Huntsville Arrest Records

Law enforcement in the City of Huntsville is authorized by law to arrest and detain persons suspected of committing crimes in the city. Huntsville arrest records are generated by the arresting agents, such as the Huntsville Police Department, and document the arrests in the city. The Madison County Metro Jail, operated by the Madison County Sheriff, handles detention services for the Huntsville Police Department.

As the law enforcement agency in charge of generating arrest records, the Huntsville Police Department also maintains these records and responds to public record requests. Huntsville arrest records are included in Madison County arrest records for when the arrest led to a trial. Criminal history information in the custody of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is also a valid source for Huntsville arrest records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Huntsville?

The Alabama Open Records Law classifies arrest records as public information. This means that, unless a record is exempt by law, the general public may request, inspect, and copy arrest records. However, some records may be classified as confidential and restricted from public access.
Examples of these records include the following:

• Records that could prove detrimental to the public interest
• Information concerning pending or ongoing criminal investigations
• Arrest records and other records from the Juvenile Court
• Medical records and other hospital records
• Information under attorney-client privilege

Huntsville Arrest Statistics

Huntsville Police Department submits its yearly crime data to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Database. According to the arrest data, in 2023, the police department reported 3920 arrests, including the following. 743 arrests for drugs/narcotics offenses, 504 arrests for DUI offenses, 400 arrests for simple assaults, 332arrests for larceny, 188 arrests for disorderly conduct, 92 arrests for aggravated assault, 88 arrests for vandalism, 43 arrests for fraud, 37 arrests for burglary, 21 arrests for robbery, 21 arrests for weapons violations, 14 arrests for motor vehicle theft, and eight arrests for homicide.

Suspects arrested by the Huntsville Police Department are booked and housed at the Madison County Jail located at:

Madison County Detention Center
Physical Address:
815 Wheeler Ave
Huntsville, AL 35801

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2047
Huntsville, AL 35804

Find Huntsville Arrest Records

The options available for finding Huntsville arrest records and inmate information include the following:

• Contact the Huntsville Police Department directly by visiting their Precinct Locations in person or calling their general information lines at (256) 427-7009 or (256) 427-7114.
• Record seekers may also contact the booking office of the Madison County Sheriff's jail/booking department at (256) 519-4800.
• The Madison County Jail serves as Huntsville's main detention center and provides an online Inmate Roster that displays records of current inmates and inmates released in the last 48 hours.

Huntsville Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Huntsville arrest records and criminal records are legal documents recording aspects of an individual's criminal history. Huntsville arrest records are generated and maintained by the arresting agencies, which record the events concerning an individual's arrest. A standard arrest record includes the suspect's name, physical description, mugshot, fingerprints, crimes committed, charges filed, booking details, arresting agency, arrest location, and booking details.

Criminal records, on the other hand, are more comprehensive and will include different documents as well as arrest records. Typically, a criminal record will contain arrest records, court records including case details, verdict, and sentencing details such as prison and supervision time.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Huntsville?

In Huntsville, Alabama, arrest records will remain on an individual's records indefinitely unless steps are taken to remove them. Residents who qualify may apply for expungements, which effectively remove an arrest from a record. To qualify for an expungement, certain conditions must be met. For example, in Alabama, expungements are generally available for arrests that resulted in non-convictions after the applicant has completed all court requirements and a waiting period.

Huntsville Arrest Warrants

Alabama Code § 15-7-4 defines an arrest warrant as an order in writing issued and signed by a judge or magistrate stating the issue of a complaint and directed to an appropriate officer commanding them to arrest the subject of the warrant and bring them before the judge.

For a warrant to be issued in Huntsville, Alabama, the judge or magistrate must receive a complaint, usually from law enforcement. The judge will examine the complainant and any witnesses under oath and take their depositions in writing, setting down the facts of the complaint. When the judge is satisfied with the evidence within the deposition that a crime was committed and there is reasonable ground to believe the defendant is guilty, they will issue the arrest warrant.

Arrest warrants issued in Huntsville, Alabama, generally contain the following information:

• The name of the defendant
• The crime committed, either by description or designation
• A command to law enforcement instructing them to arrest the defendant and bring them before the judge
• The date, time, and location(county) where the warrant was issued
• The name, title, and signature of the judge or magistrate who issued it

Do Huntsville Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Huntsville, Alabama, typically do not expire. They remain active indefinitely unless they are executed by arresting the defendant or quashed/recalled by the issuing court. Even if the statute of limitations for the crime that required the warrant has passed, the warrant may still be executed.

Expunge Huntsville Arrest Records

To expunge a record in Huntsville, Alabama, it must meet certain criteria, and the applicant must endure a waiting period. These conditions will depend on the type of offense to be expunged and if the applicant has completed all sentences and court requirements.

It should be noted that several offenses in Alabama, as listed below, do not qualify for expungement under any circumstances:

• Violent offenses like murder, assault, and kidnapping
• Sex offenses like rape, sexual assault, and assault on minors
• Terrorism
• Serious traffic offenses such as DUI, reckless driving, homicide by vehicle, and Ignition Interlock violation

For non-conviction arrests for most crimes, including misdemeanors and felonies, the applicant may qualify if they meet the following requirements:

• If the charges were dismissed, the applicant was acquitted, the prosecutors brought no charges, or the case resulted in a no-bill.
• The applicant may petition for expungement after 90 days in the above cases.
• Non-conviction felonies dismissed without prejudice require a 5-year waiting period before applying, while non-conviction misdemeanors require at least a year.
• For eligible misdemeanor convictions, the applicant must have completed all probation, parole, and any other court requirements, including fines, fees, and restitution, and show evidence of it. Three years must also have passed since the court verdict.
• Eligible felony convictions may petition for expungement 180 days after the applicant is granted a certificate of full pardon restoring all their civil and political rights.

Below are some general steps when applying for an expungement in Huntsville, Alabama:

• Obtain all the necessary documents, including a certified criminal history from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the arrest record, case summary, or court disposition. Finally, the applicant will require an affidavit under oath stating that all eligibility requirements have been met.
• File the petition and pay all filing and administrative fees. Application for expungement for Huntsville must be filed at the Madison County Circuit Court.
• Serve the local prosecutor with notice of the petition. The prosecutor may notify any victims of the offense, and they have 45 days to challenge the petition.
• If no objections are made, the judge may rule on the petition without a hearing. If there is a challenge or the judge requires more evidence, a hearing will be scheduled. At the hearing, the judge will hear testimony from both sides before they rule.
• If the petition is granted, involved parties such as the ALEA and the local law enforcement will be informed and ordered to seal the records.