Search Tuscaloosa County Traffic Court Records

Traffic court records in Tuscaloosa County are kept by the Circuit Clerk. They go through district court in the 6th Judicial Circuit. The University of Alabama is here. That means heavy traffic, especially on game days. I-20/59 runs through and troopers write lots of tickets along that stretch. District court handles violations from deputies, troopers, and small town cops. The city of Tuscaloosa has its own municipal court for city tickets. Search records through Alacourt online or visit the courthouse on Greensboro Avenue.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all court files for Tuscaloosa County including traffic cases. The courthouse on Greensboro Avenue has both courts. Circuit Court is on the 2nd floor. District Court is on the 6th floor. For most traffic stuff, you deal with District Court. Only felonies and appeals go to Circuit Court. Make sure you head to the right floor when you visit so you do not waste time going to the wrong office first.

How to Search Traffic Records in Tuscaloosa County

Online Search

Tuscaloosa County traffic records can be searched through the statewide Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com. You need the defendant name or case number to search. Access fees apply for using the online system. The Online Traffic Resolution system lets you look up tickets by citation number and pay fines directly.

In-Person Requests

Visit the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse on Greensboro Avenue during business hours. For most traffic cases, head to the 6th floor District Court Clerk's office. Bring any information you have about the case. Staff can look up case status, show amounts owed, and make copies of documents. Public access computers are available for searching records.

Mail Requests

Written requests for traffic records can be mailed to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, case number if available, and what documents you need. Send payment for copy fees to:

District Court Clerk
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Phone Inquiries

Call (205) 349-3870 and ask for extension 355 for traffic case info. That gets you the District Court Clerk. Staff can check if a case exists. They tell you the status and balance owed. Need copies? Come in person or mail a request. Phone calls work best when you just need quick answers about whether you have an open case or how much to pay.

Fees and Costs

Traffic Court Fines

Fines in Tuscaloosa County vary by what you did. Basic speeding runs $150 to $300 with court costs. More serious stuff costs more. First DUI hits $600 to $2,100 plus extra fees. This county sees a lot of traffic tickets given the I-20/59 corridor and all the game day traffic. The total climbs fast once they add in state surcharges and court costs on top of the base fine.

Record Copy Fees

Payment Options

Pay traffic fines online through ALAPay.com or by phone at 1-877-252-7294. At the courthouse, payments are accepted by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are typically not accepted. Credit and debit cards work for online and phone payments with a convenience fee added.

Legal Framework

Traffic cases in Tuscaloosa County are governed by Alabama state law. Under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51, the district court has exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic prosecutions. Municipal courts handle traffic offenses prosecuted under city ordinances as outlined in 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 in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. Reckless driving is defined in Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191 and can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on prior convictions.

Traffic court records are public records under Section 36-12-40, which gives Alabama citizens the right to inspect and copy public records held by the courts.

Tuscaloosa County is the sole county in the 6th Judicial Circuit. This means the county has its own dedicated judges rather than sharing with other counties.

Additional Resources

District Attorney's Office

The 6th Circuit DA handles traffic cases here. Got questions about a pending case? Want to talk about options? 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 talk with this office before court to see if you can work out a deal.

Tuscaloosa Municipal Court

Tickets from Tuscaloosa Police go to Tuscaloosa Municipal Court. This is not the same as district court. If a city cop gave you a ticket, call the municipal court for info. They handle city violations while district court handles sheriff and trooper tickets. Make sure you know which court has your case before you try to pay or look up info online.

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 questions about driving records, license suspensions, or points on your license, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). They maintain driving records separate from court records.

Cities in Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County includes the city of Tuscaloosa and several smaller municipalities. Traffic citations from city police go to that city's municipal court, while sheriff and state trooper tickets go to district court.

Other cities in Tuscaloosa County include Northport, Brookwood, and Coker. The Tuscaloosa Municipal Court handles the bulk of city traffic citations given the city's size. Northport also has its own municipal court.

Nearby Counties