Pickens County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Pickens County go through the district court. This is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Carrollton keeps all court files. Got a ticket from a trooper on Highway 86? Local cop write you up? The courthouse has the info. You can get records online through Alacourt or go in person to check things out. The clerk staff can pull up what you owe. They handle payment history and make copies.
Pickens County Quick Facts
Pickens County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court files in Pickens County. Need to find traffic case info? Staff can help. They will tell you what you owe and make copies of docs. The office sits in the courthouse on the town square in Carrollton. It is easy to find once you get to town. Staff there tend to be helpful if you come in with questions about your case. You can also call ahead to check hours before you drive over.
| Circuit Clerk | Keith "Booty" Cox |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Courthouse Square, Suite 106 Carrollton, AL 35447 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 370 Carrollton, AL 35447 |
| Phone | (205) 367-2050 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | pickens.alacourt.gov |
How to Search Traffic Records in Pickens County
Online Search
Search Pickens County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Use a name or case number. The site charges fees. Want to pay a ticket or check status? The Online Traffic Resolution tool lets you look up by citation number. This is often the fastest way to deal with a simple ticket without having to make a trip to the courthouse.
In-Person Requests
Head to the Pickens County Courthouse during business hours to request traffic records. The courthouse sits on the town square in Carrollton. Bring whatever info you have about the case, like the defendant name or citation date. Clerk staff can look up cases, tell you amounts owed, and make copies of documents. A public access computer is available in the office for searching records yourself.
Mail Requests
Send written requests to the Circuit Clerk by mail. Put the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number if you know it, and what documents you want. Include payment for copy fees. Mail your request to:
Circuit Clerk, Pickens County Courthouse
P.O. Box 370
Carrollton, AL 35447
Phone Inquiries
Call (205) 367-2050 for basic case info. Staff can check if a case exists. They will give you the status and tell you what you owe. Need copies? You have to come in or mail a request. Phone calls work well when you just need a quick answer about whether you have an open case or how much to pay off a ticket.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Fines depend on what you did. A basic speeding ticket costs $150 to $300 with court costs. Reckless driving hits harder. First DUI runs $600 to $2,100 before all the extra fees. That total climbs fast when you add in court costs, state fees, and other charges. The exact amount varies based on how bad the offense was. Some violations also come with points on your license, which can raise your insurance rates down the road.
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 call 1-877-252-7294. At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. Online and phone payments take credit and debit cards but add a convenience fee.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Pickens County follow Alabama state law. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, the district court handles misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. This covers most tickets like speeding, running stop signs, and similar violations. Municipal courts deal with tickets issued under city ordinances as set out in Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Most traffic violations are misdemeanors per Section 32-5A-8. Speed limit laws are in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving falls under Section 32-5A-190. DUI charges come under Section 32-5A-191 and can be misdemeanors or felonies based on your record.
Court records are generally public under Section 36-12-40. This means anyone can look at and get copies of traffic court records, with some exceptions for sealed or juvenile cases.
Pickens County sits in the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Lamar Counties. The current Circuit Judge is Sam Junkin. District Judge Lance Bailey handles many traffic matters at the district court level.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 24th Circuit DA handles traffic cases here. Need to talk about your case? Want to ask about a plea deal? Give them a call. The DA's office deals with all the tickets that end up going to trial in Pickens County. If you plan to contest a charge, you may end up talking with someone from this office before your court date to see if you can work something out.
Legal Aid
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help if you meet income limits. They may be able to help with traffic cases. Call 1-866-456-4995 for intake. Not everyone qualifies, but they can tell you quickly over the phone if you might be able to get help with your situation.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
For driving records, license questions, or points on your license, reach out to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). They keep driving records separate from court records.
Cities in Pickens County
Pickens County has a handful of small towns and communities. Carrollton is the county seat and largest town. Traffic tickets from city police usually go to that city's municipal court. Tickets from sheriff's deputies or state troopers go to district court.
Towns in Pickens County include Carrollton, Reform, Aliceville, and Gordo. Each may have its own municipal court for handling local traffic citations.