Dallas County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Dallas County are kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Selma. The 4th Judicial Circuit handles court matters here, and that circuit is shared with Bibb, Hale, Perry, and Wilcox Counties. Dallas County uses district court for misdemeanors and circuit court for more serious charges. Selma Municipal Court handles tickets from city police. Highway 80 runs through the county and sees quite a bit of traffic enforcement from both the sheriff and state troopers.
Dallas County Quick Facts
Dallas County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of all court records in Dallas County. This covers traffic citations, case outcomes, payment histories, and sentencing records. Need a certified copy of something? The clerk's office can get that for you - there's a fee for copies, but it's not too steep. Staff handle these requests regularly and can walk you through what you need if you're unsure. Just bring as much info about your case as you can.
| Circuit Clerk | Lynnethia Bennett |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 Lauderdale Street P.O. Box 1148 Selma, AL 36702 |
| Phone | (334) 874-2523 |
| Dallas@vote.alabama.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | dallas.alacourt.gov |
Keep in mind the Circuit Clerk can't give legal advice - Alabama law prohibits that. If you need help understanding your case or options, talk to a lawyer.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Dallas County traffic cases can be searched through Alacourt Public Access. This statewide site lets you search by name or case number. A name search costs $9.99. For pending tickets, use the Online Traffic Resolution system - just enter your ticket number and date of birth. It's a quick way to see what you owe and when your court date is.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Dallas County Courthouse in downtown Selma during business hours. Bring the case number or the name of the defendant and a rough idea of when the ticket was issued. Staff can look up case status and give you copies. They also take payments. There's a public computer for self-service searches if you'd rather look things up on your own.
Mail Requests
Mail written requests to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Put in the full name, date of birth if you have it, case number, and what docs you need. Send payment for copy fees by check or money order to the Dallas County Circuit Clerk. If you're not sure how much to send, call first to get the exact amount.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Ticket Fines
Fines in Dallas County depend on the offense and your record. A standard speeding ticket costs $150 to $300 with court costs. Stop sign and red light tickets are about the same. Reckless driving can top $500 plus costs. First-offense DUI fines start at about $600, but that's just the base. Add in alcohol programs, license reinstatement, and maybe an ignition interlock device, and the total climbs fast. Prior convictions make everything more expensive.
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. They take credit and debit cards but add a fee. At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. Personal checks usually aren't accepted for fines.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Dallas County follow Alabama state traffic laws. The district court has exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations.
Traffic offenses are classified mostly as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speed limit laws are found in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178 of the Code. Reckless driving is covered by Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191, which sets out the blood alcohol limits and penalties for impaired driving.
Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Alabama law gives citizens the right to inspect and copy most court documents. Certain records involving juveniles or sensitive personal information may have restricted access.
The 4th Judicial Circuit covers five counties. Judges rotate between courthouses. This can slow things down, and some cases take longer than they would in a smaller circuit. Check with the clerk about court dates and which judge you'll see.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 4th Circuit District Attorney handles traffic cases that go to trial. Want to know about plea deals, traffic school, or your pending charges? Call the DA's office. They can explain what options might be on the table for your situation.
| Address | Dallas County Courthouse Selma, AL 36701 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 874-2520 |
Legal Aid
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income residents. They may help with traffic court in some cases. Call 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.
Selma Municipal Court
Selma city police tickets go through Selma Municipal Court, not the county. Call the city court for info on municipal tickets, fines, and court dates. Don't assume the county numbers will work for city cases - they're two separate systems.
Cities in Dallas County
Dallas County has several incorporated municipalities. Each city with its own police force typically has a municipal court that handles tickets issued by city officers. The county court system processes citations from sheriff's deputies and state troopers.
- Selma (county seat)
- Orrville
- Valley Grande
- Sardis
For tickets written by city police, contact the appropriate municipal court. For citations issued by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office or Alabama State Troopers, contact the Circuit Clerk in Selma.