Find Traffic Court Records in Calhoun County

Traffic court records in Calhoun County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office in Anniston. As part of the 7th Judicial Circuit along with Cleburne County, Calhoun has a busy court system serving the Anniston-Oxford metro area. District court handles most traffic tickets - speeding, running lights, following too close, and similar violations. Interstate 20 runs through the county, bringing lots of through traffic and state trooper activity. Citations from troopers or sheriff's deputies go through county district court. Anniston, Oxford, and other city police tickets are processed in municipal court. The clerk's office in the Ken Joiner Administration Building can help you find traffic case records.

Calhoun County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records for Calhoun County. The office sits in the Ken Joiner Building on Noble Street. Want to search on your own? A public computer is right there for that. You can look up cases yourself or ask staff for help. The office handles record requests, copy orders, and questions about case status. Being one of the bigger counties in Alabama, the office stays busy - but they know their stuff.

Additional forms and filing instructions are available at the statewide court website, www.alacourt.gov. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice but can explain procedures and provide forms.

How to Search Traffic Records

Online Search

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

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the Ken Joiner Administration Building during business hours. The public access computer lets you search records yourself. Staff can help with more detailed requests, provide copies, and answer questions about case status.

Mail Requests

Written requests should include the defendant's name, date of birth if known, and what documents you need. Include payment for copy fees. Mail to:

Circuit Clerk, Calhoun County
1702 Noble St
Anniston, AL 36201

Fees and Costs

Traffic Court Fines

Fines in Calhoun County vary by offense and include court costs. Standard speeding tickets range from $190 to $300. Interstate speeding violations may be higher. Running a red light or stop sign costs similar amounts. Reckless driving fines can exceed $500. DUI first offense starts at $600 plus costs for classes and probation.

Record Copy Fees

Payment Options

Pay fines online at ALAPay.com or call 1-877-252-7294. In person, pay by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Credit card payments online include a convenience fee.

Court Procedures and What to Expect

Traffic tickets in Calhoun County go to different courts depending on who issued them. State trooper tickets from Interstate 20 and sheriff deputy citations go to district court. City police tickets from Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, or other municipalities go to that city's municipal court. Check your ticket for the exact court and location.

Arrive at court early. The Ken Joiner Administration Building has security screening at the entrance. Find the right courtroom and wait for your case to be called. When your name is announced, approach the bench. The judge reads the charge and asks for your plea.

Your plea options are guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Guilty or no contest pleas lead to immediate sentencing. Not guilty pleas result in a trial date. At trial, the officer testifies about the stop and violation. You can question the officer and present your own evidence or witnesses.

The public access computer in the clerk's office lets you look up your case status before the hearing. Knowing where your case stands helps you prepare. If you plan to fight the ticket, consider consulting with a traffic attorney. For serious violations like DUI, legal representation is strongly recommended.

Driver License Points and Consequences

Calhoun County is a busy area with Interstate 20 running through it. State troopers patrol the highway heavily. A conviction for any moving violation adds points to your Alabama driving record. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains these records.

Points vary by violation: speeding 2 points, failure to yield 2 points, reckless driving 6 points, DUI 6 points. Interstate speeding tickets carry the same points as other speeding tickets, but high speeds may be charged as reckless driving instead.

Twelve points in 2 years means license suspension. First suspension is 60 days, second is 90 days, third is a full year. Points expire 2 years after the violation date but the conviction stays on your record longer. Insurance companies see violations and adjust rates accordingly.

If your license is suspended, you cannot drive legally until you reinstate it. Driving on a suspended license is a crime with potential jail time. Reinstatement requires paying fees, waiting out the suspension, and possibly providing SR-22 insurance proof.

Traffic School and Defensive Driving

Alabama allows point reduction through defensive driving courses. Complete an ALEA-approved course and remove up to 2 points from your record. This option is available once every 5 years.

Calhoun County judges may offer traffic school as an alternative to standard sentencing. This is more common for first offenders with clean records. Ask the prosecutor or judge if traffic school is an option. Some cases can be dismissed upon successful completion.

Online courses are popular because you can complete them at home on your own schedule. They cost $25 to $50 and take several hours. In-person classes are available at driving schools and some community colleges in the Anniston area.

After completing the course, submit your certificate to ALEA. The point reduction processes within a few weeks. Keep a copy of the certificate for your records in case there are any issues.

Legal Framework

Traffic cases in Calhoun County follow Alabama state law. District courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts in Anniston, Oxford, and other cities handle city ordinance violations per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.

Most traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speeding laws are in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Interstate 20 has a 70 mph limit. School zones and construction areas have reduced limits with enhanced penalties for violations. Reckless driving is Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191 with escalating penalties for repeat offenders - second offense within 5 years brings mandatory jail time.

Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Citizens can inspect and copy records with some exceptions for sealed or juvenile cases.

Appeals from district court go to circuit court. File within 14 days of judgment. The appeal gives you a completely new trial. Post an appeal bond and the case proceeds fresh in circuit court. An attorney can guide you through the appeals process.

Additional Resources

7th Judicial Circuit

Calhoun County is in the 7th Judicial Circuit with Cleburne County. The judges work both spots. Circuit court takes felony cases. It also hears appeals. Lost in district or municipal court? You can take it up to circuit for a new trial. Just file within 14 days and post a bond.

Legal Assistance

Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to qualifying individuals. Call 1-866-456-4995 for intake. The Alabama State Bar referral service can help find an attorney for serious traffic matters.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County includes Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, Piedmont, Weaver, and Hobson City among others. Each city with police handles its own citations through municipal court. County district court handles state trooper and sheriff tickets.

Nearby Counties