Madison County DUI Records

Madison County DUI records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Huntsville. The 23rd Judicial Circuit handles all DUI cases for this major urban county in northern Alabama. Madison County is home to Huntsville, the largest city in Alabama by population. A specific records request form is required for DUI record searches. Public access computers are available by appointment only.

Madison County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all DUI records in Madison County. Debra Kizer serves as clerk. This is one of the busiest clerk offices in Alabama due to the county's large population. The office handles case filings, stores court documents, and provides copies. Staff can help you find DUI records once you submit the proper request form. The office is on Northside Square in the Huntsville courthouse.

Madison County has a specific process for record requests. You must fill out a records request form before staff will search for DUI cases. The form is available on the clerk website. Public access computers are available, but only by appointment. Call ahead to schedule time on a computer if you want to search DUI records yourself in Madison County.

Download the records request form at madisoncountycircuitclerk.org/recordsearch.pdf before visiting the office.

How to Search DUI Records

Searching Madison County DUI records requires more steps than some other counties. You can search online through Alacourt, which is the fastest option. In-person searches require completing the records request form first. Both methods give you access to DUI records going back years in Madison County.

Alacourt is the state system for court records. It includes all Madison County DUI cases. Go to pa.alacourt.com to search. A name search costs $9.99. Document images cost $5.00 for up to 20 pages. This avoids the form requirement and works faster for most people looking for Madison County DUI records.

For in-person searches at the Madison County clerk office, download and fill out the records request form first. Bring the completed form and your ID to the courthouse. Staff will search for the records you need. Public access computers require an appointment, so call ahead if you want to search on your own. This process takes more time than online searches.

What you need for a DUI record search:

• Completed records request form (for in-person)
• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if known
• Case number if available
• Year of arrest or charge

Alabama DUI Laws

Madison County courts follow state DUI laws. Under Code of Alabama § 32-5A-191, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more is illegal. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers cannot exceed 0.04%. These rules apply to all DUI cases in Madison County.

Alabama uses a 10-year look-back for DUI sentencing. Courts in Madison County check for prior offenses in the past decade. More priors mean harsher penalties. A second DUI within 10 years brings mandatory jail time. A fourth DUI becomes a felony regardless of timing. All this shows in Madison County DUI records.

DUI convictions are permanent in Alabama. They cannot be removed from your record in Madison County. The REDEEMER Act lets some charges be sealed, but not DUI convictions. Only dismissed cases may qualify for clearing from public view.

DUI Penalties in Madison County

First-time DUI offenders in Madison County face up to one year in jail. Fines can reach $2,100. Most get probation and DUI school instead. License suspension is 90 days. Judges may add community service or treatment. The city of Madison posts maximum penalties as up to one year in jail and $2,100 fine for first offense DUI.

Second offenses bring mandatory jail time in Madison County. The range is five days to one year. Fines reach $5,100. License suspension lasts one year. Third offenses require 60 days minimum with fines up to $10,100. A fourth DUI is a Class C felony with one to ten years possible. Madison County courts handle many DUI cases due to its large population.

Other costs add up fast. Court fees, probation, and classes cost money. License reinstatement is $275. Ignition interlock devices add expense. Insurance rates rise for years. A DUI in Madison County can cost thousands in total.

Madison County Sheriff

The Madison County Sheriff handles many DUI arrests on county roads. Kevin Turner serves as sheriff. Deputies patrol a large area and make traffic stops. Each DUI arrest creates records. The sheriff keeps arrest info while the court keeps case files in Madison County.

Contact the sheriff for arrest details or jail booking info. Their website has resources for the public. For court records with case outcomes, go to the Circuit Clerk instead in Madison County.

DUI Record Fees

Madison County charges standard fees for records. Online searches via Alacourt cost $9.99 per name. Document images are $5.00 for up to 20 pages. Extra pages are $0.50 each. In-person copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document.

State fees apply separately. ALEA charges $5.75 for driving records and $25.00 for criminal history checks. Call the Madison County clerk to confirm fees before requesting records.

State DUI Resources

State agencies hold DUI records beyond local storage. ALEA runs the central criminal database. The court system keeps files for all counties. These track DUI offenses statewide, including Madison County.

State resources:

• ALEA Criminal Records for background checks
• Alacourt for court case searches
• Alabama Driver License Portal for driving records
• AlaPay for court fines

DUI records are public under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40. Anyone can request them from Madison County, though the records request form is required for in-person searches.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County includes Huntsville and Madison city. Both have populations over 50,000. All DUI cases from cities in Madison County go through the county court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison County. Each has its own court system for DUI records.