Jefferson County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Jefferson County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office and processed through the district court system within the 10th Judicial Circuit. The county operates two courthouse divisions: Birmingham and Bessemer. Both locations handle traffic misdemeanors and maintain case files for citations issued by sheriff's deputies and state troopers. Municipal courts in Birmingham, Hoover, and other cities handle tickets issued by city police. Jefferson County residents can access traffic records through the statewide Alacourt system or in person at either courthouse location. The Circuit Clerk's office provides copies of case dispositions, payment histories, and other traffic court documents.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all court records for Jefferson County, and that includes traffic case files. What makes Jefferson County stand out is that it runs two courthouse divisions. These aren't just branches of the same office. They work on their own. So if your ticket is from the Birmingham side of the county, you go to Birmingham Division. If it's from Bessemer or the western end, you deal with Bessemer Division. This split can trip people up, so figure out which side your case falls under before you make the trip.
Birmingham Division
The Birmingham Division takes traffic cases from the east side of the county.
| Circuit Clerk | Honorable Jackie Anderson-Smith |
|---|---|
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 420 Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 325-5355 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | jefferson.alacourt.gov |
Bessemer Division
Bessemer Division covers the west side of the county. If you got a ticket near Bessemer, Hueytown, or out that way, this is where your case will be. The staff here can do everything the Birmingham office does. You can pay fines, get copies, and check on case status. The two divisions just split up the workload by geography, which helps keep things moving in a county this big.
| Circuit Clerk | Honorable Karen Dunn Burks |
|---|---|
| Address | 1851 2nd Ave N Bessemer, AL 35020 |
| Phone | (205) 497-8510 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
How to Search Traffic Records in Jefferson County
Online Search
Jefferson County traffic records can be searched through the statewide Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com. Search by defendant name or case number. Access fees apply: $9.99 for a name search, $19.99 to $29.99 for case monitoring subscriptions. The Online Traffic Resolution system allows searching by citation number and date of birth.
In-Person Requests
Visit either courthouse division during business hours to request traffic court records. Bring the case number or defendant name and approximate date of the citation. The clerk's office can provide case status information, copies of documents, and payment histories. Public access computers are available in both locations for searching court records.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be mailed to the appropriate division. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number if known, and specify what documents are needed. Enclose payment for copy fees. Mail requests to:
Circuit Clerk, Jefferson County Courthouse
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 420
Birmingham, AL 35203
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic violation fines in Jefferson County vary based on the offense. Standard speeding tickets typically range from $190 to $300 including court costs. More serious violations carry higher penalties. DUI offenses result in fines from $600 to $2,100 for first offenses plus additional costs.
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
Traffic fines can be paid online through ALAPay.com or by phone at 1-877-252-7294. In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. Credit and debit cards are accepted for online and phone payments with a convenience fee.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Jefferson County are governed by Alabama state law. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, district courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. Municipal courts have jurisdiction over traffic offenses prosecuted under city ordinances pursuant to Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless specifically designated as felonies. Speed limit violations are covered under Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is defined in Section 32-5A-190, and DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191.
Traffic court records are public records under Section 36-12-40, which establishes the right of Alabama citizens to inspect and copy public records held by courts and state agencies.
Additional Contacts
District Attorney's Office
| Address | 801 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 325-5500 |
Legal Resources
Legal Services Alabama has a Birmingham office. They give free legal help if you qualify. Call 1-866-456-4995 to find out.
The Legal Aid Society of Birmingham helps folks who can't pay for a lawyer. They get assigned by the court to handle traffic and municipal cases for people who qualify based on income.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County contains over 35 municipalities. Traffic citations issued by city police are handled by that city's municipal court. The largest cities with municipal courts include:
Other cities in Jefferson County include Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Trussville, Gardendale, Center Point, Hueytown, Irondale, and Leeds. These cities have municipal courts that handle local traffic citations.