Madison City Booking Reports
Madison booking reports are maintained by the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Madison Police make arrests within city limits and transport individuals to the county jail for booking. The sheriff's staff create the official booking record during intake. You can search for current inmates online through the county's jail roster.
Madison Quick Facts
Where Madison Booking Reports Are Kept
The Madison County Sheriff's Office maintains all booking reports for Madison. Like most Alabama cities, Madison does not operate its own jail. City police arrest people within city limits. They then transport those individuals to the county facility for booking and detention.
The sheriff's office creates the official booking record during the intake process. This record includes personal information, charges, mugshot, and bond amount. The county maintains these records as required by Code of Alabama § 36-22-8. The law mandates public access to jail books during office hours.
| Sheriff's Office | Madison County Sheriff |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Northside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 722-7181 |
| Online Roster | www.madisoncountysheriffal.org |
Madison Police Department
The Madison Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Officers respond to calls, investigate crimes, and make arrests. When an arrest occurs, the officer creates an arrest report documenting the incident. This is separate from the booking report created at the county jail.
After an arrest, Madison Police transport the individual to the Madison County jail. The sheriff's staff take over from there. They complete the booking process including fingerprints, photographs, and entering data into the system. The booking report becomes part of the county's records, not the city's.
For questions about the arrest itself, contact Madison Police. For questions about booking status, jail conditions, or release information, contact the Madison County Sheriff. Each agency has different responsibilities and maintains different records. The city website is at www.madisonal.gov.
How to Search Madison Booking Reports Online
The Madison County Sheriff provides free online access to current inmate information. You can search without creating an account or paying any fees. The system shows everyone currently in custody plus recent releases. This includes people arrested in Madison by city police.
To search for booking reports, visit www.madisoncountysheriffal.org. Look for the inmate search or jail roster section. Enter the person's name to see if they appear. Results show booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Most entries include mugshot photographs.
If you cannot find someone online, they may have already been released. Online rosters typically show only current inmates. For historical booking information, contact the sheriff's office directly at (256) 722-7181. Staff can search archived records that may not appear online.
Madison Booking Report Fees
Searching the online jail roster is free. You can check if someone is in custody without paying anything. This applies to all Madison residents using the Madison County system. Phone status checks are also free during business hours.
Fees apply when you need official copies of records. General fee guidelines include:
- Online roster search: Free
- Phone status check: Free
- Copy of booking record: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5 to $25 depending on type
State-level background checks through ALEA cost $25 and require fingerprint submission. Court records through Alacourt Access cost $9.99 per name search. These alternatives show records beyond what the county jail roster provides. Visit pa.alacourt.com for court records.
Madison's Rapid Growth
The City of Madison has tripled in population since 1990. It is one of the wealthiest cities in Alabama with a median household income of $107,330. This growth parallels Huntsville's expansion and the aerospace industry boom in the region.
Madison was originally called "Madison Station" when the railroad arrived in 1856. A Civil War battle occurred here on May 17, 1864. Today the city is known for excellent schools and family-friendly neighborhoods. The Rocket City Trash Pandas minor league baseball team plays at Toyota Field.
Madison City uses the same Madison County Sheriff's Office as Huntsville for booking reports. Both cities share the same county jail and inmate search system. The SmartWEB roster shows bookings from throughout Madison County regardless of which city made the arrest.
Alabama Booking Report Laws
Alabama law requires booking reports to be public records. Code of Alabama § 36-22-8 mandates that sheriffs maintain a public record book for all prisoners. This includes people arrested by Madison Police and booked at the county jail.
Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to inspect public records. You do not need to explain why you want the information. However, Alabama is one of only seven states that limits this right to state residents. Out-of-state requests may be denied.
Some records have privacy restrictions. Juvenile records are confidential under § 12-15-133. Records of ongoing investigations may be withheld until the case concludes. Expunged records must be removed from public access. The Madison County Sheriff follows all state requirements when handling records requests.
Madison County Booking Records
Madison is located in Madison County. All booking reports for Madison arrests go through the county sheriff's office. For complete information about the county jail, fees, and procedures, visit the Madison County page.
Other Major Alabama Cities
These are the other major cities in Alabama with populations over 50,000. Each uses its county sheriff for booking reports. Select a city to learn about jail access in that area.