Find Madison County Bench Warrants
Madison County bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear in court or does not follow a court order. The Circuit Clerk in Huntsville keeps all bench warrant records. Madison County is home to the Rocket City and has over 388,000 residents. The 23rd Judicial Circuit serves this busy county with dedicated warrant magistrates available for inquiries.
Madison County Quick Facts
What Is a Bench Warrant in Madison County?
A bench warrant is a court order for arrest. It comes from the judge's bench. When someone misses a court date, the judge issues a bench warrant. Not paying fines or breaking probation rules can also result in a bench warrant.
Bench warrants are different from arrest warrants. An arrest warrant is for a new crime. Police need evidence and probable cause to get one. A bench warrant is for not following court rules in an existing case. The judge issues it because you failed to do what the court ordered.
In Madison County, Circuit Court handles felony cases. District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters. Municipal Courts in Huntsville and Madison handle city violations. All can issue bench warrants for failure to appear.
Under Code of Alabama Section 15-10-60, a bench warrant commands law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them before the court. Felony bench warrants in Madison County never expire. Misdemeanor warrants may have time limits but courts often renew them.
Madison County and the Rocket City
Madison County is home to Huntsville, known as the Rocket City. This is where America's space program began. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal are major employers. The FBI's second headquarters is growing here too.
Many Madison County residents have security clearances for work at NASA, the Army, or defense contractors. A bench warrant can affect your clearance. It shows up on background checks. If you work in aerospace or defense, clear any warrant before it causes problems at work.
Madison County is the third most populous county in Alabama. The population keeps growing. More people means more court cases and more warrants. The courts stay busy. If you have a bench warrant, deal with it. Do not wait for a traffic stop to find out it is still active.
The city of Madison is also in Madison County. It is the fastest-growing city in Alabama. Do not confuse Madison city with Madison County. Both have their own municipal courts, but county-level warrants are handled at the Huntsville courthouse.
Madison County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Madison County. This includes bench warrants, case files, and court orders. Staff can search for warrants and provide copies. The clerk office handles a high volume of requests.
| Circuit Clerk | Debra Kizer |
|---|---|
| Address |
100 North Side Square, Room 217 Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3380 |
| Warrant Magistrate | (256) 532-3611 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | madison.alacourt.gov |
The courthouse is on the historic downtown square in Huntsville. Parking is available in nearby decks and lots. Bring a valid ID. The warrant magistrate line at (256) 532-3611 is a good first call for warrant questions.
Madison County Court Fees
Madison County has specific fees for court services. Knowing these ahead of time helps you plan.
- Copies (1-20 pages): $5.00
- Additional pages: $0.50 each
- Certified copies: $5.00
- Computerized search: $10.00
- Paper search: $20.00
- Alacourt name search: $9.99
If your bench warrant involves unpaid fines or court costs, you will owe those amounts too. The court may add fees for the warrant. Ask the clerk for a complete total before your court date.
Madison County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff keeps copies of active warrants. They execute bench warrants when they find the named person. You can call to check if a warrant exists. The Sheriff's office handles thousands of warrants each year in this busy county.
| Sheriff's Office |
Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: (256) 532-3410 |
|---|
Madison County is large and busy. The Sheriff works with Huntsville Police, Madison Police, and other agencies. If you have a bench warrant, any law enforcement officer can arrest you. This includes traffic stops anywhere in the county.
How to Search Madison County Bench Warrants
Madison County offers several ways to search for bench warrants. Pick the method that works best for you.
Call the Warrant Magistrate: Call (256) 532-3611 for warrant questions. This is a dedicated line for warrant inquiries. Have the full name and date of birth ready.
Call the Sheriff: Call (256) 532-3410 to check for active warrants. The Sheriff's office can confirm if a warrant exists.
Call the Circuit Clerk: Call (256) 532-3380 to search court records. The clerk can check for bench warrants in any case.
Alacourt Access: Search court records online at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99. Results show case details and any bench warrants issued.
Visit in Person: Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 100 North Side Square in Huntsville. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search records and provide copies.
Most bench warrant records are public under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. Some exceptions apply to juvenile and sealed records.
How to Clear a Madison County Bench Warrant
A bench warrant will not go away on its own. You must take action. The sooner you deal with it, the better. An active warrant can cause problems at work, especially if you need a security clearance.
The best option is to hire a lawyer. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant. They know the Madison County judges and how the courts work. A lawyer may help you avoid jail or get a lower bond.
You can turn yourself in without a lawyer. Go to the Madison County Jail or courthouse during business hours. Bring your ID. Tell staff you have a warrant. A judge will decide about bail.
If your warrant is for unpaid fines, be ready to discuss payment. Courts work with people who cannot pay everything at once. Ask about a payment plan. Showing up counts for a lot with judges.
If you work at Redstone Arsenal, NASA, or a defense contractor, clear your warrant quickly. Background checks happen. An active warrant will show up. Do not risk your job or clearance.
Legal Help in Madison County
If you cannot afford a lawyer, help is available in Madison County.
Legal Services Alabama: Free legal help for low-income residents. Huntsville office at 2000 Century Park Drive, Suite 3A. Call (256) 536-9645 or toll-free at (800) 371-5342.
Public Defender: If you qualify by income, the court will appoint a public defender. Ask about this when you first appear.
Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association: Lawyer referral service. Some attorneys offer low-cost first meetings.
Alabama State Court Resources
These state resources can help with Madison County bench warrant matters.
Alacourt Portal: Main court portal at alacourt.gov with forms and court info.
Alabama eForms: Free court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov.
AlaPay: Pay fines online at alapay.com.
ALEA Background Check: Get your own record from ALEA Criminal Records for $25.
Cities in Madison County
Madison County has two major cities: Huntsville and Madison. Both have their own municipal courts for city violations. County-level bench warrants are handled at the courthouse in Huntsville.
Huntsville has over 230,000 residents and is Alabama's largest city. Madison has over 64,000 residents and is the fastest-growing city in Alabama.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Madison County. Make sure you know which county issued your warrant before trying to clear it.