Find Madison Police Records

Police records in Madison come from the Madison Police Department, one of the faster growing forces in north Alabama. The city is separate from Huntsville and has its own police department serving Madison County residents. Records requests go through the Police Department, which posts weekly incident reports online for public viewing. The department handles crime reports, collision reports, and background checks. Fees are low and involved parties often pay nothing. This page covers where to get records, the costs, and what types of reports you can access.

Madison County Handles City Cases

The City of Madison is located in Madison County, Alabama. Criminal cases from the city get processed through the county court system.

Madison County Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions. The courthouse is in Huntsville, the county seat. It takes about 15 minutes to drive there from Madison.

Misdemeanor cases may go through Madison Municipal Court, which handles minor offenses locally. Traffic tickets and small crimes often stay at this level.

When Madison police arrest someone, the person goes to the Madison County Detention Center. The address is 815 Wheeler Avenue in Huntsville. The sheriff runs this facility and maintains booking records.

Do not confuse the City of Madison with Madison County. They share a name but are different. The city is one of many municipalities in the county. Huntsville is the largest city in Madison County, but Madison (the city) has its own police force.

Court records are separate from police records. The Madison County Circuit Clerk keeps case files after charges are filed. Police records stay with the Madison Police Department. Contact the right office for what you need.

Madison Police Department Contact Information

The Madison Police Department handles records requests for city incidents. Here is their contact information.

Police Department Address:
Madison Police Department
100 Hughes Road
Madison, AL 35758

Records Phone: (256) 772-5685

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Call the records number to start a request or check on status. Staff can tell you what records exist and how to get them.

Records can be emailed or faxed to you upon request. This is convenient if you cannot come in person.

How to Request Police Records in Madison

Madison makes it fairly easy to get police records. Here is the process.

By Phone

Call the Records line at (256) 772-5685. Tell them what report you need. Provide the date of the incident and names of people involved. They can look up if the record exists.

For simple requests, they may be able to email or fax the report to you. This saves a trip to the station.

In Person

Visit the police department at 100 Hughes Road. Bring your ID. Tell the staff what you need. If the report is ready, you can get a copy right there.

By Email or Fax

Madison allows requests to be submitted remotely. Contact the department for the current email address and fax number. Write out what you need with details like the incident date, location, and names.

Online Access

Madison posts weekly incident reports online. These are initial reports showing recent activity. You can view them on the city website at madisonal.gov. Look under the Police Department section for the Incident Reports Archive.

The online reports are summaries. They show what happened where. For full reports, you still need to make a formal request.

Who Can Get Madison Police Records

Madison has rules about who can access certain records. Not everything is open to anyone.

Crime Reports: Victims named in the report can get copies. If you were the victim of a crime in Madison, you have access to that report.

Collision Reports: Several categories of people can get crash reports:

• Drivers involved in the collision
• Registered owners of vehicles involved
• Parties who were injured
• Property owners whose property was damaged
• Insurance companies (for $5 fee)

The general public cannot just walk in and get any police report. You need to be involved in the incident or have authorization.

Insurance companies and attorneys can access reports with proper documentation. They pay a $5 fee for authorized third-party requests.

This is more restrictive than some Alabama cities. The limitation aims to protect privacy while still allowing involved parties to get what they need.

Madison Police Records Fees

Madison has some of the lowest fees around. Involved parties often pay nothing.

Fee Schedule:

• Involved parties: Free
• Authorized third parties (insurance, etc.): $5

If you were the victim, driver, or property owner in an incident, your copy is free. No charge at all.

Insurance companies and other authorized requesters pay $5. This covers processing and copies.

This fee structure is unusual. Most Alabama cities charge everyone $5 to $10 per report. Madison waives fees for people directly involved.

Payment is simple. Cash works. So do checks made to the City of Madison. Ask about credit cards when you visit or call.

Alabama Public Records Law

Alabama law provides a framework for accessing police records. The City of Madison operates within these rules.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 grants every citizen the right to inspect and copy public writings. Police records generally qualify as public writings.

Exemptions apply. Active investigations may be withheld. Juvenile records are sealed. Home addresses and Social Security numbers get redacted. These exemptions balance public access with privacy concerns.

Madison adds its own restrictions. They limit who can get certain reports based on involvement in the incident. This goes beyond state law requirements. The city has discretion to add such policies.

Alabama residency is required for public records requests. Show a valid Alabama driver's license or state ID. This statewide rule has been in effect since 2024.

There is no set deadline for response in Alabama law. Madison typically processes requests within 4 to 5 business days. Complex searches take longer.

Processing Time for Records

Madison provides specific timing for records requests. Know what to expect.

Reports need 4 to 5 business days for approval and data entry. After an incident, the officer writes the report. A supervisor reviews it. The record gets entered into the system. Then it becomes available.

Simple requests for existing reports process faster if you come in person. Call first to confirm your report is ready.

The weekly incident reports online update regularly. These are summaries only. Full reports still take the standard processing time.

If you need a report urgently, explain your situation when you call. Staff may be able to prioritize certain requests. Insurance deadlines and legal needs sometimes get expedited handling.

Call (256) 772-5685 to check status anytime. They can tell you where your request stands.

Online Incident Report Archive

Madison publishes weekly incident reports online. This is a useful resource for seeing recent activity.

The archive is on the city website. Go to madisonal.gov and find the Police Department section. Look for the Incident Reports Archive link.

These reports show:

• Type of incident (theft, assault, accident, etc.)
• Date and time
• General location
• Brief description

The online reports are initial summaries. They are based on first reports and may get updated as investigations progress. They provide a snapshot of police activity in Madison.

For full details, you need the actual police report. The online archive is a starting point, not a substitute for formal records requests.

Madison County Resources

Some records come from county offices rather than the city police department.

Madison County Circuit Court:
Madison County Courthouse
100 Northside Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 532-3400

Madison County Detention Center:
815 Wheeler Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 532-3610

Madison County Sheriff:
Main Office: (256) 722-7181
Inmate search available online

The sheriff website has a jail roster. Search by name to find current inmates. This includes anyone arrested by Madison city police who is being held at the county facility.

Court records for prosecuted criminal cases come from the Circuit Clerk. They handle case files, judgments, and sentencing documents.

Legal Assistance in Madison

Need legal help with records or other matters? Options exist in the area.

Madison County Bar Association:
Attorney referrals for the Huntsville-Madison area

Legal Services Alabama:
Free civil legal help for qualifying low-income residents
Phone: 1-866-456-4995

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral:
Website: alabar.org
Statewide service

Lawyers can help if you have trouble accessing records. They also handle expungement and record sealing requests.

Police Records in Nearby Cities

Madison sits next to Huntsville. Several other cities are in the region.

Each city has its own police department and records process. Fees and procedures differ. Check the specific city page for details.

Search Police Records Now

Use the search tool to find police records in Madison and throughout Alabama.