Tuscaloosa Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Tuscaloosa are processed through Tuscaloosa Municipal Court, located on Gary Fitts Street. The court handles all traffic violations and misdemeanors occurring within city limits, including citations issued by Tuscaloosa Police Department officers. Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama and has a population exceeding 114,000, making it one of the larger cities in the state. The municipal court processes a high volume of traffic cases, especially during the school year when the student population adds significantly to traffic volume. For citations issued by Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's deputies or Alabama State Troopers, those cases are handled by Tuscaloosa County District Court. The court offers online payment, in-person payment at the cashier's window, and mail-in payment options.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Tuscaloosa Municipal Court
Tuscaloosa Municipal Court hears traffic cases, misdemeanors, and city code issues in city limits. The judge can fine you up to $500 and jail you for up to 6 months on most cases. DUI and big crimes go higher. The court sits on Gary Fitts Street and sees a lot of cases each year, especially during the school year when students are in town.
| Address | 2122 Gary Fitts Street Tuscaloosa, AL |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 349-3870 or (205) 248-5330 |
| Website | tuscaloosa.com/court |
Court Schedule
When you show up depends on your last name. A through L? Come at 9:00 AM. M through Z? Come at 1:30 PM. Parking court runs the last Friday of each month at 8:00 AM. Get there early to check in. The room fills up, so plan to wait if there are a lot of cases that day.
Payment Window Hours
The cashier window takes cash and money orders. Hours run 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Get there early since lines can get long, especially at the start and end of the day.
How to Pay Traffic Tickets
Online Payment
Pay at tuscaloosa.com/live-play/pay-citations-fines. Cards work. A fee gets tacked on. But know this: paying online means you plead guilty. You can not fight it or ask for driving school after that.
In-Person Payment
Go to the cashier at 2122 Gary Fitts Street. Hours run 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. They take cash and money orders. This works best if you want to ask about driving school or other choices before you pay and give up those options.
Mail Payment
Send payment by mail to:
Tuscaloosa Municipal Court
2122 Gary Fitts Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Include a copy of your citation with payment by money order or cashier's check.
Payment Deadline
Pay at least 24 hours before court. Postmarks do not count. The court needs your money in hand. Mail early so it gets there in time. Small tickets can be paid before your court date without showing up.
When to Pay
Wait about a week after getting your ticket before you try to pay. It takes time for them to put it in the system. Try too soon and your ticket will not show up. But do not wait too long or late fees hit your case.
Statewide Online System
The Alabama Online Traffic Resolution system also allows searching and paying citations using your citation number and date of birth.
Fees and Fines
Traffic Violation Fines
Fines in Tuscaloosa depend on what you did. Here is what most folks pay:
| Violation | Typical Fine Range |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1-25 mph over) | $190 - $280 |
| Speeding (26+ mph over) | $280 - $350 |
| Running red light | $180 - $250 |
| Stop sign violation | $160 - $220 |
| Failure to yield | $180 - $250 |
| Improper lane change | $150 - $200 |
Most fines cap at $500 plus up to 6 months in jail. DUI goes much higher. Fines include court costs.
Traffic Diversion Program
Tuscaloosa has a driving school option for some tickets. Finish the class and your ticket may get dropped. Show up in person or call the court to ask for it. You can not ask for driving school after you pay online, so do not rush to pay if you want this choice. The program only works for certain cases, so check first to see if yours qualifies.
Legal Framework
Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa.
Traffic tickets in Alabama are misdemeanors per Title 32 of the Code of Alabama. The judge can fine you up to $500. Jail can hit six months.
Appeals go to Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. You have 14 days to file. The appeal means a new trial where they start fresh.
Traffic court records are public records under Section 36-12-40 and can be accessed through public records requests to the court.
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court
Got a ticket from a county deputy or state trooper in Tuscaloosa? That goes to Tuscaloosa County District Court. The city court does not take those. Check who wrote your ticket to know where to go.
| Address | 714 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 349-3870 |
| Website | tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov |
Legal Resources
Legal Services Alabama - Tuscaloosa Office
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help if you do not make much money. They can walk you through traffic court stuff and answer questions about your rights.
- Intake Line: 1-866-456-4995
Tuscaloosa County Bar Association
Need a lawyer? The Tuscaloosa County Bar Association runs a referral line. They link you with local attorneys who take traffic cases. A paid lawyer can stand up for you and may cut your fines or keep points off your record.
University of Alabama School of Law
The law school at UA runs clinics that may help with some legal stuff. Call them to ask what they can do. Law students work these clinics under a professor, so it is a way to get low-cost or free help on certain cases.
Alabama State Bar
The Alabama State Bar provides resources for finding legal assistance throughout the state.
Nearby Cities
Each city runs its own court. Here are big cities near Tuscaloosa:
Other nearby cities with municipal courts include Northport, Bessemer, and Jasper. Each city handles traffic citations issued by its own police department.
Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa sits in Tuscaloosa County. It is also the county seat. If a county or state cop gave you a ticket: