Russell County Traffic Ticket Records Search

Traffic ticket records for Russell County are stored and managed at the Circuit Clerk's office in Phenix City, which serves as the county seat. Russell County sits along the Chattahoochee River on the Georgia border, directly across from Columbus, Georgia. The 26th Judicial Circuit handles all court matters for the county. With Interstate 85 passing through the northern portion of the county and Highway 280 crossing through its center, traffic enforcement is active. State troopers, county deputies, and local police all write citations that end up in the county court system. The Circuit Clerk maintains these records and can assist with case lookups, fine payments, and document requests.

Russell County Circuit Clerk

The Russell County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records. Traffic cases go through district court and end up here. The office files cases, takes payments, gives out certified copies, and answers record requests. Staff can look up your case, tell you what you owe, and explain how to fix your ticket.

Searching Traffic Records

Russell County traffic records can be searched through multiple channels. Alabama's court system provides Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com for online case searches. This database covers district court traffic cases statewide including those from Russell County. You can search by name or case number to find basic case information at no charge.

Want to search in person? Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Phenix City courthouse. Bring a name, birth date, and rough date of the ticket. Staff search while you wait. Copies cost a fee.

Mail requests should be addressed to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and any other identifying information such as a citation number. Include payment for search fees and indicate whether you need certified or regular copies. Allow one to two weeks for processing and mailing.

Handling a Traffic Ticket

When you get a traffic ticket in Russell County, the citation will tell you how to respond. Many minor offenses allow you to pay the fine without going to court. Look at your ticket for specific instructions and deadlines. The date on the ticket is important because failing to respond by that date can result in additional penalties.

Online payment through AlaPay at alapay.com is available for many traffic violations. You will need your citation number to use the system. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a processing fee. This is often the quickest way to resolve a payable offense.

In-person payments can be made at the Circuit Clerk's office. Cash, money orders, and cashier's checks are typically accepted. Some offices accept personal checks but policies vary, so call ahead to confirm. You can also mail your payment with the ticket stub to the address on the citation.

Some tickets mean you must show up. DUI. Suspended license. Reckless driving. Going way too fast. You have to see a judge. Miss court? Expect a warrant. Expect more charges too.

Record Request Fees

Russell County charges the standard Alabama court fees for record searches and copies. These fees must be paid when you request records, whether in person, by mail, or over the phone.

If you need records for official purposes like insurance claims or license reinstatement, request certified copies. The certification fee applies per document. Regular copies work fine for personal reference.

Relevant Alabama Statutes

Traffic tickets in Alabama follow state laws that apply uniformly across all 67 counties. Several statutes are particularly relevant for understanding traffic ticket records and procedures in Russell County.

Alabama Code Section 12-12-53 mandates the use of the Uniform Traffic Ticket and Complaint form. Every law enforcement officer in Alabama uses this same form when issuing a traffic citation. The form contains standardized fields for the violation, officer information, and defendant instructions, ensuring consistency statewide.

Traffic offense penalties are governed by Alabama Code Section 32-5A-8 and other provisions in Title 32 of the Alabama Code. These statutes establish fine ranges, point assessments, and other potential penalties for various traffic violations. Courts have discretion to impose penalties within the statutory limits.

Access to public records including traffic court files is protected by Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This Open Records statute gives citizens the right to inspect and copy government records. Traffic case information is generally public, though some personal details may be redacted for privacy.

Russell County Courthouse on 14th Street in Phenix City, home to the Circuit Clerk's office where traffic records are maintained.

Cities and Towns in Russell County

Russell County's largest city is Phenix City, which also serves as the county seat. Other communities include Fort Mitchell, Hurtsboro, and Seale. Phenix City operates a municipal court that handles city traffic citations and ordinance violations. County and state highway violations are processed through the Russell County Circuit Clerk.

While Phenix City has a population of about 38,000, it does not meet the threshold for a dedicated page on this site. For traffic matters in Phenix City, you may need to contact either the municipal court for city violations or the county Circuit Clerk for state and county violations.

Nearby Counties

Traffic records for neighboring Alabama counties can be obtained through their respective Circuit Clerk offices.