Search Jefferson County Traffic Ticket Records
Traffic ticket records in Jefferson County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham. As the most populous county in Alabama, Jefferson County operates within the 10th Judicial Circuit with two divisions: Birmingham and Bessemer. Jackie Anderson-Smith serves as the Circuit Clerk for the Birmingham Division. All traffic citations issued by Alabama State Troopers patrolling Interstate 20, Interstate 59, Interstate 65, and other major highways, Jefferson County Sheriff deputies, and municipal police officers within county boundaries are processed through the District Court. The county contains over 35 municipalities with their own police departments, making it essential to identify which court has jurisdiction over your specific citation.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Offices
Jefferson County operates two divisions of the 10th Judicial Circuit. The Birmingham Division handles the majority of cases from the eastern and central portions of the county, while the Bessemer Division serves the western area. Traffic cases are assigned based on where the citation was issued.
Birmingham Division
| Circuit Clerk | Jackie Anderson-Smith |
|---|---|
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420 Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 325-5300 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov |
Bessemer Division
| Address | 1801 3rd Avenue North Bessemer, AL 35020 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 481-4100 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Birmingham Municipal Court
Traffic citations issued by Birmingham city police within city limits are processed through the Birmingham Municipal Court. This is one of the busiest municipal courts in Alabama and handles thousands of traffic cases annually.
| Address | 801 17th Street North Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 254-2161 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Payments accepted until 4:30 PM |
| Online Payment | birminghamal.municipalonlinepayments.com |
How to Search Traffic Ticket Records
Jurisdiction Matters
First, figure out who wrote your ticket. Was it a state trooper? Sheriff? City cop? That tells you which court has your case. District Court covers state trooper and sheriff tickets. Municipal Court handles city police tickets. Look at the badge info on your citation. Call that court, not the other one. Wrong court means wasted time.
Online Search Options
Jefferson County traffic records are available through the Alabama Traffic Service Center at traffic.alacourt.gov. Enter your Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) number from the ticket along with your date of birth. For comprehensive searches, Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com provides name-based and case number searches. Free electronic notices are available through AlaFile registration at alafile.alacourt.gov.
In-Person Requests
Visit the appropriate Circuit Clerk office (Birmingham or Bessemer Division) during regular business hours. Bring valid photo identification and any case information you have. For Birmingham Municipal Court citations, visit the court at 801 17th Street North.
Payment Methods
Traffic fines can be paid online through AlaPay at alapay.com for state court cases. Birmingham Municipal Court has its own online payment system. In-person payments are accepted by cash, credit card, money order, certified check, or personal check at various locations depending on the court.
Record Request Fees
Jefferson County follows Alabama's standard fee schedule for court record services. These fees apply to record searches and document copies from the Circuit Clerk office.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Computerized record search | $10.00 |
| Paper record search | $20.00 |
| Copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Copies (21+ pages) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
Pay online and you'll see extra fees. Birmingham tacks on 2.5% plus a processing charge for card payments. Want to skip the fee? Pay cash in person. Or use a money order. Either way, keep your receipt.
Alabama Traffic Ticket Laws
Uniform Traffic Ticket Requirements
Alabama Code Section 12-12-53 requires all law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County to use the standardized Uniform Traffic Ticket and Complaint form. This applies to state troopers, sheriff deputies, and all municipal police officers across the county's 35+ municipalities. The UTC number on each ticket serves as the primary identifier for tracking cases.
Traffic Violation Penalties
Under Alabama Code Section 32-5A-8, most traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors. First-time convictions carry fines up to $100 or imprisonment up to 10 days. Repeat offenses result in higher penalties. Serious violations such as DUI, reckless driving, and hit-and-run have separate penalty provisions.
Public Records Access
Court records in Alabama are public records under Alabama Code Sections 36-12-40 through 36-12-46, the Open Records Act. Alabama residents may request copies of traffic court records for a fee. Juvenile records and cases sealed by court order are not available for public access.
Consequences of Non-Payment
Skip your court date or don't pay? Bad things happen fast. Your license gets suspended. A warrant goes out. You get a failure to appear charge on top of the original ticket. Fines go up. You can't fix your license until everything is cleared. Pay the original fine. Pay the new fees. Pay ALEA. Only then do you get your license back. It adds up quick.
Cities and Towns in Jefferson County
Jefferson County contains over 35 incorporated municipalities, many with their own police departments and municipal courts. Traffic citations from city police go through the respective municipal court, while state trooper and sheriff citations go through District Court.
Major cities in Jefferson County with dedicated pages on this site:
Other municipalities in Jefferson County include Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Trussville, Gardendale, Center Point, Hueytown, Irondale, Leeds, Fairfield, Fultondale, Pleasant Grove, Tarrant, Midfield, and many others. Contact the respective municipal court for city police citations.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County is located in north-central Alabama and borders several other counties. Verify which county has jurisdiction before contacting the court about your traffic citation.
Search Traffic Records Now
Use the search tool below to find traffic ticket records in Jefferson County. Enter a name or case number to begin your search.