Search Baldwin County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Baldwin County are handled by the Circuit Clerk's office in Bay Minette. As part of the 28th Judicial Circuit, the county operates the main courthouse plus satellite offices in Fairhope and Foley to serve this large coastal county. District court processes most traffic tickets, while municipal courts in beach towns like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach handle city police citations. The clerk's office maintains records for all county court cases. Baldwin County sees heavy traffic during tourist season, which means more tickets get issued on Highway 59 and other beach routes. If you got a citation from a state trooper or sheriff's deputy, your case goes through the county system.
Baldwin County Quick Facts
Baldwin County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk runs all court records in Baldwin County. Good news for folks in the southern part of the county - there are satellite offices in Fairhope and Foley. So you don't always have to drive up to Bay Minette. That said, phone calls and mail still go to the main office. Need to look up a traffic case? The clerk's staff can help. Want copies of court papers? They do that too. Check the status of a pending case? Same deal. The extra locations make things easier when you need to handle court business in person without the long drive north.
Main Office - Bay Minette
| Circuit Clerk | Jody Wise |
|---|---|
| Address | 312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10 Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
| Phone | (251) 937-9561 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | baldwin.alacourt.gov |
Satellite Offices
Baldwin County operates two satellite offices for convenience:
- Fairhope: 1100 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532
- Foley: 201 East Section Street, Foley, AL 36535
Note that all calls and mail should go to the Bay Minette main office.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Look up Baldwin County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. You need a name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99 each. The site has all Alabama courts. Pick Baldwin County to get local results.
In-Person Requests
Visit any of the three Baldwin County court locations during business hours. The main courthouse in Bay Minette has the most complete services. Bring whatever information you have - name, date of birth, citation number, or case number. Staff can look up records and provide copies. Public access computers are available for self-service searches.
Mail Requests
Written requests should include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and what documents you need. Include payment for copy fees. Send to:
Circuit Clerk, Baldwin County Courthouse
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic fines in Baldwin County vary by offense. Standard speeding tickets typically cost between $190 and $300 with court costs included. Beach traffic violations sometimes carry enhanced penalties during peak tourist season. Reckless driving fines can exceed $500. First-time DUI offenses start around $600 and go up from there, plus you'll have additional costs for classes and license reinstatement.
Record Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages (over 20) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Alacourt name search | $9.99 |
Payment Options
Pay fines online at ALAPay.com with your citation number. Phone payments are accepted at 1-877-252-7294. At the courthouse, pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Credit cards are accepted online and by phone with a convenience fee added.
Legal Framework
Traffic law enforcement in Baldwin County follows Alabama state statutes. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, district courts handle misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. Municipal courts in cities like Gulf Shores, Fairhope, and Foley can prosecute traffic offenses under city ordinances per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless designated otherwise. Speeding laws appear in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is covered by Section 32-5A-190. DUI charges fall under Section 32-5A-191, with penalties that get worse for repeat offenders.
Traffic court records are public under Section 36-12-40. You have the right to inspect and copy court records, though some restrictions apply to juvenile cases and sealed records.
Additional Resources
Court Jurisdiction
Circuit Court in Baldwin County hears felony cases. Civil suits over $10,000 go there too. Same with domestic cases and juvenile matters. Traffic tickets - the misdemeanor kind - stay in district court. Got a bad result at the lower level? You can appeal to circuit court. That goes for both district and municipal court decisions. The appeal gives you a fresh start with a new trial, not just a review of what happened before. It costs money to appeal though, so weigh that against the fine and points you are trying to avoid.
Legal Aid
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents. Call 1-866-456-4995 for their intake line. For serious traffic charges, the Alabama State Bar lawyer referral service can help you find an attorney.
Cities in Baldwin County
Baldwin County has numerous municipalities with their own police departments and municipal courts. Major cities include Gulf Shores, Fairhope, Daphne, Foley, Orange Beach, and Spanish Fort. Traffic tickets issued by city police go through municipal court. Citations from state troopers or sheriff's deputies are handled at the county level.