Madison City DUI Records
Madison DUI records are kept by the Municipal Court and Madison County Circuit Court. The city has about 64,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing in Alabama. Madison is in Madison County near Huntsville. Do not confuse Madison the city with Madison the county. Misdemeanor DUI arrests go to the city Municipal Court. Felony DUI cases are handled by the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court.
Madison Quick Facts
Madison Municipal Court
Madison Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The court is at 100 Hughes Road in Madison. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. You can call (256) 772-5617 to check on a DUI case or ask about court dates. Staff can help you find case info and explain procedures.
Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191, first through third DUI offenses are misdemeanors. These cases stay at the Municipal Court level unless injury is involved. A fourth DUI within ten years is a felony. Those cases go to Madison County Circuit Court in Huntsville.
| Court | Madison Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Hughes Road Madison, AL 35758 |
| Phone | (256) 772-5617 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Madison Municipal Court |
The court processes DUI cases for Madison residents and anyone arrested for DUI within city limits. The city has seen rapid growth in recent years. Court case volume has grown too. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person to check wait times for DUI records in Madison.
Madison DUI Penalties
Madison follows Alabama state penalties for DUI offenses. The maximum penalties are set by state law. First offense DUI can bring up to one year in jail and a $2,100 fine. This is the maximum. Actual sentences depend on the case facts and any prior record. The judge has some room to decide within these limits.
Second offense DUI: up to one year in jail and $5,100 fine. A minimum jail term of 48 hours to one year applies. Third offense DUI: up to one year in jail and $10,100 fine. A minimum of 60 days in jail is required for third offense. Fourth offense is a felony with one to ten years in prison. These penalties apply to all DUI cases in Madison.
Beyond fines and jail time, DUI convictions bring other consequences. License suspension is automatic. First offense: 90 days. Second: one year. Third or more: three years. The $275 reinstatement fee must be paid. Ignition interlock may be required. Insurance rates will go up after a DUI conviction in Madison.
Madison Police Records
Madison Police Department keeps arrest records for all DUI cases they handle. The records division phone is (256) 772-5685. Email is records@madisonal.org. You can request arrest reports and case details from this office. Visit madisonal.gov/494/Records for more info on requesting records.
Police records show different information than court records. The arrest record has the date, time, location, and charges at booking. It shows the arresting officer and any test results. Court records show what happened after the arrest. You may need records from both sources to get the full picture of a DUI case in Madison.
Some records require a written request. The police department can tell you what forms to fill out. Processing time varies based on the type of request. Simple record checks are faster than detailed case file requests. Call ahead to ask about current wait times for DUI records in Madison.
How to Search Madison DUI Records
You can search for DUI records in Madison through several sources. Online searches provide basic case info. In-person visits let you see full court files. Each source has different data on DUI cases in Madison.
Alacourt is the state court records system that covers Madison County. It has both Municipal Court and Circuit Court cases. Search by name or case number at pa.alacourt.com. The fee is $9.99 per name search. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
To search DUI records in Madison, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if available
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number if known
Madison County Circuit Court requires a records request form for some searches. Find the form at madisoncountycircuitclerk.org. Submit the form with the required fee. The clerk will search and send results. This works for both city and county court DUI records.
Madison County DUI Records
Felony DUI cases for Madison go to Madison County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Debra Kizer. The office is at 100 Northside Square in Huntsville. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Call (256) 532-3380 to ask about DUI records from the Madison area.
A DUI becomes a felony after four convictions within ten years. Felony DUI is a Class C offense. The Circuit Court also handles DUI cases with serious injury or death. Madison County uses the same circuit court as Huntsville. All felony DUI records for Madison city are kept at the Huntsville courthouse.
The court website is at madison.alacourt.gov. Public access computers are available by appointment only. Call ahead to schedule time if you want to search records in person at the county level.
Madison Driving Records
Your driving record shows DUI convictions and license actions. A DUI conviction in Madison appears on your motor vehicle record. The record shows any license suspension tied to the DUI. The Alabama Driver License Division keeps these records statewide.
Get your driving record at alabamadl.alea.gov. The fee is $5.75 for a standard MVR. The record shows convictions, points, and license status. DUI convictions add 6 points to your license. Breath test refusals also appear. Employers check MVRs when hiring for driving jobs in Madison.
After a DUI conviction in Madison, you must pay the $275 reinstatement fee. You may need to complete a DUI program. An ignition interlock device may be required. These rules apply to all DUI cases regardless of whether the case was in Municipal Court or Circuit Court.
Alabama DUI Laws
Alabama DUI law applies the same way in Madison as across the state. Under Code Section 32-5A-191, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. These limits apply to all DUI cases in Madison.
The 10-year look-back period matters a lot. Alabama counts all DUI convictions within ten years for offense level. A 2017 DUI still counts if you get another in 2027. This applies to any Alabama court including Madison. Out-of-state DUI convictions may count depending on circumstances.
DUI convictions are permanent in Alabama. They cannot be expunged under the REDEEMER Act (Code Section 15-27-1). This means a DUI conviction will stay on your record forever. Only dismissed cases or acquittals may qualify for expungement. Convictions cannot be removed.
State Criminal Records
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps the central database of all DUI convictions. This includes Madison DUI records. ALEA records show convictions, not arrests. Request records at alea.gov. The fee is $25.00 for a criminal history check.
Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days. The record shows all Alabama convictions including DUI charges from Madison. The ALEA database is the official source for criminal history. Background checks for jobs typically use this system.
Legal Help in Madison
Several groups offer legal help for DUI cases in Madison. Some give free help to people with low income. Others charge fees. Talking to a lawyer helps you understand your options for a DUI case.
Legal Services Alabama serves the Madison area. They provide free legal help to those who qualify. Call (866) 456-4995 to check eligibility. The Madison County Bar Association can refer you to a DUI lawyer. Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has court forms you may need.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court must appoint one for criminal cases including DUI. Contact the Municipal Court or Circuit Court clerk about public defenders. The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660 for finding a private attorney who handles DUI cases in Madison.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Madison and also have DUI records at the local level. Each city has its own municipal court for misdemeanor cases. Felony DUI cases go to the county circuit court based on where the arrest occurred.