expungement

Some felony records can be sealed in Huntsville. This is expungement. Not every case qualifies. The rules are strict. If you meet them, you can ask the court to hide your record. Once sealed, most employers and landlords cannot see it.

Under Code of Alabama Section 15-27, certain felonies can be expunged. Dismissed charges often qualify. Not guilty verdicts can be erased. Pardons with rights restored may allow expungement of some convictions. Violent felonies are much harder to expunge.

To start expungement in Huntsville, file a petition at the Madison County Circuit Court. A judge reviews the request. If approved, agencies must seal their records. ALEA updates its files. The clerk seals the court record. The process takes time. A lawyer can help move things along correctly.

Legal Help in Huntsville

Several groups offer legal help in Huntsville. Some are free for those who qualify. Others have reduced rates. These can assist with felony cases or record searches in Huntsville.

Legal Services Alabama serves the Huntsville area. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income. The statewide line is (866) 456-4995. Spanish speakers call (888) 835-3505. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info on services in the Huntsville area.

The Madison County Bar Association can refer you to a lawyer. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. First meetings often have a set low fee. The law library at the courthouse has forms and resources. Staff can point you to what you need for felony record requests in Huntsville.

Nearby Alabama Cities

Huntsville is in north Alabama. The city of Madison is right next door. Decatur is about 25 miles southwest. Florence is an hour west. Each city uses its county court for felony records. Here are links to nearby cities.

Madison County Felony Records

Huntsville is in Madison County. All felony cases go through the county Circuit Court. The county serves Huntsville, Madison, and surrounding areas. For full details on the court, fees, and resources, see the Madison County felony records page.

View Madison County Felony Records