Search Shelby County Traffic Ticket Records

Traffic ticket records for Shelby County are managed by the Circuit Clerk's office in Columbiana, the county seat. As one of the fastest-growing and most populous counties in Alabama, Shelby County sees significant traffic enforcement activity. The 18th Judicial Circuit serves the county exclusively. Interstate 65, Highway 280, and Highway 31 all pass through Shelby County, carrying heavy traffic volumes and regular state trooper patrols. The county also includes portions of the city of Hoover and the growing communities of Alabaster, Pelham, and Helena. Whether you received a ticket from a state trooper on the interstate or a local officer in one of the municipalities, traffic court records are filed through the county system.

Shelby County Circuit Clerk

The Shelby County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records for the county. This includes traffic cases from district court. The office takes case filings, payments, and records requests. Need help with a traffic case? The clerk can look up your info. They can take your fine payment too. Want a new court date? Ask them. Need a certified copy? They do that too. The DA's office has a traffic unit that deals with some cases as well.

Searching for Traffic Records

Shelby County traffic records are searchable through multiple methods. The statewide Alacourt Access system at pa.alacourt.com provides online case lookups by name or case number. This free service shows basic case information including charges, court dates, and dispositions for district court traffic cases.

For in-person record searches, visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Shelby County Courthouse in Columbiana. Staff can search by name, date of birth, or citation number while you wait. You can request copies of court documents and have them certified if needed for official purposes.

Mail requests should be sent to the Circuit Clerk at 112 Main Street, Columbiana, AL 35051. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and any case numbers or citation numbers you have. Enclose payment for applicable fees and allow one to two weeks for processing.

Resolving a Traffic Ticket

Got a traffic ticket in Shelby County? You have options. Look at your ticket first. It has instructions and deadlines. Many small violations let you pay by mail. No court needed. Just plead guilty and send the fine. Check the ticket to see if this works for your case.

To plead guilty by mail, sign the back of your ticket, enclose payment by cashier's check or money order, and mail it to the District Clerk at P.O. Box 1810, Columbiana, AL 35051. Personal checks are not accepted for fine payments. Be sure to mail your payment before your court date to avoid additional penalties.

For faster service on traffic matters, you can email your UTC number, date of birth, and contact information to the District Attorney's traffic unit at Shelbycountytraffic@alabamada.gov. Online payment through AlaPay at alapay.com is also available for many violations.

Some tickets mean you must go to court. DUI is one. So is reckless driving. Got caught on a suspended license? You have to show up. Same with wrecks where someone got hurt. Check your ticket. If it says you must appear, then go. Miss that date and you face more charges and more fines.

Record Search and Copy Fees

Shelby County uses the standard Alabama fee schedule for court record services. These fees apply to all record requests whether made in person, by mail, or by other means.

Certified copies are required for many official purposes including license reinstatement and insurance documentation. The certification fee is charged per document. Make checks payable to the Shelby County Circuit Clerk.

Alabama Traffic Law Framework

Traffic violations in Shelby County are governed by Alabama state statutes that apply uniformly across all counties. Understanding these laws can help you navigate the traffic court system more effectively.

Alabama Code Section 12-12-53 establishes the Uniform Traffic Ticket and Complaint as the standard citation form used by all law enforcement agencies in the state. This statute ensures consistency in how traffic violations are documented and processed. The form includes the alleged offense, court date, and options for responding.

Penalties for traffic violations are established by Alabama Code Section 32-5A-8 and related provisions in Title 32 of the Alabama Code. Fines, points, and other penalties vary by offense type. Judges have discretion within statutory ranges to impose appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances.

Public access to court records is protected by Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, the Open Records law. Traffic court records, including case outcomes and payment information, are generally available for public inspection. Certain personal information may be redacted for privacy protection.

Shelby County Courthouse on Main Street in Columbiana, where the Circuit Clerk's office processes traffic court matters.

Cities and Towns in Shelby County

Shelby County contains numerous municipalities, many of which have grown rapidly in recent decades. Each city may operate its own municipal court for city ordinance violations, but traffic offenses on state highways and county roads go through the county court system.

Hoover is the only city in Shelby County that meets the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Note that Hoover spans both Shelby County and Jefferson County, so traffic violations may be processed in either county depending on where the offense occurred. Other significant Shelby County cities include Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Chelsea, and Montevallo. Contact their respective municipal courts for city ordinance matters or the Shelby County Circuit Clerk for state and county violations.

Nearby Counties

For traffic records from adjacent counties, contact the respective Circuit Clerk offices or use the links below.