Madison Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for Madison are processed through Madison Municipal Court, which handles all misdemeanor offenses including traffic violations occurring within city limits. Madison is a fast-growing suburb of Huntsville located in Madison County. The city has grown rapidly over the past two decades and traffic enforcement has increased along with the population. Madison Municipal Court holds arraignments for traffic and non-traffic matters on Fridays at 8:30 AM. The court provides procedural information but cannot give legal advice about your case. For citations issued by Madison County deputies or Alabama State Troopers within Madison city limits, those cases go through Madison County District Court in Huntsville instead.
Madison Quick Facts
Madison Municipal Court
Madison Municipal Court hears traffic cases, misdemeanors, and city code issues in Madison. The court aims to be fair and fast. Staff can tell you about steps and due dates. But they can not give you legal advice. For that, talk to a lawyer.
| Phone | (256) 772-5617 |
|---|---|
| Court Schedule | Arraignments: Friday at 8:30 AM |
| Website | madisonal.gov/municipal-court |
Court Sessions
Court runs on Fridays at 8:30 AM. Look at your ticket for the date. Get there early and check in with staff. Need to move your date? Call the court before that day to ask for more time. They will work with you if you reach out first. Do not just skip it or things get worse. Bring your ticket, dress right, and keep your phone quiet. The room can fill up, so plan to wait a bit if there are lots of cases.
How to Pay Traffic Tickets
Online Payment
The court takes online payments for most tickets. Go to the city site to find the pay portal. You need your ticket number. But know this: paying online means you plead guilty. You can not fight it after that. If you want to contest your ticket or ask for driving school, do not pay online first.
In-Person Payment
Call (256) 772-5617 to learn how to pay in person. Ask what they take: cash, check, money order, or card. This works best if you want to talk first. Staff can tell you what choices you have before you pay, so you do not give up your right to fight the ticket or ask for driving school by mistake.
Mail Payment
Call the court to get the mailing address and steps. Send a copy of your ticket with your payment. Money orders and cashier's checks are best for mail since they do not bounce and are easier to track.
Statewide Online System
The Alabama Online Traffic Resolution system also allows searching and paying citations using your citation number and date of birth. This statewide system covers many Alabama courts including those in Madison County.
Fees and Fines
Traffic Violation Fines
Fines in Madison depend on what you did. Here is what most folks pay:
| Violation | Typical Fine Range |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1-25 mph over) | $180 - $270 |
| Speeding (26+ mph over) | $270 - $340 |
| Running red light | $170 - $240 |
| Stop sign violation | $155 - $210 |
| Failure to yield | $170 - $240 |
| Improper lane change | $145 - $195 |
Fines include court costs. Pay late and fees add up. Miss court and it gets worse. DUI and reckless driving cost way more, and you have to show up in court for those.
Late Payment Consequences
Miss court or the due date and things pile up fast. More fines hit your case. A warrant might go out. Your license could get pulled. Call the court right away if you can not make it. They may give you more time, but only if you ask before you miss your date.
Legal Framework
Madison Municipal Court runs under Code of Alabama Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70. These laws let the court hear city code and state traffic cases in Madison.
Traffic tickets in Alabama are misdemeanors per Section 32-5A-8. The judge can fine you up to $500. Jail can hit six months. DUI and big crimes go much higher.
Appeals go to Madison County Circuit Court. You have 14 days to file after conviction. Miss that and your appeal rights are gone.
Traffic court records are public records under Section 36-12-40. You can access them through public records requests to the court or through the Alabama court system.
Madison County District Court
Got a ticket from a county deputy or state trooper in Madison? That goes to Madison County District Court in Huntsville. The city court does not take those. Big crimes also go to county court since they are too much for municipal court to handle. Check who wrote your ticket to know where to go.
| Address | 100 Northside Square, Room 217 Huntsville, AL 35801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 532-3390 |
| Website | madison.alacourt.gov |
Legal Resources
Legal Services Alabama - Huntsville Office
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help if you do not make much money. The Huntsville office helps folks in Madison County, including people who live in Madison city.
- Intake Line: 1-866-456-4995
Madison County Bar Association
The Madison County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line. They link you with local attorneys who take traffic cases. A paid lawyer can stand up for you in court and may cut your fines or keep points off your record. It costs money, but results can make it worth it.
Alabama State Bar
The Alabama State Bar provides resources for finding legal assistance throughout the state. Their lawyer referral service can match you with attorneys based on your needs.
Important Note
Court staff can tell you steps and due dates. But they can not give legal advice. That is what lawyers do. If you need help figuring out what to do, call a lawyer or Legal Services Alabama.
Nearby Cities
Each city runs its own court. Madison sits next to Huntsville and close to Decatur. Here are big Alabama cities nearby:
Other nearby cities with municipal courts include Athens, Harvest, and Meridianville. Citations issued in those areas must be handled through their respective courts or Madison County District Court.
Madison County
Madison city sits in Madison County. Huntsville is the county seat, and that is where the county courts are. If a county or state cop gave you a ticket: