Find Traffic Court Records in Clarke County
Traffic court records in Clarke County are managed by the Circuit Clerk's office in Grove Hill. The county shares the 1st Judicial Circuit with Choctaw and Washington counties, so circuit judges rotate between all three. District court handles most traffic violations - speeding on Highway 43 or Highway 84, running stop signs, following too close, and similar infractions. Clarke County is fairly spread out, so state troopers and sheriff's deputies cover a lot of territory. Tickets from those officers go through county district court. City police citations from Grove Hill, Jackson, or Thomasville go through municipal court. The clerk's office closes for lunch from noon to 1 PM, so plan accordingly.
Clarke County Quick Facts
Clarke County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Clarke County. Summer Padgett runs the office. One thing to know - they close for lunch every day from noon to 1 PM. If you show up during that hour, the door will be locked. Plan your visit for morning or later in the afternoon to avoid a wasted trip.
| Circuit Clerk | Summer Padgett |
|---|---|
| Address | 114 Court Street Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 921 Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Phone | (251) 275-3163 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch) |
| Website | clarke.alacourt.gov |
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Look up Clarke County traffic records through pa.alacourt.com. Search by name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. Choose Clarke County from the court list.
In-Person Requests
Visit the courthouse in Grove Hill during business hours. Remember they close for lunch from noon to 1 PM. Bring the defendant's name, date of birth, or case number. Staff can search records and provide copies.
Mail Requests
Written requests should include defendant information and what you need. Include payment for fees. Mail to:
Circuit Clerk, Clarke County Courthouse
P.O. Box 921
Grove Hill, AL 36451
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic fines in Clarke County depend on the offense and include court costs. Basic speeding tickets typically cost $190 to $300. Stop sign violations are similar. Reckless driving fines can exceed $500. DUI first offense starts around $600 plus mandatory class costs and license fees.
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 at ALAPay.com or call 1-877-252-7294. In person, pay by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Credit card payments online have a convenience fee.
Court Procedures and What to Expect
Clarke County is spread out, with highways 43 and 84 bringing traffic through. State trooper and sheriff citations go to district court in Grove Hill. City police tickets from Grove Hill, Jackson, or Thomasville go to municipal court. Check your ticket for the right court.
Remember the clerk's office closes for lunch from noon to 1 PM. Plan your visit for morning or afternoon. On your court date, arrive early. Go through security and find the courtroom. When called, approach the bench for arraignment.
The judge reads the charge and asks for your plea. Guilty or no contest leads to immediate sentencing. Not guilty gets you a trial date. At trial, the officer testifies and you can cross-examine and present your defense. The judge decides based on the evidence.
Fines are due at sentencing unless you arrange a payment plan. Missing payments leads to additional penalties. For serious charges like DUI, consider hiring an attorney. Legal Services Alabama helps those who qualify financially.
Driver License Points and Consequences
Traffic tickets in Clarke County put points on your driving record. ALEA keeps track of all this. Stack up too many points and you lose your license. Simple as that.
Point values: speeding 2 points, running a stop sign 2 points, reckless driving 6 points, DUI 6 points. Twelve points in 2 years means suspension - 60 days first time, 90 days second, 1 year third.
Points stay active for 2 years from the violation date. The conviction remains on your record longer. Insurance companies see your violations and adjust rates. Multiple tickets in a short period significantly raises premiums.
Check your driving record through ALEA before your court date. Knowing your point total helps you decide how to handle the case. If you are near suspension, fighting the ticket becomes more important.
Traffic School and Defensive Driving
Defensive driving courses offer point reduction in Alabama. Complete an ALEA-approved course to remove up to 2 points. This option is available once every 5 years.
Clarke County judges may allow traffic school as an alternative to standard fines. First offenders with minor violations have better chances. Ask the prosecutor or judge during your hearing. Completion might lead to reduced penalties or dismissal.
Online courses work well for people in rural Clarke County. They cost $25 to $50 and take several hours. Work through the material at your pace. In-person classes are available in larger cities like Mobile.
After completing the course, submit your certificate to ALEA. Point reduction processes within a few weeks. Keep a copy for your records. Verify the points were removed by ordering a new driving record.
Legal Framework
Traffic offenses in Clarke County follow Alabama state law. District courts handle misdemeanor traffic cases under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts in Grove Hill, Jackson, and Thomasville can prosecute city ordinance violations per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speeding is covered in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Limits are 30 mph in town, 45 mph unpaved roads, 55 mph on highways. Reckless driving falls under Section 32-5A-190 and requires showing willful disregard for safety. DUI charges come from Section 32-5A-191 with mandatory minimum penalties.
Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Citizens can inspect and copy records with some restrictions for sealed and juvenile cases.
District court decisions can be appealed to circuit court within 14 days. The appeal gives you a fresh trial. Post an appeal bond and the case proceeds in circuit court. Consider an attorney for the appeals process.
Additional Resources
1st Judicial Circuit
Clarke County is in the 1st Judicial Circuit. Choctaw and Washington counties share the same setup. Judges work all three spots. They rotate between them. Circuit court takes felonies and appeals from the lower courts when someone wants to fight a ruling.
Legal Assistance
Legal Services Alabama provides 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 Clarke County
Clarke County includes Grove Hill, Jackson, Thomasville, Coffeeville, and Fulton. Municipal courts handle city police citations. County district court processes tickets from state troopers and sheriff's deputies.