What a Madison County Court Docket Shows
A docket is the court's running event log for one case. The Madison County Circuit Clerk says court records are electronically imaged, which means the docket lives in a database that judges, clerks, and the public can pull. Each docket line shows a date, an event code, a short description, and sometimes a link to the underlying filing or order.
Dockets are not the full case file. A docket lists what happened. The case file holds the actual motions, exhibits, and orders. For a printed copy of any specific document, file a Records Request with the Circuit Clerk or pull the document through AlaCourt's paid Just One Look service.
| Docket Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Case Number | Circuit or District Court file ID assigned by the Madison Clerk. |
| Parties | Plaintiff and defendant, or the State of Alabama in criminal cases. |
| Judge / Courtroom | Assigned judge and room inside the Madison County Courthouse. |
| Event Date | The date of each docket entry. |
| Event Code | Short code such as ARR, PLEA, MOT, ORD, DISP, or CONT. |
| Event Description | Plain text label that names the action. |
| Hearing Date | The next scheduled appearance and the courtroom number. |
| Disposition | The current outcome of the case. |
How to Search Madison County Court Dockets
Most users find a Madison County docket through AlaCourt's Just One Look service. The portal lets you search by name or case number. Lawyers with full subscriber accounts can pull dockets in bulk. Members of the public pay per search. The Madison Circuit Clerk page directs the public to alacourt.gov as the main online channel.
- Open pa.alacourt.com and select your search type.
- Choose Madison as the county filter when available.
- Enter a full party name or the exact Circuit or District case number.
- Filter by court type to narrow Circuit, District, civil, or criminal cases.
- Pay the search fee and open the docket page.
- Scroll through the dated event list and note the next hearing date.
If the case is older than the electronic system, mail the Circuit Clerk's Records Request form with a paid search fee. Archived and microfilmed searches cost $25.
Circuit Dockets vs District Dockets in Madison County
Madison County runs two main trial-court dockets. The Circuit Court docket handles felony cases, civil cases over $20,000, divorce and custody, and appeals from District Court. The District Court docket handles misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, and preliminary felony hearings. Each docket has its own pace, judge rotation, and event codes.
| Feature | Circuit Court Docket | District Court Docket |
|---|---|---|
| Case types | Felony, civil over $20,000, divorce, appeals | Misdemeanor, traffic, small claims, district civil |
| Jury | Yes for felony and many civil cases | Limited; many cases tried to the bench |
| Filing fees | $426 to $526 for civil; $487 for felony | $78 to $302 by case value |
| Appeal path | Court of Civil or Criminal Appeals | Up to Circuit Court |
The 23rd Judicial Circuit reported 12,072 Circuit Court cases and 29,341 District Court cases filed in 2024. District Court carries the bulk of public-facing docket traffic, so District calendars often run longer.
Madison County Courts and Judges
Dockets in Madison County are assigned to specific judges and courtrooms. The 23rd Judicial Circuit contact page lists every judge by room number. Use this table when a docket entry names the assigned judge so you can find the right courtroom.
| Court | Judge | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court, Presiding | Hon. Donna S. Pate | Rm 810 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Alison S. Austin | Rm 600 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Christian M. Comer | Rm 270 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Ruth Ann Hall | Rm 334 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Claude E. Hundley | Rm 812 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. D. Alan Mann | Rm 230 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Donald N. Rizzardi Sr. | Courtroom #1 / Rm 251 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Patrick M. Tuten | Courtroom #7 / Rm 600 |
| Circuit Court | Hon. Ron W. Smith | Courtroom #9 / Rm 514 |
| District Court | Hon. Linda F. Coats | Rm 306 |
| District Court | Hon. Patricia D. Demos | Rm 526 |
| District Court | Hon. Tim Douthit | Rm 604 |
| District Court | Hon. John R. Allen | Rm 800 |
Visit the official circuit judges list and district judges list for current phone extensions.
The Circuit Clerk publishes the circuit judge list with phone numbers and room assignments.
Reading Criminal Docket Codes
Criminal dockets use short codes. ARR means arraignment, the first hearing after charges. PLEA means a formal answer. MOT means a motion filed by either side. ORD means an order signed by the judge. CONT means a continuance, which delays the next hearing. DISP marks the final outcome. Some Madison search snippets even abbreviate Disposition as Dispostion, so be ready for raw clerk labels.
- Arraignment
- First criminal hearing where the charge is read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary Hearing
- District Court hearing on whether enough proof exists to bind a felony over to Circuit Court.
- Plea
- Defendant's formal answer of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
- Continuance
- Court-approved delay of a hearing.
- Capias
- Arrest warrant issued for failure to appear or non-compliance.
- Alias Warrant
- Replacement warrant issued after earlier process failed.
- Disposition
- Final outcome of the case, such as convicted, dismissed, or nolle prossed.
Reading Civil Docket Entries
Civil dockets follow the same format but use different labels. Filed entries include complaints, answers, counterclaims, motions to dismiss, and summary judgment motions. Service entries show how the defendant was served. Judgment entries close the docket. Post-judgment entries can show garnishment, satisfaction, or appeal.
Family Court dockets sit inside the Circuit Court track. Divorce, custody, and child-support dockets show petitions, rule nisi entries, modifications, and final orders. Some family records hold limited public detail to protect minors and victims. Madison County's Records Request form lists a separate Family Court Division mailing line for paper copies of these dockets.
Hearing Dates and Courtroom Locations
The next hearing date drives most docket searches. The courthouse address is 100 North Side Square, Huntsville, AL 35801. Each judge sits in an assigned courtroom. Jury cases meet in the larger courtrooms on the upper floors. The Jury Assembly Room is Room 106 and the Jury Venire Room is Room 616. Call the Court Administrator at (256) 532-3575 to confirm the room before a hearing.
Note: Court calendars can shift on short notice; confirm the room and time with the Circuit Clerk at (256) 532-3390 before you travel.
Older and Archived Madison County Dockets
Old paper dockets are not always online. The Circuit Clerk's archived and microfilmed search fee is $25. For Probate dockets, the Madison County Probate office offers court and land records by appointment at the Service Center, with historic archives at 6921 Highway 431 in Owens Cross Roads. Schedule an appointment at least one business day ahead by emailing probate@madisoncountyal.gov or calling (256) 532-3330. Archive hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only.
Some dockets cross paths with other Madison County offices. Probate dockets cover wills, estates, and recorded land documents. The 23rd Judicial Circuit calendar page also posts standing notices for specialty programs, such as Adult Drug Court and the Court Mental Health Program. Check the 23rd Judicial Circuit home page for program-specific docket announcements before a hearing.
For related searches, see Madison County court records, criminal records, District Court, and the Clerk of Court page.