Autauga County Traffic Court Records

Traffic court records in Autauga County are handled by the Circuit Clerk's office in Prattville. The county sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit with Chilton and Elmore counties. District court takes most traffic cases here. Speeding tickets go there. So do other moving violations. If a state trooper or deputy wrote your ticket, it goes through county court. Prattville city police citations work differently - those end up in municipal court instead. The Circuit Clerk keeps all case files. Need info on a pending case? They can help. Want records from an old matter? Same deal. The clerk's office is in the Autauga County Courthouse. They keep regular hours most weekdays, so you can stop by or call during the week.

Autauga County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all court records in Autauga County. That means traffic cases too. They can look up case status for you. Need copies of court papers? They do that. Want to know what you owe on a ticket? Just ask. The staff is pretty helpful with these kinds of requests. One thing to keep in mind - the office takes a lunch break from noon to 1 PM each day, so plan your visit around that if you want to avoid a locked door.

The 19th Judicial Circuit has four circuit judges who hear cases across Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore counties. The presiding judge is Amanda Baxley. Other judges include Joy Booth, DeAnne "Dee Dee" Calhoon, and Patrick Pinkston. Traffic matters are typically handled in district court rather than circuit court unless they involve felony charges.

How to Search Traffic Records

Online Search

You can look up Autauga County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Just type in the name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. The site has all Alabama courts on it. Pick Autauga County when you search so you get local results and not records from some other part of the state.

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Room 114 of the courthouse during business hours. Bring as much information as you can - the defendant's full name, date of birth, or case number if you have it. The staff can pull up case information and provide copies of documents. There are public access computers available in the clerk's office where you can search records yourself.

Mail Requests

Send written requests to the Circuit Clerk with the defendant's information and what documents you need. Include payment for any copy fees. Mail to:

Circuit Clerk, Autauga County Courthouse
134 N. Court St., Room 114
Prattville, AL 36067

Fees and Costs

Traffic Court Fines

Fines for traffic violations in Autauga County depend on the offense and include court costs. A basic speeding ticket usually runs between $190 and $300 total. Running a red light or stop sign is similar. More serious violations like reckless driving carry higher fines, often $500 or more. DUI first offense fines start around $600 and can go up to $2,100 plus additional costs for classes and probation.

Record Copy Fees

Payment Options

Pay traffic fines online through ALAPay.com using your citation number. You can also call 1-877-252-7294 to pay by phone. In-person payments at the courthouse are accepted by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Credit and debit cards work for online and phone payments but come with a convenience fee.

Legal Framework

Traffic offenses in Autauga County fall under Alabama state law. District courts handle misdemeanor traffic cases under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. This includes speeding, running red lights, improper lane changes, and similar violations. Municipal courts in Prattville can prosecute traffic offenses under city ordinances as allowed by Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.

Most traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speed limits and speeding violations are covered in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving falls under Section 32-5A-190. DUI is one of the more serious traffic offenses and is defined in Section 32-5A-191, which lays out penalties that increase with each subsequent offense.

Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Alabama law gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Some records involving minors or sealed cases may have restrictions.

Additional Resources

District Attorney's Office

The District Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit runs criminal traffic cases. Got a pending matter? They can tell you about it. Plea deals are sometimes on the table for certain violations, so it may be worth talking to them. Their office works with the courts on all the prosecutions, so they know what is going on with cases in the system. For less serious stuff like basic speeding, you might be able to work something out. More serious charges like DUI or reckless driving get more attention from prosecutors and tend to have less flexibility.

Legal Aid

Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They have offices throughout the state and can assist with some traffic-related matters. Call their intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for assistance.

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service if you need to hire an attorney for a traffic case. More serious charges like DUI or driving with a suspended license often benefit from having legal representation.

Cities in Autauga County

Autauga County includes several municipalities, with Prattville being the largest. Traffic tickets from city police go through that city's municipal court rather than the county district court. Other towns include Autaugaville, Billingsley, Booth, Marbury, and Pine Level. Each has its own procedures for handling local citations.

Nearby Counties