Find Traffic Court Records in Dothan
Traffic court records for Dothan are managed by Dothan Municipal Court, which handles all citations issued by Dothan Police Department officers within city limits. The court is located at 210 N Saint Andrews Street and typically holds sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dothan is the largest city in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama, sitting at the intersection of several major highways. This makes traffic enforcement a significant part of local law enforcement activity. Judge Rose Evans-Gordon presides over municipal court matters. Citations issued by Houston County deputies or Alabama State Troopers in Dothan go through Houston County District Court instead of municipal court.
Dothan Quick Facts
Dothan Municipal Court
Dothan Municipal Court hears traffic cases, misdemeanors, and city code issues in city limits. The court sees a lot of cases since Dothan is a big hub for the area. Court runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays most weeks. Strict rules apply for what you can bring inside.
| Address | 210 N Saint Andrews Street Dothan, AL 36303 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 2128 Dothan, AL 36302 |
| Phone | (334) 615-4150 |
| Fax | (334) 615-4149 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Judge | Hon. Rose Evans-Gordon |
| Website | dothan.org/municipal-court |
Court Rules
Follow the rules or face trouble. No guns. No knives. No food or drinks in the room. Kids under 6 can not come in at all. Get a sitter if you have young ones. These rules are strict and the staff will turn you away if you break them. Show up dressed right, act calm, and leave your phone on silent. The judge runs a tight ship. If you make a scene, things will not go well for your case.
How to Pay Traffic Tickets
Online Payment
Pay at dothanal.govtportal.com. You need your ticket number. Cards work. But here is the deal: paying online means you plead guilty. You can not fight it or ask for driving school once you pay.
In-Person Payment
Go to 210 N Saint Andrews Street. Hours run 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. They take cash, money orders, and cashier's checks. This is best if you want to ask questions first. Staff can tell you about your choices before you hand over cash. That way you know what you are giving up before you pay.
Mail Payment
Mail payment to:
Dothan Municipal Court
P.O. Box 2128
Dothan, AL 36302
Include a copy of your citation and payment by money order or cashier's check payable to "City of Dothan." Allow plenty of time for your payment to arrive before your court date. Late payments result in additional fines.
Statewide Online System
The Alabama Online Traffic Resolution system also allows searching and paying citations from Dothan courts using your citation number and date of birth.
Fees and Fines
Traffic Violation Fines
Fines in Dothan change based on what you did. Here is what most folks pay:
| Violation | Typical Fine Range |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1-25 mph over) | $175 - $265 |
| Speeding (26+ mph over) | $265 - $335 |
| Running red light | $165 - $235 |
| Stop sign violation | $150 - $205 |
| Failure to yield | $165 - $235 |
| Improper lane change | $140 - $190 |
Fines include court costs. Pay late and fees add up. Skip court and things get bad fast. DUI and reckless driving fines are way higher.
Consequences of Missing Court
Miss court and bad stuff happens. More fines hit your case. A warrant might go out for your arrest. Your license could get pulled. All of this makes your case cost more and take longer to fix. Can not show up? Call the court before that date and ask to push it back. They will work with you if you reach out first, but they will not chase you down to give you a second chance.
Legal Framework
Dothan 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 Dothan.
Traffic tickets in Alabama are misdemeanors per Section 32-5A-8. The judge can fine you up to $500. Jail can hit six months for most cases. DUI and big crimes go higher than that.
Appeals go to Houston County Circuit Court. You have 14 days after conviction to file. Miss that and you are stuck with the ruling.
Traffic court records are public records under Section 36-12-40. You can request them from the court or access them through the Alabama court system online portal.
Houston County District Court
Got a ticket from a county deputy or state trooper in Dothan? Your case goes to Houston County District Court. The city court will not take it. Big crimes that are too much for municipal court also go there. Check who wrote your ticket to know where you need to go.
| Website | houston.alacourt.gov |
|---|
Legal Resources
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help if you do not make much. They walk you through traffic court and tell you what rights you have.
- Intake Line: 1-866-456-4995
Houston County Bar Association
The Houston County Bar Association links you with local lawyers who take traffic cases. A paid lawyer can stand up for you in court and try to cut your charges or work out a deal. This costs money, but the results may be worth it for big tickets or if you want to keep points off your license.
Alabama State Bar
The Alabama State Bar provides resources for finding legal assistance throughout the state. Their lawyer referral service matches you with attorneys based on your needs and location.
Wiregrass Area Legal Aid
This group helps folks in the Wiregrass region. If you qualify, they might help with traffic court stuff. Call Legal Services Alabama for more info.
Nearby Cities
Each city runs its own traffic court. Here are big Alabama cities you might need:
Other nearby cities with municipal courts include Enterprise, Ozark, and Eufaula. Citations issued in those cities must be handled through their respective municipal courts.
Houston County
Dothan sits in Houston County. It is also the county seat. The county is in the far southeast part of the state, close to Florida and Georgia. If a county or state cop gave you a ticket: