Find Traffic Court Records in Barbour County
Traffic court records in Barbour County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office with locations in both Clayton and Eufaula. The county is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Bullock County. Having two courthouse divisions makes things convenient depending on where you live in the county. District court handles most traffic matters - speeding, running stop signs, that kind of thing. If a state trooper wrote your ticket on Highway 431 or a deputy cited you somewhere in the county, that goes through district court. Eufaula and Clayton municipal courts handle tickets from their own city police. The clerk's office keeps all the records and can help you find what you need.
Barbour County Quick Facts
Barbour County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all the court records in Barbour County. Rashawn Harris runs both the Clayton and Eufaula divisions as clerk. Having two locations helps folks in different parts of the county. But watch out - the Eufaula office shuts down on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. If you need to visit that location, plan for a morning trip on those days or go on a different day of the week. Clayton stays open regular hours all week. Either location can help with case lookups, document copies, and questions about pending matters.
Clayton Division
| Circuit Clerk | Rashawn Harris |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Court Square Clayton, AL 36016 |
| Phone | (334) 775-8366 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (CST) |
| Website | barbour.alacourt.gov |
Eufaula Division
| Address | 303 East Broad St., Room 201 Eufaula, AL 36027 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 687-1515 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed Tuesday and Thursday afternoons) |
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Look up Barbour County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Type in a name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. The site has all Alabama courts. Pick Barbour County to get local results.
In-Person Requests
Visit either the Clayton or Eufaula courthouse during business hours. Remember the Eufaula office closes Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Bring the defendant's name, date of birth, or case number if you have it. The staff can pull up case information and provide document copies.
Mail Requests
Send written requests with the defendant's information and specify what documents you need. Include payment for any fees. Mail to either location:
Clayton: Circuit Clerk, 1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016
Eufaula: Circuit Clerk, 303 East Broad St., Room 201, Eufaula, AL 36027
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Fines for traffic violations in Barbour County include court costs. A typical speeding ticket runs $190 to $300 depending on how fast you were going. Stop sign and red light violations are similar. Reckless driving costs more, often $500 plus. DUI first offense fines start at $600 and increase with prior convictions.
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 traffic fines online through ALAPay.com or call 1-877-252-7294. At the courthouse, payments are accepted by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Online and phone payments by credit card include a convenience fee.
Court Procedures and What to Expect
When you receive a traffic citation in Barbour County, the ticket will show your court date and location. Most traffic cases are heard in district court unless you received the ticket from a city police officer, in which case you may appear in municipal court. Arraignments typically happen first, where you enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
If you plead guilty or no contest, the judge will assess your fine right there. If you plead not guilty, the court will set a trial date. You have the right to hire an attorney or represent yourself. For minor traffic violations, many people handle their own cases. But for serious matters like DUI or reckless driving, getting a lawyer is a good idea.
Arrive early on your court date. Dress appropriately - no shorts, tank tops, or hats in the courtroom. Turn off your phone. When your name is called, approach the bench and address the judge as "Your Honor." Be polite and stick to the facts. If you have evidence like photos or witness statements, bring them organized and ready to present.
The judge has discretion on sentencing within the limits set by law. First-time offenders with clean records often get more lenient treatment. Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties. The judge may offer payment plans for fines if you cannot pay the full amount at once.
Driver License Points and Consequences
Alabama uses a point system to track traffic violations. Points go on your driving record when you are convicted of moving violations. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) maintains these records. Too many points can lead to license suspension.
Point values for common violations in Barbour County include: speeding (2 points), running a stop sign or red light (2 points), reckless driving (6 points), and DUI (6 points). You accumulate 12 points within a 2-year period and your license gets suspended for 60 days. A second suspension within 2 years lasts 90 days. A third suspension lasts 1 year.
Points stay on your record for 2 years from the violation date. Insurance companies can see your driving record and may raise your rates based on violations. Some violations like DUI stay on your record much longer and have more serious insurance consequences.
You can check your driving record through ALEA. Request a copy online or by mail. The record shows all violations, points, and any suspensions. This is useful to know where you stand before a court appearance or when applying for jobs that require driving.
Traffic School and Defensive Driving
Alabama allows drivers to take a defensive driving course to get points removed from their driving record. You can do this once every 5 years. The course must be approved by ALEA. Completing the course removes up to 2 points from your record.
Some judges in Barbour County may offer traffic school as part of your sentence. This is especially common for first-time offenders with minor violations. The judge might reduce your fine or dismiss the charge if you complete an approved course. Ask the judge or prosecutor about this option at your hearing.
Defensive driving courses are available online or in person. Online courses typically cost $25 to $50 and take 4 to 6 hours. In-person classes may be available through community colleges or private driving schools. Keep your certificate of completion - you need to submit it to ALEA for the points to come off your record.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Barbour County follow Alabama state law. District courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts can prosecute violations of city traffic ordinances per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Most traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speeding is covered by Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. The law sets different speed limits for different road types - 30 mph in urban districts, 45 mph on unpaved roads, 55 mph on open highways, and 70 mph on interstates unless otherwise posted. Reckless driving falls under Section 32-5A-190, defined as driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety. DUI charges come from Section 32-5A-191 with a legal limit of 0.08% BAC for regular drivers and 0.02% for commercial drivers.
Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Alabama citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records held by courts. Some records may be sealed by court order, but most traffic case files are available to anyone who requests them.
Appeals from district court go to circuit court for a new trial. You have 14 days from the judgment to file an appeal. Appeals from municipal court also go to circuit court. The appeal bond is typically the amount of the fine plus court costs.
Additional Resources
3rd Judicial Circuit
Barbour County sits in the 3rd Judicial Circuit with Bullock County. Circuit judges move between both spots. They hear felony traffic cases here. Appeals land in circuit court too - both from district and municipal courts. If you lost in the lower court, you can take it to circuit for a fresh trial. That means new testimony, new arguments, the whole thing starts over. Just be ready to post a bond when you file the appeal.
Legal Assistance
Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to those who qualify financially. Call 1-866-456-4995 for intake. For serious traffic charges, consider consulting a private attorney through the Alabama State Bar referral service.
Cities in Barbour County
Barbour County includes the cities of Eufaula and Clayton, plus smaller communities. Municipal courts in these cities handle traffic citations from local police. County district court handles tickets written by state troopers and sheriff's deputies.