Find Criminal Records in Madison County
Madison County criminal court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk's Office at 201 W Main Street in Huntsville. This page covers how to search those records, whether you want to use Arkansas's free CourtConnect portal, send a mail request, or visit the courthouse in person. You'll find clerk contact details, fee information, and links to every key resource for Madison County criminal record searches.
Madison County Criminal Court Records
Madison County Circuit Clerk Office
Kelli R. Jones is the Circuit Clerk for Madison County. Her office is responsible for maintaining all circuit court records under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-20-102. That law requires the clerk to record all court proceedings, issue summons and warrants, and keep a complete file of pending and past cases. Felony charges, misdemeanor appeals from lower courts, and other criminal matters at the circuit level are all in the clerk's custody.
The office is at 201 W Main Street, Huntsville, AR 72740. Mail goes to P.O. Box 328, Huntsville, AR 72740. Phone is (479) 738-2745, fax is (479) 738-2235. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can help you find a case and review copy fees before any payment is made.
The Madison County official website provides general office information. Full case searches require using CourtConnect, the state's online court portal.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts oversees the court system and provides statewide resources that help with Madison County criminal record searches.
Search Madison County Records Online
The state's free court search tool is CourtConnect. You can reach it at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. No account is needed. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number and apply filters for court, case type, and date range. Madison County participates partially in CourtConnect, so you will get basic case index data but not full document images.
Searching CourtConnect for Madison County criminal cases will return party names, case numbers, filing dates, case status, scheduled hearings, and docket entries. The system will not show scanned documents, transcripts, or exhibits. Sealed cases and juvenile records are excluded entirely. Cases predating Madison County's entry into the Contexte case management system will not appear in the online index either.
If CourtConnect does not have the record you need, call the Circuit Clerk at (479) 738-2745 or come in person. The online portal is a useful first step for confirming a case exists and getting a case number before contacting the clerk directly.
Requesting Madison County Criminal Court Records
Walk-in visits at the Madison County Courthouse are the most direct way to access criminal court records. When you come in, bring a photo ID and any case details you have. Public access computers at the courthouse let you search on your own. Staff are available to help locate records and pull documents once you know what you are looking for. There is no fee to inspect public records in person.
For mail requests, write to the Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 328, Huntsville, AR 72740. Include the case number if known, both party names, approximate filing date, and case type. Attach payment for estimated copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail turnaround runs about 7 to 14 business days. Email requests go to madisonclerk@arkansasclerks.com, but staff can only offer general guidance by email and cannot send confidential documents electronically.
Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101, requires public records to be available during regular business hours. Indigent fee waivers may be available with court approval.
Note: If you are mailing a request for a certified copy, include the exact case number when possible. It speeds up processing and reduces the chance of getting the wrong document.
Arrest Records and the Madison County Sheriff
The Madison County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records, warrant information, inmate records, and incident reports. That office is at 201 W Main Street, Huntsville, AR 72740, and the phone number is (479) 738-2320. The Sheriff and the Circuit Clerk are separate offices. An arrest record and a court case are not the same thing, and not every arrest leads to a circuit court filing.
To request an incident report from the Sheriff, file a written FOIA request. The office has three business days to respond under Arkansas law. Include the date and location of the incident and any party names if you know them. For warrant verification, an in-person visit with a photo ID is typically needed.
For checks that cover all of Arkansas, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check system offers name-based searches for $22.00 per person. This is a good option when you need a broader search beyond Madison County.
Types of Records Kept by the Circuit Clerk
The Madison County Circuit Clerk keeps felony case files, misdemeanor appeals, and any criminal matter that reaches the circuit level. A case file typically includes the charging document, arrest warrant if one was issued, bond records, plea agreements, judgment and sentencing orders, and the complete docket sheet. The docket sheet logs every step of the case in order from filing to final disposition.
Juvenile delinquency records are sealed under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309 and are not public. Expunged and court-sealed records also do not appear. Copies provided to the public have Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and domestic violence victim addresses redacted. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature.
Very old records from Madison County may be held off-site or by the Arkansas State Archives. If you are searching for a case from several decades ago, the archives may be the right starting point.
Madison County Court Record Resources
Several resources can supplement a Madison County criminal record search. The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts lists contact information for every court in the state and provides forms and self-help guides. The Arkansas Courthouse Kiosk program runs public access terminals at select courthouses for free record searches and form access. The Arkansas Association of Counties directory includes contact details for all circuit clerks statewide.
People who need legal help can contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services for free civil and some criminal legal aid. The Arkansas Courts Self-Help Center offers guides for people navigating the system without an attorney.
Nearby Counties
If the case you need was filed in a neighboring county, these Circuit Clerk offices may have the records you are looking for.