Madison County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Madison County was established in the year 1898 and named after the U.S. 4th president, James Madison. Its county seat and largest city is the City of Huntsville. Madison County occupies a land area of 802 square miles in the north-central part of Alabama. About 389,700 residents live in the county as of 2022. The judicial system in Madison County consists of four trial courts, including the Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal Courts.

Alabama's 23rd Judicial Circuit Court serves as the apex trial court in Madison County. The general jurisdiction court can hear all legal matters outside the purview of other lower courts. Felony-related trials, capital murder cases, and civil disputes involving more than $20,000 in financial settlements are exclusive to the Circuit Court. Residents can approach the county's apex trial court to appeal judgments and decisions from District, Probate, and Municipal Courts. The Madison County District Court handles civil actions in which the financial disputes are less than $20,000. It also hears criminal proceedings involving misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and certain felonies that do not include death penalties. The District Court has a Juvenile Division tasked with presiding over juvenile-related legal cases. Madison County's Probate Court has general jurisdiction over name changes, administration of estates, probate of wills, adoption cases, involuntary commitments, conservatorships, and guardianship cases. The following Municipal Courts handle ordinance violations and traffic infractions.

• Gurley
• Huntsville
• Madison
• New Hope
• Owen Cross Roads
• Triana

The Circuit Court in Madison County witnessed about 12,900 case filings in 2019, while the District Court handled 32,692 cases in the same year. Larceny and burglary are common crimes in the county. According to the Crime in Alabama Data, the county's law enforcement agencies report at least 8,000+ larceny thefts and 2,000+ burglaries yearly. The Madison County Circuit Clerk maintains court records created in the District and the Circuit Courts. To obtain copies of case files, requesters should complete and submit request forms by mail or in person. Court Clerks in Madison County and other Alabama municipalities restrict access to confidential and sealed court documents. Only special court orders or permission will ensure access to such files.

In summary, Madison County upholds the rule of law through its court system, which includes the Circuit, District, and Municipal Courts. These courts manage a wide range of legal matters efficiently and fairly. Court documents are also accessible to the public to promote trust and transparency in the justice system.