Alabama Cities
Municipal courts in Alabama deal with traffic tickets from city cops. Each city court has power over traffic cases that happen in the city. Pick a city below to find court contact info, hours, ways to pay, and steps for dealing with traffic tickets. Most city courts let you pay fines online now. You can also show up in person if you want to fight the ticket or ask for a plea deal. Court clerks can tell you what forms you need and what the fine will be for your case.
Major Alabama Cities
These cities have more than 50,000 people. They run their own court systems for traffic cases. Each one has its own rules for how to pay fines, when to show up, and what happens if you miss court. Some let you take care of things online. Others want you to come in. Check the city page for the full scoop on hours, fees, and what to bring with you when you go to court.
Traffic Citations in Other Cities
For cities not on this list, traffic tickets from city cops go to that city's court. Call the city or check with the county court. Lots of small towns share court services with the county — they don't have their own judge or clerk on staff. Use the state Online Traffic Resolution system to look up and pay off tickets from any court in Alabama. You can search by name, case number, or ticket number. The site will show you what you owe and let you pay right there if your case qualifies.
How City Traffic Courts Work
When a city cop gives you a ticket, it goes to that city's court. Not the county. Not the state. The city. Your ticket will have a court date on it. That's when you need to show up — or pay before that date if you just want to get it done. Miss the date and things get worse. The court can add fees. They might put out a warrant. Your license could get held up too.
Most city courts in Alabama take cash, cards, and money orders. Some take checks. A few have online pay options, which makes things a lot simpler. You don't have to take time off work or sit in a waiting room. Just go to the city's website, find the court page, and look for a pay link. Not all cities have this set up though. The big ones do. Small towns might not.
What to Bring to Court
If you have to go to court in person, bring your ticket. Bring your license. Bring proof of insurance if that's part of the case. Some courts want you to bring cash or a money order — they won't take a card at the window. Call ahead and ask. Court clerks deal with these questions all day long. They can tell you what to expect and how long the wait might be.
You can also ask about payment plans. If you can't pay the whole fine at once, lots of courts will let you break it up. You'll need to fill out a form and show that you have a job or some way to pay over time. The judge has to sign off on it. But it's worth asking if money is tight. Better than missing the payment and ending up with more problems.
Fighting a Traffic Ticket
Want to contest your ticket? You can. Show up on your court date and tell the judge you plead not guilty. The court will set a trial date. At the trial, the cop who gave you the ticket has to show up and testify. If they don't come, the case might get thrown out. But don't count on that. Most cops do show up, especially for big tickets like speeding in a school zone or running a red light.
You can hire a lawyer to help you fight the ticket. Traffic lawyers know the local courts and judges. They know which defenses work and which ones don't. For a small speeding ticket, a lawyer might cost more than just paying the fine. But for something that could add points to your license or raise your insurance rates, it might be worth the cost. Think about what you stand to lose before you decide.
Points and Your Driving Record
Traffic tickets in Alabama add points to your driving record. Too many points and you lose your license. The state uses a point system that goes from 2 points for minor stuff up to 6 points for serious offenses. Get 12 points in two years and your license gets suspended. That's a big deal if you need to drive for work or to get the kids to school.
Some city courts offer traffic school as a way to keep points off your record. You pay a fee, take a class, and the ticket doesn't count against you. Not every court does this. And not every ticket qualifies. Ask the clerk when you call or when you show up. If it's an option, it's usually worth doing. A clean record keeps your insurance rates down and your license safe.