Jackson County Traffic Court Records Search
Traffic court records in Jackson County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office in Scottsboro, the county seat. The 38th Judicial Circuit serves Jackson County exclusively, so judges and court staff focus solely on cases here. Jackson County sits in the northeast corner of Alabama with the Tennessee River forming much of its southern boundary. Traffic enforcement occurs along Highway 72 and other major routes. The district court handles most traffic misdemeanors while the circuit court processes felony driving cases and appeals. Scottsboro has its own municipal court for city police citations.
Jackson County Quick Facts
Jackson County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office is the main place where all court records for Jackson County are kept. That means traffic tickets, case files, fine payment logs, and any criminal matters tied to driving all live here. Staff can look up your case and tell you what you owe, but they can not give you legal tips. It's the law, so don't take it as them being rude. If you need help with the legal side of things, talk to a lawyer. The office is set up to help folks find what they need, but they have to stay in their lane when it comes to giving advice on how to fight a case or what plea to take.
| Circuit Clerk | Bart Buchanan |
|---|---|
| Address | 102 East Laurel St., Suite 307 Scottsboro, AL 35768 |
| Phone | (256) 574-9320 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | jackson.alacourt.gov |
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Jackson County traffic records are available through Alacourt Public Access. This statewide system allows searches by defendant name or case number for $9.99 per search. Subscription options provide ongoing access for regular users. The Online Traffic Resolution portal lets you look up pending citations using your ticket number and date of birth.
In-Person Requests
Head to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Scottsboro. They're open during normal work hours. Bring what info you have. The case number works best. A name and rough date will do too. Staff can look up case status, make copies of what you need, and take fine payments right there.
Mail and Phone
Call (256) 574-9320 for case status or fine amount information. For written requests, mail to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number if available, and specify what documents you need. Include payment for copy fees by check or money order.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Ticket Fines
Traffic fines in Jackson County depend on the violation. A standard speeding ticket typically runs $150 to $300 with court costs. Stop sign and signal violations have similar amounts. Reckless driving can exceed $500 in fines. First-offense DUI fines start around $600, plus mandatory alcohol programs and license reinstatement fees that can add up to $1,500 or more.
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 by phone at 1-877-252-7294. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a convenience fee. At the courthouse, pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are generally not accepted for fine payments.
Legal Framework
Traffic offenses in Jackson 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. 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 38th Judicial Circuit serves only Jackson County. This single-county circuit means dedicated court resources and often faster case processing than multi-county circuits.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 38th Circuit DA takes on traffic cases that go to trial. If you want to work out a plea deal, ask about traffic school, or just check on your case, give their office a call. They deal with the prosecution side of things, so they can tell you what the state is looking for in terms of fines or penalties. Just keep in mind they are not your lawyer, so they won't give you advice on how to beat a charge.
| Address | Jackson County Courthouse Scottsboro, AL 35768 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 574-9316 |
Legal Aid
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals. They may assist with traffic court matters in some cases. Call 1-866-456-4995 to check eligibility.
Scottsboro Municipal Court
Tickets issued by Scottsboro city police go through the Scottsboro Municipal Court, not the county system. Contact the city court for municipal citations. Other cities like Stevenson, Bridgeport, and Hollywood also have municipal courts.
Lake and Recreation Traffic
Jackson County includes Lake Guntersville and sees considerable recreational traffic. Boating citations are handled separately from traffic cases. Contact the Alabama Marine Police or the local game warden office for boat-related violations.
Cities in Jackson County
Jackson County has a bunch of small towns. If a city has its own police force, tickets from those cops go to that town's court. Sheriff and state trooper tickets end up in the county court system instead.
- Scottsboro (county seat)
- Stevenson
- Bridgeport
- Hollywood
- Pisgah
- Woodville
- Dutton
- Skyline
- Section
- Flat Rock
- Paint Rock
- Princeton
For city police tickets, contact the respective municipal court. Sheriff and trooper citations go through the Circuit Clerk's office in Scottsboro.