Search Choctaw County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Choctaw County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office in Butler, which serves as the county seat. The county is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit along with Clarke and Washington counties. District court handles most traffic matters including speeding citations, stop sign violations, and other moving infractions. Choctaw County is rural and sits in southwestern Alabama near the Mississippi border. If you got a ticket from a state trooper on Highway 17 or a sheriff's deputy anywhere in the county, your case goes through district court here. The clerk's office also serves as the Absentee Election Manager, so they stay busy with multiple duties.
Choctaw County Quick Facts
Choctaw County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk handles all court records in Choctaw County. The office is in the courthouse on South Mulberry in Butler. Note that the city of Butler in Choctaw County is different from Butler County, which is a separate jurisdiction with Greenville as its county seat.
| Address | 117 South Mulberry, Suite 11 Butler, AL 36904-2557 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 459-2166 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | choctaw.alacourt.gov |
Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, felony prosecutions, and disputes exceeding $10,000. Traffic misdemeanors go through district court unless they involve felony charges.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Look up Choctaw County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Type in a name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. Pick Choctaw County to get local results.
In-Person Requests
Visit the courthouse in Butler during business hours. Bring whatever information you have - defendant name, date of birth, or case number. Staff can search records and provide copies of documents.
Mail Requests
Send written requests with defendant information and what you need. Include payment for copy fees. Mail to:
Circuit Clerk, Choctaw County Courthouse
117 South Mulberry, Suite 11
Butler, AL 36904
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic fines in Choctaw County include court costs on top of the base fine. Standard speeding tickets run $190 to $300. Stop sign and signal violations are similar. Reckless driving can exceed $500. DUI first offense starts around $600 plus costs for mandatory classes.
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 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
Choctaw County is rural and sits in southwestern Alabama near the Mississippi border. If you got a traffic ticket here, district court in Butler handles the case. Do not confuse Butler the city (county seat of Choctaw County) with Butler County, which is a different jurisdiction.
On your court date, arrive early to the courthouse on South Mulberry. Go through security and find the right courtroom. When your name is called, approach the bench. The judge reads the charge and asks for your plea.
Pleading guilty or no contest results in immediate sentencing. The judge sets your fine based on the violation and your driving history. Pleading not guilty gets you a trial date. At trial, the state must prove you committed the violation.
The 1st Judicial Circuit covers Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington counties. Circuit judges rotate between locations. For serious traffic charges, the case may go to circuit court instead of district court. DUI cases often involve additional requirements like alcohol evaluations.
Driver License Points and Consequences
Traffic tickets in Choctaw County put points on your Alabama driving record. ALEA tracks all of this statewide. Get too many points and they suspend your license. Every moving violation adds to your total - speeding, stop signs, you name it.
Standard point values: speeding 2 points, stop sign or red light violation 2 points, reckless driving 6 points, DUI 6 points. Hit 12 points in 2 years and your license gets suspended. First suspension 60 days, second 90 days, third 1 year.
Points stay on your record for 2 years from the violation date. The underlying conviction remains visible longer. Insurance companies check records and raise rates for drivers with violations on their record.
You can order a copy of your driving record from ALEA to see your current point status. This helps you decide how to handle a new ticket. If you are close to suspension, fighting even minor citations may be worthwhile.
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. You can use this option once every 5 years.
Choctaw County judges may offer traffic school as part of sentencing. This happens more often with first offenders and minor violations. Ask about it during your hearing. Completing the course might reduce your fine or lead to dismissal.
Online courses are convenient for people in rural areas like Choctaw County. They cost $25 to $50 and take several hours. You work through the material at your own pace. In-person options exist at driving schools in larger nearby cities.
Submit your completion certificate to ALEA for point reduction. The process takes a few weeks. Keep a copy for your records and verify the reduction by ordering a new driving record later.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Choctaw County follow Alabama state law. District courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts can handle city ordinance violations per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speeding laws appear in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Limits are 30 mph urban, 45 mph unpaved roads, 55 mph highways. Reckless driving is Section 32-5A-190 and involves willful disregard for safety. DUI charges fall under 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 exceptions for sealed cases.
Appeals from district court go to circuit court. File within 14 days of judgment. The appeal results in a completely new trial. Post a bond equal to your fine plus costs. The circuit court considers the case without deference to the lower court decision.
Additional Resources
1st Judicial Circuit
Choctaw County sits in the 1st Judicial Circuit. Clarke and Washington counties are in there too. The judges work all three spots. Circuit court takes felonies. It also hears appeals when someone wants a second chance after losing in district or municipal court.
Legal Assistance
Legal Services Alabama offers free legal help to qualifying individuals. Call 1-866-456-4995 for intake. The Alabama State Bar can refer you to an attorney for serious matters.
Cities in Choctaw County
Choctaw County includes Butler, Gilbertown, Lisman, Pennington, Silas, and Toxey. Municipal courts handle tickets from city police. County district court processes state trooper and sheriff citations.