Find Court Docket in Huntsville

Court docket records for Huntsville go through the Madison County Circuit Clerk. Huntsville is now the state's largest city. It grew past Birmingham in 2020 and adds about 10 new folks each day. The city is the county seat of Madison County. It sits in the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which covers just Madison County. The Clerk keeps files for civil cases, crimes, divorce, child custody, and traffic stops. You can search most records on Alacourt ACCESS. Or just stop by the Madison County Courthouse on the north side of the downtown square.

County Filing Information

Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. All court filings for Huntsville go through the Madison County Circuit Clerk. The 23rd Judicial Circuit covers just Madison County. So all circuit court work for Huntsville stays at one main courthouse.

The Madison County Circuit Court hears felony cases, civil suits over $10,000, divorce and child custody, and appeals from lower courts. District Court takes care of the rest. That means misdemeanors, civil cases under $10,000, traffic tickets, and small claims. Both courts keep their dockets with the Circuit Clerk.

The Circuit Clerk does more than just keep records. The office takes new case filings, collects fines, sends out subpoenas, and picks juries. The Clerk also runs absentee voting for Madison County. Staff can help you find a case or tell you how things work at the court.

Courthouse Information

The Madison County Courthouse sits on the old downtown square in Huntsville. The Circuit Clerk takes care of record requests and case filings there.

Requesting Records

Madison County gives you a few ways to get court records:

• In-person at the Circuit Clerk's office
• By email to circuitclerk@madisoncountyal.gov
• By US Mail to the courthouse address
• Online through Alacourt ACCESS

If you want to come in and look at records yourself, call a day ahead to set up a time. Walk-ins are fine too, just show up during work hours.

How to Search Huntsville Court Dockets

Online Search

The main way to search court records is through Alacourt ACCESS. It's the state's court records database. You can find trial court files from all 67 Alabama counties, Madison County included. Look up cases by name or case number. You pay per search, and the site shows fees before you buy.

Madison County has scanned most court records. So even old files may be there in the online system or the Clerk's database.

In-Person Search

You can go to the Madison County Courthouse and search records in person. The Clerk's office has public computers you can use. Staff will help you find cases and pull files if you need them. Bring your ID and any info you have on the case. Names, dates, or case numbers all help.

Written and Email Requests

You can also write to the Clerk by mail or email. Include all party names, rough filing dates, and what type of case it was. Mail requests need payment up front. Send emails to circuitclerk@madisoncountyal.gov. How fast they get back to you depends on how busy they are.

Fees and Costs

Madison County has set fees for court record work. The Clerk posts these rates and they cover most requests.

At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. Mail requests need payment sent with the letter. Alacourt ACCESS takes credit cards and shows the cost before you pay.

Legal Aid Resources

Huntsville has groups that give free or cheap legal help to those who qualify. They work on civil cases like family law, housing, and consumer issues.

Legal Services Alabama - Huntsville Office

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income folks. Their Huntsville office is on Airport Road.

• Address: 610 Airport Road SW, Suite 200, Huntsville, AL 35802
• Phone: (256) 536-9645
• Statewide: (866) 456-4995
• Spanish: (888) 835-3505
• Website: legalservicesalabama.org
• Cases Handled: Domestic violence divorce, custody, adoption, guardianship, housing, public benefits

Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program (MCVLP)

MCVLP hooks up low-income Madison County folks with volunteer lawyers. These attorneys work for free.

• Phone: (256) 539-2275
• Website: vlpmadisoncounty.org
• Cases Handled: Uncontested divorce, adoption, child custody and visitation, child support modifications, landlord-tenant disputes, consumer rights
• Eligibility: Household income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines
• Note: Does not handle criminal, traffic, or fee-generating cases

Huntsville Bar Association

The local bar group can help you find a lawyer in the Huntsville area.

• Address: East 228 Holmes Ave., 8th Floor, Huntsville, AL 35801-8807
• Phone: (256) 203-4900
• Website: huntsvillebar.org

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

The State Bar runs a referral line if you need to find a lawyer.

• Phone: 1-800-392-5660
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• Initial Consultation: Maximum $50 for 30 minutes

Legal Framework for Court Record Access

State law and court rules set who can see court records. If you know these rules, you'll know what you can get and what's off limits.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40

This law says Alabama residents can look at and copy public records, court files included. A 2024 change now means you must prove you live in Alabama. Show an Alabama driver license, state ID, or voter card. The law leans toward letting people see records. If there's doubt, courts should let the public in.

Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality

These rules kicked in on January 1, 2025. They list 96 types of info that must stay private. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical files, names of child crime victims, addresses of abuse victims, and trade secrets. Courts black out this info on public docs or seal whole files to keep people safe.

Sealed Records

Some records are off limits to the public. Juvenile cases stay closed under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Same goes for sealed criminal records, adoption files, and cases a judge locked up. Courts can seal files that touch on trade secrets, national security, stalking risks, or touchy family issues.

Expungement

Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 covers how to wipe criminal records clean. You may be able to expunge dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, some misdemeanors after a wait, and certain non-violent felonies. Once expunged, those records come off public access.

Nearby Major Cities

Each city's court records go through its county's Circuit Clerk. If you need files from somewhere else, check these pages.

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Use our search tool to find court docket info from Huntsville and the rest of Alabama.

Official Resources