Morgan County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Morgan County are maintained by Circuit Clerk Chris Priest at the courthouse in Decatur. The county operates within the 8th Judicial Circuit and handles a significant volume of traffic cases from Interstate 65 and Highway 72. Citations from state troopers and sheriff's deputies go through district court, while Decatur city police tickets are handled by Decatur Municipal Court. Personal checks are not accepted for payments, so plan to bring cash, money order, or cashier's check if paying in person. The clerk's office is on the 4th floor and handles CC, DC, and TR case types.
Morgan County Quick Facts
Morgan County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all court records for Morgan County. Chris Priest is the clerk right now. Records for circuit, district, and traffic courts are all here. If you need to pay by mail, make your money order or cashier's check out to "Chris Priest, Circuit Clerk." Personal checks are not accepted, so don't even try that route. The office is on the 4th floor of the courthouse on Lee Street. Staff can help you look up a case, check what you owe, and get copies of any documents you need.
| Circuit Clerk | Chris Priest |
|---|---|
| Address | 302 Lee Street, 4th Floor Decatur, AL 35601 |
| Phone | (256) 351-4790 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | morgan.alacourt.gov |
Decatur Municipal Court
Decatur has its own municipal court. It deals with misdemeanors, traffic tickets, city code issues, and parking violations. If a Decatur cop wrote your ticket, you go there, not the Circuit Clerk.
How to Search Traffic Records in Morgan County
Online Search
Morgan 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 to pay tickets online.
In-Person Requests
Go to the courthouse on Lee Street during work hours. The clerk's office is on the 4th floor. Bring a case number if you have it. A name and rough date work too. Staff can check case status, make copies, and show payment history. Just remember: no personal checks. Bring cash, money order, or cashier's check.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number if known, and specify what documents are needed. Enclose payment (money order or cashier's check payable to Chris Priest, Circuit Clerk). Mail requests to:
Chris Priest, Circuit Clerk
Morgan County Courthouse
302 Lee Street, 4th Floor
Decatur, AL 35601
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic violation fines in Morgan 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 Circuit Clerk's Office (4th floor) by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are NOT accepted and will be returned, causing delays. Credit cards are accepted through AlaPay online or by phone with a convenience fee.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Morgan 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 in Decatur, Hartselle, and other cities have jurisdiction over traffic offenses prosecuted under city ordinances per 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 | 302 Lee Street NE P.O. Box 1727 Decatur, AL 35602 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 351-4610 |
Legal Resources
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal assistance to qualifying individuals in north Alabama. Contact their intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for help with traffic court matters.
The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with local attorneys who handle traffic cases. Call (800) 392-5660 for a referral.
Cities in Morgan County
Morgan County includes the city of Decatur, one of the larger cities in north Alabama. Traffic citations issued by city police are handled by that city's municipal court. Decatur meets the population threshold for a dedicated city page:
Other cities in Morgan County include Hartselle, Falkville, Priceville, Trinity, and Somerville. These smaller communities have municipal courts that handle local traffic citations but do not meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages.