Access Blount County Traffic Court Records

Traffic court records in Blount County are kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in Oneonta. The county makes up the entire 41st Judicial Circuit, so it has its own dedicated court system. District court handles most traffic tickets - things like speeding on Highway 231 or Highway 79 and other moving violations. The courthouse is currently going through renovations, so some offices have temporarily moved to 1000 Lincoln Avenue. Check with the clerk before visiting to confirm the location. Traffic citations from state troopers or sheriff's deputies go through county district court, while tickets from Oneonta police or other city officers go through municipal court.

Blount County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Blount County. Here is the thing though - the courthouse is being renovated right now. Some offices moved to a temp spot. Call first so you don't waste a trip. The staff can tell you exactly where to go for what you need. Once the work is done, everything goes back to the main building on 2nd Ave East.

Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil actions over $10,000, domestic relations, and juvenile matters. Traffic misdemeanors go through district court unless they're serious enough to qualify as felonies.

How to Search Traffic Records

Online Search

Look up Blount County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Type in a name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. Pick Blount County to get local results.

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours. Because of renovations, call first to confirm the current location. Bring any information you have about the case - defendant name, date of birth, or case number. The staff can search records and provide copies.

Mail Requests

Send requests to the courthouse address with the defendant's information and what documents you need. Include payment for fees. Mail to:

Circuit Clerk, Blount County Courthouse
220 2nd Ave East, Room 208
Oneonta, AL 35121

Fees and Costs

Traffic Court Fines

Traffic fines in Blount County vary by offense. Basic speeding tickets typically cost $190 to $300 with court costs. Running a stop sign or red light is similar. Reckless driving can run $500 or more. First-time DUI offenses start at $600 and go up with additional costs for classes and probation.

Record Copy Fees

Payment Options

Pay traffic fines online at ALAPay.com or call 1-877-252-7294. In person, pay by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Credit cards work for online and phone payments but add a convenience fee.

Court Procedures and What to Expect

After getting a traffic citation in Blount County, check your ticket for the court date and location. With the ongoing courthouse renovations, some court sessions may be held at temporary locations. Call ahead to confirm where you need to appear. Showing up at the wrong place can result in missing your date.

On your court day, arrive 15 to 30 minutes early. Go through security screening and find the right courtroom. When court begins, the judge or clerk calls cases in order. Listen for your name. When called, approach the bench and the judge reads your charge. You enter a plea - guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

If you plead guilty or no contest, sentencing happens right away. The judge looks at your driving history, the nature of the violation, and any other factors before setting your fine. First-time offenders usually get lower fines. Repeat offenders face higher penalties and maybe additional consequences like probation.

If you plead not guilty, you come back for trial. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. At trial, the state presents evidence (usually the officer's testimony), and you can cross-examine and present your own evidence. The judge decides guilt and, if convicted, sets the sentence.

Driver License Points and Consequences

Alabama assigns points to your driving record for traffic violations. These points affect your license status and insurance rates. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency keeps track of all driver records statewide.

Point values depend on the violation. Speeding is 2 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 2 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. DUI is 6 points. Twelve points within 2 years triggers license suspension - 60 days for first offense, 90 days for second within 2 years, and 1 year for third.

Points remain active for 2 years from the date of the violation. After that, they no longer count toward suspension. But the underlying conviction stays on your record longer. Insurance companies can see violations from the past 3 to 5 years and price your policy accordingly.

If your license gets suspended, you cannot legally drive until you reinstate it. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense. To reinstate, pay the fee, wait out the suspension period, and provide any required documentation like SR-22 insurance proof.

Traffic School and Defensive Driving

Defensive driving courses offer a way to reduce points on your Alabama driving record. Completing an approved course removes 2 points. You can use this option once every 5 years. The course must be approved by ALEA.

In Blount County, judges sometimes allow traffic school in lieu of fines or as a condition of dismissal. This happens more often with minor violations and clean driving records. Ask the prosecutor or judge if this option is available for your case.

Online courses are the most convenient option. They cost around $25 to $50 and take 4 to 6 hours to complete. You can do them at your own pace over several days. In-person classes are also available through driving schools and some community colleges.

After finishing the course, you receive a certificate. Submit this to ALEA to get the points removed from your record. Keep a copy for yourself. The point reduction shows up on your driving record within a few weeks after ALEA processes the paperwork.

Legal Framework

Traffic offenses in Blount County follow Alabama law. District courts handle misdemeanor traffic cases under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts process violations of city ordinances per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.

Most traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speeding is covered in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Alabama sets speed limits at 30 mph in urban districts, 45 mph on unpaved county roads, 55 mph on other roads, and 70 mph on interstates. School zones have lower limits when children are present. Reckless driving falls under Section 32-5A-190 and involves willful disregard for safety. DUI charges come from Section 32-5A-191 with a 0.08% BAC limit.

Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. You can inspect and copy records with some restrictions on sealed or juvenile cases. Most traffic records remain accessible to the public.

Appeals from Blount County District Court go to Circuit Court. You have 14 days to file an appeal after the judgment. The appeal gives you a fresh trial, not just a review of the lower court decision. Post an appeal bond and the case proceeds in circuit court with the same burden of proof on the state.

Additional Resources

41st Judicial Circuit

Blount County is the only county in the 41st Judicial Circuit. The judges work just here. They don't rotate to other counties. That means the court system focuses on Blount County matters and nothing else. It can make scheduling easier since judges are local full time.

Legal Assistance

Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to those who qualify. Call 1-866-456-4995. For serious traffic charges, consider hiring an attorney through the Alabama State Bar referral service.

Cities in Blount County

Blount County includes Oneonta, Cleveland, Locust Fork, Hayden, and Susan Moore among others. City police tickets go through municipal court. State trooper and sheriff tickets are handled in county district court.

Nearby Counties