Access Russell County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Russell County are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Phenix City. This is part of the 26th Judicial Circuit. Russell County sits on the Georgia line across from Columbus. Lots of cars pass through here, so plenty of tickets get written. The district court handles tickets from deputies, troopers, and local cops. Need to find a case? Check what you owe? Visit the courthouse or search Alacourt online. Staff can help with lookups, payment history, and copies.
Russell County Quick Facts
Russell County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court files in Russell County. The office handles traffic records, case filings, and doc requests. Staff can tell you about case status and what you owe. They deal with a lot of cases given the busy traffic in this border area. If you call or walk in, they can usually pull up your info pretty fast as long as you have your name and date of birth handy.
| Circuit Clerk | Jody Sellers |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 14th Street Phenix City, AL 36867 |
| Phone | (334) 298-0516 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | russell.alacourt.gov |
Circuit Court Judges
Russell County has two Circuit Court judges: David Johnson and Zachary T. Collins. Most traffic matters are heard in district court, but appeals and more serious cases may go before the circuit judges.
How to Search Traffic Records in Russell County
Online Search
Russell County traffic records can be searched through the Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com. You need the defendant name or case number to search. Access fees apply. The Online Traffic Resolution system lets you look up tickets by citation number and pay fines.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Russell County Courthouse in Phenix City during business hours to request traffic records. Bring case information like the defendant name, date of citation, or case number. Staff can look up case status, show amounts owed, and provide copies. Public access computers are available for searching records yourself.
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 what documents you need. Send payment for copy fees with your request to:
Circuit Clerk, Russell County Courthouse
501 14th Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone Inquiries
Call (334) 298-0516 for basic case info. Staff can check if a case exists. They will tell you the status and balance owed. Need copies? Come in person or mail a request. Phone calls work best when you just want quick answers about whether you have an open case or need to know how much to pay off a ticket.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Fines in Russell County vary by what you did. Basic speeding runs $150 to $300 with court costs. More serious stuff costs more. First DUI can hit $600 to $2,100 plus extra fees on top. The total climbs fast once they add in state surcharges and all the court costs. Some tickets also put points on your license. That can raise your insurance rates for several years afterward.
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 through ALAPay.com or by phone at 1-877-252-7294. In person, pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. Credit and debit cards work for online and phone payments with a convenience fee.
Legal Framework
Traffic cases in Russell County are governed by Alabama state law. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, the district court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic violations are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless specifically designated as felonies. Speed limits are in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is in Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191.
Traffic court records are public records per Section 36-12-40, which gives citizens the right to inspect and copy court records.
Russell County is the sole county in the 26th Judicial Circuit. The circuit has its own judges dedicated to Russell County cases.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 26th Circuit DA handles traffic cases here. Got questions about a pending case? Want to talk about a plea? Give them a call. They deal with all the tickets that end up going to trial. If you plan to fight a charge, you may end up talking with someone from this office before your court date to see if you can work something out.
Phenix City Municipal Court
Tickets from Phenix City Police go to Phenix City Municipal Court. This is not the same as district court. Got a ticket from a city cop? Contact the municipal court. Phenix City has around 37,000 people. It is one of the bigger cities in east Alabama. The municipal court handles a lot of cases from city traffic stops. Make sure you know which court has your ticket before you try to pay or look up info.
Legal Aid
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal assistance to qualifying residents. Call 1-866-456-4995 for intake.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
For driver's license questions, driving records, or point inquiries, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
Cities in Russell County
Russell County includes Phenix City and several smaller communities. Phenix City is the county seat and largest city, sitting directly across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia. Citations from city police go to municipal court, while sheriff and trooper tickets go to district court.
Towns in Russell County include Phenix City, Hurtsboro, and Seale. The Phenix City Municipal Court handles most city traffic violations.