Find Traffic Ticket Records in Sumter County
Traffic ticket records for Sumter County are filed with the Circuit Clerk's office at the Sumter County Courthouse in Livingston. This rural county in western Alabama borders Mississippi and is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit along with Greene, Marengo, and Perry counties. Highway 11, Highway 17, and other state routes pass through the county with regular enforcement by state troopers and county deputies. Livingston is home to the University of West Alabama, which brings additional traffic to the area during the academic year. All traffic citations written within county jurisdiction are processed through the district court division managed by the Circuit Clerk.
Sumter County Quick Facts
Sumter County Circuit Clerk
The Sumter County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records. That includes traffic cases. The clerk has citation records, court dates, payment history, and case outcomes. Need to look something up? They can help. Want to pay a fine? Go there. Need copies of court papers? Ask the staff. They work regular hours Monday through Friday.
| Address | 115 Washington Street Livingston, AL 35470 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 652-7281 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Searching for Traffic Records
Sumter County traffic records can be searched through several methods. The Alabama court system provides Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com for online case lookups. This free database allows searches by name or case number and shows basic case information for district court traffic cases.
In-person searches can be conducted at the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse. Provide the name of the person whose records you need along with any identifying information such as date of birth or citation number. The clerk can search the database while you wait and provide copies of available documents.
For mail requests, send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at 115 Washington Street, Livingston, AL 35470. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of the citation if known. Enclose payment for search and copy fees. Allow one to two weeks for processing and return mail.
How to Handle a Traffic Ticket
Got a ticket in Sumter County? Look at it closely. It shows your court date. It also tells you what to do next. Many small traffic tickets let you just pay the fine. No court trip needed. Check your ticket to see if you have that option.
Online payment is available through the AlaPay system at alapay.com for many traffic violations. You will need your citation number to use the service. Credit and debit cards are accepted, though a convenience fee applies to electronic payments.
You can also pay by mail by sending a check or money order to the Circuit Clerk's office. Make payment payable to the Sumter County Circuit Clerk and include your citation number. Mail payments should arrive before your court date to avoid additional penalties.
Some tickets mean court is a must. DUI is one. Driving on a suspended license too. Reckless driving and bad speeding counts as well. You have to face a judge. Check your ticket. Does it say you must appear? Then go on that date. Or call ahead to ask for more time.
Record Fees
Sumter County uses the standard Alabama fee schedule for court record searches and document copies. These fees apply to all requests made in person, by mail, or through other channels.
| 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 |
Certified copies may be required for insurance claims, license reinstatement applications, or legal proceedings. The certification fee is charged for each document certified. Regular copies are suitable for personal records and reference.
Applicable Alabama Laws
Traffic citations and court procedures in Sumter County are governed by Alabama state laws. Several statutes are particularly relevant for understanding traffic ticket records and court processes.
Alabama Code Section 12-12-53 establishes the Uniform Traffic Ticket and Complaint form used throughout Alabama. All law enforcement agencies in the state use this standardized form when issuing traffic citations. The form ensures consistent documentation of violations and clear instructions for defendants.
Penalties for traffic offenses are set forth in Alabama Code Section 32-5A-8 and related provisions in Title 32 of the Alabama Code. These statutes provide the legal framework for fines, points, and other consequences of traffic violations. Judges have discretion to impose penalties within statutory limits.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 protects public access to government records, including traffic court files. Under this Open Records provision, most traffic case information is available for public inspection. Case dispositions, payment records, and court orders are generally accessible.
Sumter County Courthouse on Washington Street in Livingston, home to the Circuit Clerk's office where traffic records are filed.
Cities and Towns in Sumter County
Sumter County contains several small communities. Livingston is the largest town and serves as the county seat. Other municipalities include York, Cuba, and Gainesville. Each town may handle minor municipal violations locally, but traffic offenses on state and county roads go through the county court system administered by the Circuit Clerk.
No cities in Sumter County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site. For all traffic court matters in Sumter County, contact the Circuit Clerk's office in Livingston.
Nearby Counties
For traffic ticket records from neighboring Alabama counties, contact the respective Circuit Clerk offices or use the links below.