Etowah County Traffic Court Records Search
Traffic court records in Etowah County are kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Gadsden. The 16th Judicial Circuit covers Etowah County alone, so judges focus just on cases here. I-59 runs through the county, and that means steady traffic enforcement from the sheriff and state troopers. District court handles most traffic misdemeanors. Circuit court takes felony cases and appeals. Gadsden, Rainbow City, and other cities run their own municipal courts for city police tickets.
Etowah County Quick Facts
Etowah County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office is the official keeper of all court records in Etowah County. Traffic citations, case outcomes, fine payments, and driving-related criminal records are all here. Need copies? The office can provide them for a fee. Staff handle these requests all the time and can help you figure out what you need if you're not sure where to start.
| Circuit Clerk | Cassandra Sam Johnson |
|---|---|
| Address | 801 Forrest Ave, Suite 202 Gadsden, AL 35901 |
| Phone | (256) 549-2181 or (256) 549-5430 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | etowah.alacourt.gov |
There's a public computer in the Circuit Clerk's office where you can search court records yourself during business hours. Staff can show you how to use it if you haven't done it before.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Etowah County traffic cases can be searched at Alacourt Public Access. This statewide system lets you look up records by name or case number for $9.99 per search. They have monthly subscriptions if you need ongoing access. The Online Traffic Resolution portal lets you find pending tickets with your citation number and date of birth.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Circuit Clerk's office in the Etowah County Courthouse during business hours. Bring the case number if you have it, or the name and rough date of the ticket. Staff can check status, pull copies, and take payments. You can also use the public computer to search on your own.
Mail and Phone
Call (256) 549-2181 for case status or fines. For written requests, mail to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the full name, date of birth, case number if you have it, and what docs you need. Send payment for copy fees. Call first if you're not sure what the fee will be.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Ticket Fines
Traffic fines in Etowah County depend on what you did. A standard speeding ticket runs $150 to $300 with court costs. Stop sign and red light tickets are similar. Reckless driving can top $500. First-offense DUI fines start at $600, but that's just the base. Add in alcohol programs, license reinstatement, and other costs, and you're looking at $1,500 or more total.
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 with a fee. At the courthouse, pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks usually aren't accepted for fines.
Legal Framework
Traffic offenses in Etowah County follow Alabama state law. District courts have original jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts process city ordinance violations.
Traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8. Speed limit laws appear in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is covered by Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191, which sets blood alcohol limits and penalties.
Traffic court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Citizens have the right to access most court documents. Records involving juveniles or certain personal information may have restricted access.
Etowah County is part of the federal Northern District of Alabama for any federal matters. State traffic cases are handled through the county district and circuit courts.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 16th Circuit DA handles traffic cases that go to trial. Want to know about plea deals, traffic school, or case status? Call the DA's office. They can explain what options might work for your situation based on your record and the charge.
| Address | Etowah County Courthouse Gadsden, AL 35901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 549-5380 |
Legal Aid
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income folks. They may help with traffic court in some cases. Call 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.
Gadsden Municipal Court
Gadsden city police tickets go through Gadsden Municipal Court, not the county. Call the city court for those cases. Rainbow City, Attalla, and Glencoe have their own courts too. Make sure you're contacting the right one.
Cities in Etowah County
Etowah County contains numerous municipalities. Cities with police departments typically have their own municipal courts for city-issued tickets. County courts handle sheriff and state trooper citations.
- Gadsden (county seat - population ~33,000)
- Rainbow City
- Attalla
- Southside
- Glencoe
- Hokes Bluff
- Sardis City
- Altoona
- Ridgeville
- Walnut Grove
- Reece City
For city police tickets, call the right municipal court. Sheriff and trooper tickets go through the county circuit clerk's office in Gadsden. Gadsden is the largest city in Etowah County but doesn't quite hit the 50,000 population mark for its own page on this site.