Search St. Clair County Traffic Court Records

Traffic court records in St. Clair County go through the district court. This is part of the 30th Judicial Circuit. St. Clair has two county seats so court work is split between Ashville and Pell City. Both spots have a Circuit Clerk office that keeps traffic files. I-20 runs through the county. Lots of tickets get written out here. Need to look up a ticket? Check your balance? Visit either courthouse or search Alacourt online. Staff handle case lookups and copies.

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk

St. Clair County runs two courthouses. Which one has your case depends on where you got the ticket. The Circuit Clerk keeps traffic files and gives public access at both spots. This dual setup goes way back in county history. It can be a bit confusing at first, but staff at either location can tell you if your case is there or if you need to go to the other courthouse instead.

Ashville Division

Pell City Division

Note: The Circuit Clerk is prohibited by law from giving legal advice. If you have legal questions about your traffic case, you should consult with an attorney.

How to Search Traffic Records in St. Clair County

Online Search

St. Clair County traffic records are searchable through the statewide Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com. Search by defendant name or case number to find records. Access fees apply. The Online Traffic Resolution site lets you look up tickets by citation number and pay fines.

In-Person Requests

Visit either the Ashville or Pell City courthouse during business hours to request traffic records. If you know which division handles your case, go to that location. Bring any information you have about the case. Staff can look up case status, show amounts owed, and provide copies of documents.

Mail Requests

Written requests for records can be mailed to either courthouse location. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number if known, and what documents you need. Send payment for copy fees. Choose the correct location based on where your case was filed:

Ashville: Circuit Clerk, 100 6th Avenue, Suite 400, Ashville, AL 35953

Pell City: Circuit Clerk, 1815 Cogswell Avenue, Pell City, AL 35125

Phone Inquiries

Call Ashville at (205) 594-2184 or Pell City at (205) 338-2511 for case info. Staff can check if a case exists. They will tell you the status and what you owe. Need copies? Come in person or mail a request. If you are not sure which office has your case, just call either one. They can look it up and point you to the right place.

Fees and Costs

Traffic Court Fines

Fines in St. Clair 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. Given the I-20 traffic through the county, lots of speeding tickets get written here. The total climbs fast when they add in all the state surcharges. Points on your license can also raise your insurance rates for years.

Record Copy Fees

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 may not be accepted. Credit and debit cards work for online and phone payments with a convenience fee.

Legal Framework

Traffic cases in St. Clair County follow 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 classified as misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless specifically designated as felonies. Speed limit violations fall under Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is in Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses are covered in Section 32-5A-191.

Traffic court records are public records per Section 36-12-40, giving citizens the right to inspect and copy court records.

St. Clair County is the sole county in the 30th Judicial Circuit. Having two county seats is a unique arrangement in Alabama, dating back to the county's early history.

Additional Resources

District Attorney's Office

The 30th Circuit DA handles traffic cases here. Got questions about a pending case? 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 this office before your court date to see if you can work out a deal on minor stuff.

Legal Aid

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help if you qualify. They base it on income. Call 1-866-456-4995 to check. Not everyone qualifies but it is worth asking if you cannot afford a lawyer and have a serious traffic case that could affect your license or job.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

For driver's license questions, driving records, or point inquiries, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

Cities in St. Clair County

St. Clair County has several municipalities scattered between its two county seats. Traffic citations from city police go to that city's municipal court, while sheriff and state trooper tickets go to district court.

Cities and towns in St. Clair County include Pell City, Ashville, Moody, Springville, Ragland, and Leeds (shared with Jefferson County). Each may have its own municipal court for local traffic violations.

Nearby Counties