Huntsville Jail Roster Search
Huntsville jail roster records are held by the Madison County Sheriff's Office. This is the main source for jail data in the area. Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama with over 230,000 people. When police arrest someone in Huntsville, they are booked at the Madison County Jail. The county jail keeps all booking records and makes them open to the public. You can search the jail roster online at no cost. This guide shows how to find Huntsville jail records and what they contain.
Huntsville Quick Facts
Where Huntsville Arrests Go
People arrested in Huntsville go to the Madison County Jail. The county jail is the main place for all bookings. Huntsville does not run its own long term jail.
The Huntsville Police Department has a holding area at their main office on Wheeler Avenue. This is a short term spot. Most people move to the county jail within hours. Once at the county jail, their record shows up on the Madison County jail roster.
Huntsville spans four counties: Madison, Limestone, Marshall, and Morgan. Most of the city is in Madison County. If an arrest happens in a part of Huntsville that is in another county, that county handles the booking. But this is rare. Nearly all Huntsville arrests go through Madison County.
| Facility | Madison County Jail |
|---|---|
| Address | 815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Booking Phone | (256) 519-4800 |
| Sheriff Non-Emergency | (256) 722-7181 |
| Website | madisoncountysheriffal.org |
The Madison County Sheriff runs the jail. Sheriff's staff handle intake, housing, and release. The jail is open all day, every day for bookings. Family members can call the booking line at any time to check if someone is in custody.
How to Search Huntsville Jail Records
You can search the Huntsville jail roster online. The Madison County Sheriff has a free database on their site. Go to madisoncountysheriffal.org/roster.php to start.
The online roster shows all current inmates. It updates when new people are booked or released. You can search by name to find someone. The results show booking date, charges, and mugshot. Bond amounts are listed if set by the court.
Madison County also has a JAIL View system. This gives more detail on each inmate. You can see court dates and case numbers. The 48 hour release roster shows who got out in the last two days.
To find an inmate on the Huntsville jail roster, you need the following:
- First name or last name of the person
- Approximate date of arrest if known
- Booking number if you have it
The search is free. You do not need to make an account. Results come back right away. If you cannot find someone, they may have been released or moved to state prison.
What Huntsville Jail Roster Records Show
Jail roster records in Huntsville contain key facts about each inmate. Alabama law requires this data to be public. Under Alabama Code Section 36-22-8, sheriffs must keep a jail book open for public view.
A typical Huntsville jail roster entry includes the following details:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Age, gender, and race
- Booking date and time
- Charges filed against the person
- Bond amount if set
- Mugshot taken at booking
The roster may also show the arresting agency. This tells you if Huntsville Police, Madison County Sheriff, or another agency made the arrest. Some entries list the court date.
Certain facts are not public. Medical records stay private. Juvenile records are sealed under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Mental health details are also kept out of public view.
Note: Expunged records will not show up on the jail roster.
Huntsville Police Department
The Huntsville Police Department handles law enforcement in the city. They make arrests and conduct investigations. When police arrest someone, that person goes to the county jail.
Contact the Huntsville Police for records requests or questions about arrests they made. The Records Division can help with arrest reports and other documents.
| Department | Huntsville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Main Phone | (256) 427-7001 |
| Records Division | (256) 427-7020 |
| Non-Emergency | (256) 722-7100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
For bond questions on city charges, call the Huntsville magistrate at (256) 427-7817. The magistrate sets bond for misdemeanor cases. Felony bonds are set by a judge.
Are Huntsville Jail Records Public
Yes. Jail records in Huntsville are public. Alabama has laws that make these records open to all.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 is the state open records act. It says every resident can inspect public records. You do not need a reason. You do not need to say why you want to see them. The sheriff must allow access during office hours.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 adds more detail for jails. It requires each sheriff to keep a jail book. The book must list every inmate with their name, age, charges, and dates. This book must be open for public view. The online jail roster is the modern version of this book.
There are limits. Some facts are private by law. Medical data falls under HIPAA rules. Juvenile cases are sealed. Information that could hurt jail security may be held back. But basic booking facts are always public in Huntsville.
Under Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03, jails must report arrest data to the state within 24 hours. This keeps state records current and helps with background checks.
Huntsville Inmate Notification Service
You can sign up to get alerts about an inmate. The VINE system sends you a message when their status changes. This is free.
VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It works for Huntsville inmates held at Madison County Jail. When an inmate is released or moved, VINE sends a call, text, or email. You pick how you want to hear.
To use VINE for Huntsville jail records, follow these steps:
- Go to vinelink.com and select Alabama
- Search for the inmate by name or ID
- Create a free account
- Register for alerts on that person
You can also call AlaVINE at 1-877-846-3425. The line is open all day and night. This is a good option if someone was just arrested and you want updates.
Fees for Huntsville Jail Records
Viewing the Huntsville jail roster online is free. You pay nothing to search or look at results. This is the easiest way to find out if someone is in custody.
Fees apply if you want copies of records. The Madison County Sheriff can charge for paper copies. Most counties charge between 50 cents and one dollar per page. Certified copies cost more.
For detailed background checks, you may need to go through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. ALEA charges $25 for a criminal history check. This requires fingerprints and takes several weeks. The ALEA check includes more than just jail data.
Note: Many people only need the free online search. Copies are usually needed for legal or employment reasons.
In Person Jail Record Requests in Huntsville
You can visit the Madison County Sheriff's Office to view jail records. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you search and make copies.
The jail book is open for public viewing during office hours. This is required by Alabama law. You may sit down and look through records. Copies can be made for a fee.
Hours for the Sheriff's Office are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The jail itself is open all day for bookings and releases. But record requests are handled during business hours.
Call ahead if you need something specific. The number is (256) 722-7181. Staff can tell you what to bring and how long it will take.
Find Huntsville Jail Records
Use our search tool to look up inmates in Huntsville. You can search by name to find booking data, charges, and mugshots.
Madison County Jail Roster
Huntsville is in Madison County. All jail records for Huntsville are kept by the Madison County Sheriff. For more details on county jail operations, fees, and contact info, visit the Madison County page.
Nearby Alabama Cities
Looking for jail roster records in other Alabama cities? Here are nearby major cities with their own pages.