Find Traffic Court Records in Washington County
Traffic court records in Washington County go through the district court. This is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Chatom keeps all court files. Washington County is rural and sits in southwest Alabama. Traffic mainly comes from US 43 and state routes. Get a ticket from a trooper or deputy? District court handles it. Look up records through Alacourt online or visit the courthouse in Chatom. Staff can help with lookups, payment info, and copies.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court files in Washington County. Staff can find traffic case info. They check what you owe and make copies. A public computer sits in the office so you can search records yourself if you want. The office in Chatom is the main spot for all court business. Staff there can usually answer questions pretty quick if you walk in or call during hours.
| Circuit Clerk | Valerie Knapp |
|---|---|
| Address | 45 Court Street Chatom, AL 36518 |
| Phone | (251) 847-2239 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | washington.alacourt.gov |
Note: Limited parking is available at the courthouse. Plan accordingly if visiting in person.
How to Search Traffic Records in Washington County
Online Search
Washington County traffic records can be searched through the Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com. Enter the defendant name or case number to find records. Access fees apply for using the online system. The Online Traffic Resolution system lets you look up tickets by citation number and pay fines.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Washington County Courthouse on Court Street in Chatom during business hours. Bring any information you have about the case. Staff can look up case status, show amounts owed, and make copies of documents. A public access computer is available for searching records yourself.
Mail Requests
Written requests for records 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 to:
Circuit Clerk, Washington County Courthouse
45 Court Street
Chatom, AL 36518
Phone Inquiries
Call (251) 847-2239 for basic case info. 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 want to know how much to pay off a ticket.
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Fines in Washington 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. The exact amount depends on how fast you were going and where. The total adds up fast when they pile on state surcharges and all the court costs on top of the base fine.
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. At the courthouse, 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 Washington 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 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 defined in Section 32-5A-190. DUI offenses fall under Section 32-5A-191.
Court records are public under Section 36-12-40, giving citizens the right to inspect and copy records held by the courts.
Washington County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit along with Choctaw and Clarke Counties. Judges rotate between the three counties in the circuit.
Additional Resources
District Attorney's Office
The 1st Circuit DA handles traffic cases here. Got questions about a pending case? Give them a call. The DA covers three counties in this circuit. If you plan to fight a charge, you may end up talking with this office before court to see if you can work something out 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 have a serious case and cannot afford a lawyer on your own.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
For driver's license questions, driving records, or point inquiries, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
Cities in Washington County
Washington County has a few small towns. Chatom is the county seat. Traffic citations from city police go to that city's municipal court, while sheriff and state trooper tickets go to district court.
Towns in Washington County include Chatom, Millry, and McIntosh. These smaller communities may have limited municipal court operations.