Find Madison Bench Warrants

Madison bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not follow a court order. The Madison Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases at Hughes Road. Madison County courts handle felony and misdemeanor matters. Madison is the fastest growing city in Alabama. The population has grown from 400 residents in 1950 to over 64,000 today. This city is part of the Huntsville metro area.

What Is a Bench Warrant?

A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. The judge issues it from the bench. When you miss court or fail to follow a court order, the judge can issue a bench warrant. This is not the same as an arrest warrant for a new crime. A bench warrant is for failing to follow rules in a case that already exists.

Madison issues bench warrants for various reasons. Missing a court date is the most common. Failing to pay fines or court costs can lead to one. Not completing court-ordered programs can result in a warrant. The court takes these matters seriously.

Under Code of Alabama § 15-10-60, a bench warrant directs law enforcement to arrest the named person. Madison Police can arrest you any time they encounter you. Felony bench warrants never expire. They stay active until you deal with them. Misdemeanor warrants may last 180 days to one year. Courts often renew them.

Madison Municipal Court

The Madison Municipal Court handles city ordinance cases. Traffic tickets, noise complaints, and code violations go here. The court is at 100 Hughes Road. This is the same location as Madison Police and City Hall. Judges issue bench warrants when people miss their court dates.

Call the court to check if you have a warrant. Staff can look up your name and tell you your status. They explain what you need to do. You may get a new court date. You may need to pay fines first. Each case is different.

City vs County Bench Warrants

Madison has two court systems that handle different cases. City warrants and county warrants are not the same. The type of charge determines which court handles your case. Knowing this helps you clear your warrant faster.

Madison Municipal Court handles city matters only. Traffic tickets issued by Madison Police go here. Noise complaints go here. City code issues go here. These are less serious offenses. Jail time is limited. Fines vary by violation. You clear these warrants at Municipal Court on Hughes Road.

Madison County courts handle more serious crimes. District Court deals with misdemeanors. Circuit Court handles felonies. A DUI in Madison goes to county court. Drug charges go to county court. Any felony goes to county court. For these warrants, you deal with the Madison County Circuit Clerk in Huntsville, not Madison Municipal Court.

Madison County has the same name as the city but they are separate governments. The county seat is Huntsville. The Madison County Courthouse is at 100 Northside Square in Huntsville. If you have a county-level bench warrant, that is where you go. Call the Circuit Clerk at (256) 532-3380 to check on county warrants.

How to Search for Madison Bench Warrants

You can search for bench warrants in Madison several ways. The method you use depends on what kind of warrant you think you have. Most people start with the Municipal Court. This catches most city-level warrants.

For Madison Municipal Court warrants, call (256) 772-5617. Give them your name. They can tell you if a warrant exists. You can also visit in person at 100 Hughes Road. Bring a valid photo ID. Court staff can look up your case and explain your options.

For county-level warrants, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This state system covers Madison County court records. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status and charges. If a bench warrant exists in your case, it may show here. The search does not show all warrant types. Phone calls may be needed.

Madison County has a Warrant Magistrate you can contact. Call (256) 532-3611 for warrant information. The Sheriff's office at (256) 532-3410 can also check for active warrants in the county system.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has a limited fugitive search at app.alea.gov. This shows only select felony fugitives. Most Madison bench warrants will not appear there. It is not a full warrant database.

How to Clear a Madison Bench Warrant

Clearing a bench warrant in Madison takes planning. Do not ignore it. The warrant stays on your record until you handle it. Police can arrest you at a traffic stop or anywhere they run your name. Taking care of it yourself gives you control over the outcome.

For Madison Municipal Court warrants, call (256) 772-5617 first. Ask about your case status. Find out what you owe or need to do. The court may give you a new date. You may need to pay past fines before getting rescheduled. Go to your new court date and deal with the matter.

Be prepared when you go to court. Bring ID. Bring any paperwork from your case. Dress appropriately. The judge will hear your situation. You may pay a fine. You may get probation. The outcome depends on the charge and your history.

For county bench warrants, contact the Madison County Circuit Clerk at (256) 532-3380. Ask about your case. You may need to arrange a bond hearing. Some people turn themselves in at the Sheriff's office. They go through booking, post bond, and get a court date. This is often better than getting picked up at a random stop.

Consider a lawyer for serious charges. An attorney can contact the court for you. They may get better outcomes. For simple traffic matters, you can usually handle them yourself. For felony warrants, legal help makes a big difference.

Madison Police Department

The Madison Police Department is at the same location as Municipal Court and City Hall. Officers can run warrant checks during any contact. If you have a bench warrant, police can arrest you at a traffic stop or any encounter.

Madison Police work with other agencies in the area. They share warrant information with Huntsville Police and the Madison County Sheriff. Any of these agencies can arrest you on an active warrant. Clear it on your own terms.

Madison Bench Warrant Fees

Fees for bench warrants in Madison vary by case. The original fine, court costs, and late fees add up. The longer you wait, the more it can cost. Deal with warrants quickly to keep costs down.

Common Madison Municipal Court fees include:

• Traffic violations: $20 to $500 depending on offense
• Court costs: Added to all cases
• Failure to appear fee: May be added
• Bond amounts: Set by judge based on offense

If you cannot pay, ask about options. Madison Municipal Court may offer payment plans. Some cases allow community service instead of fines. Talk to court staff about what is possible. Do not let money problems stop you from clearing your warrant.

For county court fees, call the Madison County Circuit Clerk. County fees are typically higher than city fees. AlacourtAccess charges $9.99 per name search. Copy fees run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more.

Madison County Bench Warrants

Madison is in Madison County. The county seat is Huntsville. The 23rd Judicial Circuit serves this area. Madison County is the third most populous in Alabama with over 388,000 residents. All felony and misdemeanor cases from Madison go through the Madison County court system.

Madison County charges specific fees for court records. Copies cost $5 for the first 20 pages, then 50 cents for each additional page. Certifications cost $5. A computerized search costs $10. A paper search costs $20. These fees apply to records requests from the Circuit Clerk.

Madison and Huntsville Connection

Madison sits next to Huntsville. These cities share Madison County and work together on many services. If you have warrants in both cities, you need to check both court systems. Madison Municipal Court handles Madison cases. Huntsville Municipal Court handles Huntsville cases.

Many people live in Madison and work in Huntsville. Some people get citations in both cities. Each city keeps its own warrant records. A warrant from Huntsville does not show up when you call Madison court. Check both if you have had cases in both places.

Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama. It is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. The population is over 230,000. Together, Madison and Huntsville form the core of North Alabama's tech corridor.

State Resources for Warrant Searches

Alabama has statewide tools for court record searches. These cover all 67 counties including Madison County. The state system is called Alacourt. It provides online access to case information.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com is the main public portal. Search court records from across Alabama. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case status, charges, and court dates. This is a quick way to check for Madison-area warrants from home.

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts runs the system. Contact them at 1-866-954-9411 for questions about statewide records. Their office is at 300 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.

For a full criminal background check, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency charges $25. You must submit fingerprints. This shows all criminal history on file with the state. It is more thorough than a name search. Apply through alea.gov.

Legal Help in Madison

If you have a bench warrant in Madison, legal help may be useful. A lawyer can advise you on your options. They can talk to the court for you. For serious charges, an attorney makes a real difference.

Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents with legal matters. They have an office in Huntsville that serves the Madison area. Call the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about services. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info.

The Madison County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. The Alabama State Bar runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. For simple traffic warrants, you may not need a lawyer. For serious charges, get help.

If you cannot afford a lawyer and face criminal charges, ask for a public defender. Tell the judge at your first court appearance. The court checks your income. If you qualify, they assign a lawyer at no cost to you.

Nearby Cities

Madison is part of the Huntsville metro area. If you have had cases in nearby cities, check those courts too. Each city has its own municipal court.

• Huntsville - Largest city in Alabama, directly adjacent
• Decatur - About 20 miles west in Morgan County