Alabama Counties
Alabama has 67 counties. Each one runs its own district court for traffic cases. The Circuit Clerk keeps all the traffic court records in each county. Pick a county below to find contact info, court hours, and how to deal with your ticket.
How Traffic Courts Work in Alabama Counties
Every county in Alabama has a district court. This is where most traffic tickets end up. The district court handles things like speeding, running red lights, no insurance, and driving with a bad license. If you got a ticket, you will deal with the district court in the county where you were pulled over. Not where you live — where you got the ticket. That part trips people up a lot.
The Circuit Clerk runs the show for court records. They keep track of case files, fines paid, and court dates. Need to look up an old ticket? Call the clerk. Want to know if you have a warrant? Call the clerk. They can tell you what you owe and when you need to show up. Most clerk offices are open Monday through Friday, but hours vary by county. Some close for lunch. A few have Saturday hours, but not many.
What to Know Before You Pick a County
Traffic ticket rules shift from one county to the next. In bigger counties like Jefferson and Mobile, you may be able to pay fines online or check your case on a website. Small rural counties might not have online systems at all — you will have to call or go in person. Some counties let you handle minor tickets by mail. Others want you in court no matter what. The county pages below will tell you what to expect.
Fines differ too. A speeding ticket in one county might cost $150. The same ticket in another county could run $250 or more. Court costs and fees pile on top of the base fine. These add-on costs vary by county as well. When you look up your ticket, ask about the total amount due — not just the fine listed on your citation.
Steps to Take After Getting a Ticket
Got a traffic ticket in Alabama? Here is what to do. First, read the ticket. It shows your court date and the county where you must appear. The ticket also lists the charge and the fine amount (though that number often goes up with fees). Do not ignore the date on your ticket. Missing court can lead to a bench warrant and a suspended license.
Next, decide how to handle it. You have a few choices. You can pay the fine and be done with it. This means you plead guilty. Points may go on your license. Or you can fight the ticket in court. You would need to show up and tell the judge your side. Some people hire a lawyer for this. Others go alone. If you want to keep points off your record, ask about traffic school. Not all counties offer it, but some do.
Looking Up Traffic Records by County
Each county keeps its own traffic court records. There is no one statewide database that shows all tickets. You have to check each county where you might have a case. The state court system has an online lookup tool called Alacourt, but it costs money to use. For basic info, calling the clerk is free.
When you call, have your full name and date of birth ready. If you know your case number, that helps too. The clerk can tell you about active cases, fines you owe, and court dates coming up. They can also mail you copies of old records. There is usually a small fee for copies — a few dollars per page is common.
Urban vs. Rural County Courts
Big counties like Jefferson, Madison, and Mobile have busy courts. You might wait months for a court date. But they also have more online tools and payment plans. Smaller counties move faster sometimes, but they may not have the same tech. In rural areas, you often deal with people face to face. That can be good or bad, depending on what you need.
Some counties share court resources with neighbors. A few judges travel between counties to hear cases. This is more common in places with small populations. The county pages below note these setups when they apply.
Browse All 67 Alabama Counties
Click any county to see court contact info, addresses, phone numbers, and details about local traffic court rules. We cover every county in the state — from big metro areas to tiny rural spots. Each page tells you where to go, who to call, and what to expect when dealing with traffic court in that county.