Huntsville Police Records Search

Police records in Huntsville are managed by the Huntsville Police Department Records Division. The city is the largest in Alabama by population, with over 230,000 residents spread across Madison County and parts of three other counties. Getting police records here is pretty straightforward if you know where to look. The Records Division handles incident reports, crash reports, and criminal case files. They have both in-person and online options for requesting documents. This guide will walk you through how to get the records you need from Huntsville PD, what they charge, and what you can expect during the process.

Which County Handles Huntsville Cases

Huntsville sits mostly in Madison County. That means most crimes that happen here go through the Madison County court system. The sheriff there runs the jail. Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court deals with misdemeanors.

Some parts of Huntsville extend into Limestone County, Morgan County, and Marshall County. This can make things tricky. If your incident happened on the edge of town, it might fall under a different county. Check your police report to see which jurisdiction handled it.

For most people, though, Madison County is where you will find court records. The Madison County Detention Center at 815 Wheeler Avenue houses people arrested by Huntsville police. The county Circuit Clerk keeps records of all criminal cases.

This setup is normal for Alabama. The city police investigate crimes. The county handles courts and jail. They work together but keep separate records.

Huntsville Police Department Contact Info

The Huntsville Police Department runs a dedicated Records Division. This is where you go to get copies of police reports.

Records Division Address:
815 Wheeler Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35801

Phone: 256-427-7020

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM. The department itself operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but records staff works regular business hours.

You can also reach the City Clerk for general open records requests:

City Clerk Office:
308 Fountain Circle
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: 256-427-5090
Contact: Belinda Sons

The Records Division is separate from the City Clerk. For police reports, contact Records directly. For other city records or open records requests, go through the Clerk.

How to Request Huntsville Police Records

There are several ways to get police records from Huntsville PD. Pick the one that works best for your situation.

In Person

Go to the Records Division at 815 Wheeler Avenue. Bring your ID. Tell them what report you need. Pay the fee. They may have it ready while you wait, or it could take a few days.

By Mail or Fax

Download the Police Records Request form from the Huntsville city website. Fill it out completely. Include payment for the fee. Mail it to the Records Division address above. You can also fax the form if you prefer.

Online Portal

Huntsville uses a JustFOIA portal for open records requests. Go to huntsvilleal.justfoia.com/publicportal to submit requests online. This system tracks your request and sends updates. It is convenient for general records but may not cover all police report types.

Allow 72 hours for any request to be processed. Some reports take longer if they are still under investigation or need supervisor review.

What You Can Get

Not every part of a police report is public. Here is what Huntsville releases:

• Front page of the Alabama Uniform Incident/Offense Report
• Traffic accident reports
• Criminal case reports (basic info)

The back page of incident reports is not available to the public. Supplements and investigation notes are also withheld. This is to protect ongoing cases and privacy. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives citizens the right to access public records, but some police documents are exempt.

Huntsville Police Record Fees

Huntsville keeps its fees simple and reasonable.

Accident and Traffic Reports: $10 per copy

Payment Methods:

• Cash
• Credit card
• Check made payable to City of Huntsville

For mail requests, include a check or money order with your form. Do not send cash through the mail. Credit cards are only accepted in person or through the online portal.

If you need certified copies for court, there may be extra fees. Ask the Records Division about certification when you place your request.

Alabama Residency Requirement

Starting October 1, 2024, Alabama requires you to be a state resident to request public records. This applies to police records in Huntsville.

You will need to show proof of Alabama residency. Accepted forms of ID include:

• Alabama driver's license
• ALEA digital driver's license
• Alabama non-driver ID card
• Government employee ID (state or local)
• Alabama college or university ID

Bring one of these when you visit the Records Division. For mail or online requests, you may need to include a copy of your ID.

This residency rule is state law. Huntsville cannot waive it. If you are not an Alabama resident, you may need to hire a local attorney to make the request on your behalf.

How to Get Huntsville Crash Reports

Car accidents in Huntsville generate crash reports. These are different from incident reports. If you were in a wreck, you will want this document for insurance claims.

The $10 fee covers crash reports. Allow 72 hours after the accident before requesting. The officer needs time to file the report.

To request a crash report, you will need:

• Date and location of the accident
• Names of drivers involved
• Case number if you have it

For accidents on state highways near Huntsville, ALEA troopers may have responded instead of city police. Those reports go through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. You can order ALEA crash reports online for $17.

Not sure who handled your accident? Call Huntsville PD Records at 256-427-7020. They can tell you if they have a report on file.

Background Checks in Huntsville

Huntsville PD does not run full criminal background checks. Those go through ALEA at the state level.

For a criminal history check, contact:

ALEA Criminal Justice Information Services
301 S. Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 1-866-740-4762

Online background checks cost $15. Mail requests cost $25. You need fingerprints for the most complete check.

Madison County also runs background checks through the sheriff's office. Contact them at 256-533-8847 for local options.

Employers in Huntsville often use third party services. These companies pull records from multiple sources. Just know that ALEA has the official state criminal history database.

Huntsville Area Jail and Inmate Search

People arrested by Huntsville police go to the Madison County Detention Center. The city does not run its own jail. All bookings happen at the county level.

You can search for inmates online at the Madison County Sheriff website. The roster updates daily and shows:

• Inmate name and photo
• Charges filed
• Bond amount
• Booking date

The detention center is located at 815 Wheeler Avenue, the same building as HPD headquarters. For inmate questions, call the jail at 256-532-3640.

Bond amounts are set by the court. The sheriff's office just holds people. For questions about specific charges or court dates, contact the Madison County District Attorney or the Circuit Clerk.

Your Rights Under Alabama Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives every Alabama resident the right to inspect and copy public records. This includes many police records.

However, not all police records are public. Active investigations can be withheld. Security information stays confidential. Juvenile records are protected. Personal details like home addresses and Social Security numbers get redacted.

Alabama law does not set a deadline for agencies to respond. Huntsville tries to process requests quickly, but complex requests take longer. You can follow up by phone if your request is taking too long.

If your request is denied, you have options. You can appeal within the department first. If that fails, you can sue in circuit court. There is no state agency that handles appeals.

Nearby Cities with Police Records

Looking for police records from other cities in the area? Here are nearby Alabama cities with their own police departments:

Madison is a separate city from Huntsville, even though both are in Madison County. They have different police departments and different records systems. Make sure you contact the right one.

Search Huntsville Records Now

Use the search tool below to find police records, arrest information, and criminal history in Huntsville.