Search Madison County Jail Mugshots
Madison County jail mugshots are available online through the sheriff's office website. As the second largest county in Alabama by population, Madison County processes thousands of bookings each year at its jail facility in Huntsville. The sheriff maintains a public jail roster that shows current inmates with their booking photos and charges. This online roster updates in real time, so you can see who was recently booked and who has been released. You can search by name at no cost. The roster is one of the most complete and accessible in the state, making it easy to find mugshot records for Madison County.
Madison County Jail Quick Facts
Madison County Sheriff's Office
The Madison County Sheriff's Office manages one of the busiest jail facilities in Alabama. The sheriff has legal custody of the county jail under Alabama Code Section 14-6-1. All booking records, mugshots, and prisoner logs are maintained by this office.
Contact the sheriff's office at:
- Address: 100 Northside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801
- Main Phone: (256) 532-3610
- Jail Phone: (256) 532-3606
- Website: madisoncountysheriffal.org
The Madison County Jail is a modern facility that can hold several hundred inmates. It processes arrests from the sheriff's department, Huntsville Police, Madison Police, and other local agencies in the county. The booking area operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Madison County Online Jail Roster
Madison County offers one of the best online jail rosters in Alabama. You can search current inmates right from the sheriff's website at no charge.
To access the jail roster:
- Visit the Madison County jail roster page
- Enter a last name in the search box, or browse the full list
- Click on an inmate's name to see their mugshot and booking details
The roster shows current inmates only. Once someone bonds out or is released, they drop off the active list. The system updates in real time, so new bookings appear soon after processing is complete.
What the Roster Shows
Each inmate listing on the Madison County jail roster includes:
- Full name and booking photo
- Date of birth and age
- Booking date and time
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bond amount if set
- Physical description
The roster is a great way to check if someone is currently in custody. It works well for finding recent mugshots. For older records or records of people no longer in jail, you need to contact the sheriff's office directly.
Other Ways to Find Madison County Mugshots
The online roster covers current inmates, but you have other options for different types of searches.
In-Person Requests
You can visit the sheriff's office at 100 Northside Square in Huntsville. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, you have the right to inspect public records. Ask to see the jailer's log book, which is open for public viewing per Alabama Code Section 36-22-8. Staff can help with lookups and provide copies for a small fee.
Phone Inquiries
Call the jail at (256) 532-3606 for questions about a specific inmate. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody and give you basic booking information. For detailed records, you may need to visit in person or submit a written request.
ALEA Criminal Records
For a complete criminal history check covering all of Alabama, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at alea.gov. The fee is $15 online or $25 by mail. ALEA records include arrests and convictions from any county in the state, not just Madison County.
Court Records
For case information and court records, use Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. This covers criminal cases in Madison County including case filings, hearing dates, and dispositions. Court records complement jail records by showing what happened after the arrest.
Understanding Madison County Booking Records
When someone is arrested in Madison County, they go through a booking process at the jail. This creates several records that become part of the public record.
The booking process includes:
- Photographing the person (the mugshot)
- Taking fingerprints
- Recording personal information
- Logging the charges
- Assigning a booking number
- Setting bail or bond if applicable
Madison County booking records are detailed compared to smaller counties. The sheriff's office has modern systems that capture and store information electronically. This is why the online roster is so complete and easy to use.
Keep in mind that an arrest does not mean guilt. Many people in the jail roster are awaiting trial and have not been convicted. Others may have their charges reduced or dropped later. The booking record shows what happened at the time of arrest, not the final outcome of the case.
Alabama Laws on Jail Record Access
Several Alabama laws govern how jail mugshots and booking records can be accessed. Madison County follows these state requirements.
Open Records Act: Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Jail records fall under this law. You do not need to give a reason to access them.
Sheriff's Prisoner Records: Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires the sheriff to keep a book recording all prisoners received. This book must show names, ages, physical descriptions, charges, and dates of commitment and discharge. The book must be open for inspection during office hours.
Sheriff Custody of Jail: Alabama Code Section 14-6-1 gives the sheriff custody of the county jail and all prisoners. This makes the sheriff responsible for booking records and mugshots.
Privacy Limits: Some information is withheld from public records. Social Security numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and financial account information are typically redacted. Juvenile records are sealed under Alabama Code Section 12-15-102.
Expungement: Under Alabama Code Sections 15-27-1 and 15-27-2, certain records can be expunged. Once expunged, the records must be removed from public databases including jail rosters.
Cities Served by Madison County Jail
The Madison County Jail serves all cities and towns within the county. Arrests made by any local agency typically result in booking at the county jail.
Major cities in Madison County include:
- Huntsville - The county seat and largest city in north Alabama
- Madison - The second-largest city in Madison County
Other communities include Gurley, New Hope, Owens Cross Roads, Triana, and Harvest. Residents of these areas should check the Madison County jail roster for local booking information.
Nearby County Jails
If you need to check jail records in neighboring counties, here are links to nearby Alabama county jail information. Arrests near county borders may result in booking in an adjacent county.
Search Madison County Records
Use our search tool to find jail mugshots and arrest records. You can search across multiple databases to find the information you need.