Chilton County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Chilton County are handled by the Circuit Clerk's office in Clanton. The county is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit along with Autauga and Elmore counties. District court processes most traffic violations including speeding on Interstate 65, which runs straight through the county bringing lots of traffic from Birmingham to Montgomery. State trooper activity is heavy on this stretch. Citations from troopers or sheriff's deputies go through county district court. Clanton city police tickets go through municipal court instead. The clerk's office has separate phone lines for different case types, making it easier to get help with your specific matter.
Chilton County Quick Facts
Chilton County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Chilton County. The office has different phone lines for different case types. Traffic and criminal cases have one number. Civil and domestic matters have another. This setup helps you get to the right person fast. No bouncing around between departments or sitting on hold while they transfer you.
| Circuit Clerk | Burnett |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 2nd Ave. N Clanton, AL 35045 |
| Phone (Main) | (205) 755-1551 or (205) 755-4275 |
| Phone (Traffic/Criminal) | (205) 280-1844 |
| Phone (Civil/Domestic) | (205) 280-0557 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | chilton.alacourt.gov |
The 19th Judicial Circuit has four judges: Amanda Baxley, Joy Booth, Patrick Pinkston, and Dee Dee Calhoon. They rotate between Chilton, Autauga, and Elmore counties.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Look up Chilton County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Type in a name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. Pick Chilton County to get local results.
In-Person Requests
Visit the courthouse in Clanton during regular hours. Bring the defendant's name, date of birth, or case number. Staff can search records and provide copies.
Mail Requests
Send written requests with defendant information and what you need. Include payment for copy fees. Mail to:
Circuit Clerk, Chilton County Courthouse
500 2nd Ave. N
Clanton, AL 35045
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic fines in Chilton County vary by offense. Basic speeding on local roads runs $190 to $300. Interstate 65 speeding tickets can be higher, especially in construction zones. Stop sign violations are similar. Reckless driving often exceeds $500. DUI first offense starts around $600 plus mandatory class costs.
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
The courthouse accepts cash, money order, cashier's check, and credit card. Pay online at ALAPay.com or call 1-877-252-7294. Credit card payments include a convenience fee.
Court Procedures and What to Expect
Interstate 65 runs through Chilton County between Birmingham and Montgomery. State troopers patrol this stretch heavily. If you got a ticket on I-65 or elsewhere in the county from a trooper or deputy, district court in Clanton handles your case. City police tickets go to municipal court.
The clerk's office has separate phone lines for different case types, which helps you get to the right person. Call the traffic/criminal line at (205) 280-1844 for questions about your case. When you go to court, arrive early. Security screening is at the entrance.
When your case is called, approach the bench. The judge reads the charge and asks for your plea - guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Guilty or no contest means immediate sentencing. Not guilty sets a trial date where you can contest the evidence.
The four judges in the 19th Judicial Circuit rotate between Chilton, Autauga, and Elmore counties. District court handles the initial traffic matters. Circuit court hears appeals and felony traffic cases like vehicular homicide.
Driver License Points and Consequences
A conviction for a moving violation in Chilton County adds points to your Alabama driving record. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency tracks points statewide. Too many points leads to license suspension.
Point values: speeding 2 points, running a stop sign or red light 2 points, reckless driving 6 points, DUI 6 points. Interstate speeding carries the same points as regular speeding unless charged as reckless for excessive speed.
Hit 12 points in 2 years and your license gets suspended. First suspension is 60 days, second is 90 days, third is 1 year. Points drop off after 2 years but the conviction remains on your record longer. Insurance companies see your violations and price accordingly.
Check your driving record before your court date. ALEA provides copies for a small fee. If you are near 12 points, fighting the ticket becomes more important. Knowing your status helps you make informed decisions.
Traffic School and Defensive Driving
Defensive driving courses can remove points from your Alabama driving record. Complete an ALEA-approved course and get up to 2 points removed. This option is available once every 5 years.
Chilton County judges may allow traffic school instead of standard sentencing. First offenders with clean records have the best chance. Ask during your hearing or talk to the prosecutor beforehand. Some charges can be dismissed upon completion.
Online courses work well for most people. They cost $25 to $50 and take 4 to 6 hours. Complete them on your schedule. In-person classes are available at driving schools if you prefer face-to-face instruction.
After completing the course, submit your certificate to ALEA. Point reduction happens within a few weeks. Keep a copy of the certificate for your records. Verify the reduction by ordering a new driving record later.
Legal Framework
Traffic offenses in Chilton County follow Alabama state law. District courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic cases under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speed limit laws appear in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. I-65 has a 70 mph limit. Construction zones have reduced limits with doubled fines. Reckless driving is covered by Section 32-5A-190 and means operating with willful disregard for safety. DUI charges come from Section 32-5A-191 with 0.08% BAC limit and enhanced penalties for high BAC or prior offenses.
Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Citizens can inspect and copy records with some exceptions for sealed or juvenile cases.
Appeals go from district court to circuit court within 14 days of judgment. You get a new trial, not just a review. Post an appeal bond equal to your fine plus costs. Circuit court considers the case fresh without deference to the lower court.
Additional Resources
19th Judicial Circuit
Chilton County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit. Autauga and Elmore counties share the same circuit. Four judges work all three spots. They rotate around. Circuit court takes felony cases. It also hears appeals when folks want to fight a district court ruling.
Legal Assistance
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to qualifying individuals. Call 1-866-456-4995. For serious traffic charges, use the Alabama State Bar referral service.
Cities in Chilton County
Chilton County includes Clanton, Jemison, Thorsby, Maplesville, and Verbena. Municipal courts handle city police tickets. County district court processes state trooper and sheriff citations.