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Madison Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Madison, Alabama?

Arrest records in Madison, Alabama are public documents pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that all public writings are open to inspection by any member of the public during regular business hours. The law specifically states that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."

The Madison Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to arrest records promotes governmental transparency and accountability while allowing citizens to remain informed about law enforcement activities within their community. Certain exceptions may apply to juvenile records or cases under active investigation as provided by Alabama Code § 12-15-133.

Individuals seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is public, the use of such information is regulated by both state and federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) which governs how arrest record information may be used for employment, housing, or credit purposes.

How to Look Up Madison Arrest Records in 2025

Madison residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through several official channels established by municipal authorities. The Madison Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides multiple methods for public access in compliance with Alabama Code § 36-12-40.

Methods available for obtaining arrest records in Madison include:

In-person requests at the Madison Police Department Records Division, located at 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Online access through the Madison Police Department's official records portal, which provides digital copies of recent arrest reports.
Written requests submitted via postal mail to: Records Division, Madison Police Department, 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought.
Requests through the Madison Municipal Court for arrest records related to cases within their jurisdiction at 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to Madison City Ordinance § 42-7 and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested. Standard processing time is 5-7 business days, though expedited service may be available for an additional fee as permitted by Alabama Code § 36-12-41.

Contents of a Madison Arrest Record

Madison arrest records contain standardized information as required by Alabama Code § 15-4-1 et seq. and Madison Police Department Policy Directive 16-3. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's arrest and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system.

A standard Madison arrest record includes the following elements:

Subject identification information, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Alabama Code citations
Name, badge number, and department of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including fingerprints and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Property inventory detailing items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest
Initial appearance information, including bail determination and court dates
Detention facility assignment, if applicable

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-4-2, arrest records must be completed within 12 hours of the arrest and filed with the appropriate court of jurisdiction. The Madison Police Department maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats in accordance with state records retention schedules.

Legal Uses of Madison Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Madison authorities may be utilized for specific lawful purposes as outlined in Alabama Code § 41-13-23. The Madison Police Department and Municipal Court provide these records with the understanding that they will be used in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations.

Permissible uses of Madison arrest records include:

Background screening for employment purposes, subject to the limitations imposed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Alabama employment law
Tenant screening by property owners and management companies, with proper disclosure to applicants as required by federal housing regulations
Criminal history research by licensed attorneys representing clients in criminal or civil matters
Academic and statistical research, provided that personally identifiable information is protected in accordance with institutional review board requirements
Personal safety assessments by individuals with legitimate concerns about specific persons

Users of arrest record information should be aware that an arrest does not constitute proof of guilt, as all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Misuse of arrest record information may result in civil liability under Alabama Code § 6-5-180 et seq.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Madison

The expungement process in Madison allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Madison County Circuit Court and demonstrate eligibility under state law.

Qualifying circumstances for expungement in Madison include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges being filed
Cases dismissed by prosecutors or courts prior to trial
Acquittals following trial proceedings
Successful completion of diversion programs or specialty court requirements
Certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods

The expungement petition must be filed with the Madison County Circuit Court at 100 North Side Square, Huntsville, AL 35801. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, telephone (256) 532-3300.

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the Madison Municipal Court and Police Department are required to seal all records related to the arrest and remove them from public databases within 30 days as mandated by Alabama Code § 15-27-6. Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes but are no longer available through public records requests.