Search Franklin County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Franklin County are kept at the courthouse in Russellville. The 34th Judicial Circuit covers Franklin County alone, so judges focus just on cases here. The county sits in the northwest corner of Alabama and sees traffic enforcement along Highway 43 and other routes to the Shoals area. District court handles most traffic misdemeanors. Circuit court takes felony driving cases. Russellville and Red Bay have their own municipal courts for city police tickets.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office is the official keeper of all court records in Franklin County. Traffic citations, case outcomes, fine payment histories, and driving-related criminal records are kept here. Need copies? Staff can provide them for a fee. They handle these requests all the time and can help you figure out what you need if you're not sure where to start.
| Address | 410 North Jackson Street P.O. Box 160 Russellville, AL 35653 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 332-8861 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklin.alacourt.gov |
Want to get updates on your case by email? Sign up for e-notice at alafile.alacourt.gov. You'll get alerts when something happens with your case instead of waiting for mail.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Franklin County traffic records can be found at Alacourt Public Access. This statewide site lets you search by name or case number for $9.99 per search. They have subscription plans if you need ongoing access. The Online Traffic Resolution system lets you look up pending tickets with your citation number and date of birth.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Franklin 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. There may be a public computer for self-service searches.
Mail and Phone
Call (256) 332-8861 to ask about 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 by check or money order. Call first if you're not sure what the fee will be.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Ticket Fines
Traffic fines in Franklin County vary by offense. 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. First-offense DUI fines start at about $600, but add in alcohol programs, license reinstatement, and maybe an ignition interlock, and the total climbs fast.
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 Franklin County are governed by Alabama state law. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, district courts have original jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations.
Traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless designated as felonies. 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, setting blood alcohol limits and penalties.
Court records are public under Section 36-12-40. Alabama law gives citizens the right to access court documents. Juvenile records and certain personal identifiers may have restricted access.
The 34th Judicial Circuit covers only Franklin County. That means dedicated court resources and typically faster case processing than you'd see in multi-county circuits. Cases don't get delayed by judges traveling to other courthouses.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 34th Circuit DA prosecutes traffic cases that go to trial. Want to know about plea deals, traffic school, or case status? Call the DA's office. They can tell you what options might work for your situation.
| Address | Franklin County Courthouse Russellville, AL 35653 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 332-8810 |
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.
Russellville Municipal Court
Russellville city police tickets go through Russellville Municipal Court, not the county. Call the city court for those cases. Red Bay and Phil Campbell have their own courts too.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County contains several municipalities with police departments. City police citations are handled by municipal courts. Sheriff and state trooper tickets go through the county court system.
- Russellville (county seat)
- Red Bay
- Phil Campbell
- Hodges
- Vina
For city police citations, contact the respective municipal court. Sheriff and trooper tickets are processed through the Circuit Clerk's office in Russellville.