General Information

QUESTION:

HOW MUCH IS MY TICKET?

ANSWER:

Look up your charge in the Uniform Traffic Citation Fine Schedule and Parking Ticket

Offense Code list. See the Downloads page for other fine schedules, forms, and

brochures.

QUESTION:

WHAT TIME DO YOU OPEN AND CLOSE?

ANSWER:

The collections window is open, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m

and Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All other divisions are open, Monday through

Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

QUESTION:

WHERE IS THE MUNICIPAL COURT LOCATED?

ANSWER:

David J. Vann Municipal Justice Center

801 - 17th Street North

Birmingham, AL 35203

QUESTION:

WHAT DO I SEND TO PAY A TICKET?

ANSWER:

Send a check, cashier check or money order payable to the City of Birmingham. No

counter checks will be accepted. Enclose your ticket and/or notice with the payment. If

you want a receipt, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

QUESTION:

CAN I PAY ONLINE?

ANSWER:

Yes.

QUESTION:

WHAT IS THE MAILING ADDRESS FOR PAYMENTS?

ANSWER:

Parking tickets mail payment to:

Traffic Citation

Birmingham Municipal Court

P.O. Box 12905

Birmingham, AL 35202

Moving and Traffic Citations mail payments to:

Birmingham Municipal Court

David J. Vann Numicipal Justice Center

801 - 17th Street North

Birmingham, AL 35203

QUESTION:

WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT A TRAFFIC TICKET?

ANSWER:

Call the Customer Service Call Center at (205) 254-2161

QUESTION:

CAN SOMEONE ELSE COME AND PAY A TICKET FOR ME?

ANSWER:

No, the clerk must witness your signature on the Waiver of Rights on the back of the

ticket.

QUESTION:

WHAT CAN I DO IF I NEED MORE TIME TO PAY MY FINE?

ANSWER:

If you need more time to pay your fine, you must appear in court on your scheduled

court date and time and the judge will determine whether an extension will be granted.

QUESTION:

HOW CAN I PROTEST MY TRAFFIC TICKET?

ANSWER:

You must appear in court on your scheduled court date and time.

QUESTION:

HOW DO I GO TO DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL (DDS)?

ANSWER:

First, you must appear in court on your court appearance date to request Defensive

Driving School. If your request is approved, you will be given complete information

about attending the class.

QUESTION:

HOW DO I PROTEST A PARKING TICKET?

ANSWER:

You must come to the Municipal Court Justice Center and sign a parking ticket protest

form. You will be given a hearing date. When you come in for your hearing be sure to

bring any documentation or witnesses you may have.

QUESTION:

I GOT A PARKING TICKET AT A DEFECTIVE METER. WILL YOU TAKE CARE OF

IT?

ANSWER:

Report meter problems to the Department of Transportation (205) 254-6372. If they find

it was broken, this office will void the ticket.

QUESTION:

I'M HANDICAPPED AND GOT A PARKING TICKET? WHAT DO I DO?

ANSWER:

All Handicap Parking Tickets require a mandatory appearance before a municipal judge.

Defendant must appear in court at said time and date that appears on the ticket.

QUESTION:

I DO NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE, CAN YOU REMOVE MY NAME FROM

THIS TICKET OR WARRANT FOR MY ARREST?

ANSWER:

Until the new owner transfers the title into his name, we cannot make a change in our

system. However, you can contact the Tag Registration Department at 325-5171, and

ask them to put a flag on that tag number so that it will not be renewed in your name. If

the vehicle or tag has been stolen, report it to the police and send us a photocopy of the

police report.

QUESTION:

I GOT A FIX-IT TICKET. WHAT DO I DO TO GET IT DISMISSED?

ANSWER:

State law allows tag, tail, brake and head light tickets to be dismissed if they are

repaired within three days and verified by a police officer. Equipment violations for

horns, broken windows, etc., and failure to turn on your lights in the rain are your

obligation to repair and are not dismissable. Tickets for expired tags or license not in

possession can be dismissed if you turn in the ticket plus a copy of your tag receipt and

license before your court date. Come to the Traffic Court window so it can be verified

which kind of ticket you have. You will be asked to sign a book, which is your proof of

turning it in. It will be dismissed.

QUESTION:

I HAVE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR NOT HAVING A PROPER TAG. THE OFFICER

TOLD ME IF I BUY MY TAG, BRING IT IN AND SHOW IT, I WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY

THE TICKET. IS THAT CORRECT?

ANSWER:

No. You are still liable for the ticket unless you have just purchased the vehicle, in which

case you are allowed 10 days to buy a tag and produce proof of purchase to us.

QUESTION:

WHY IS MY LICENSE SUSPENDED?

ANSWER:

If you did not pay your ticket on time, the Alabama Department of Public Safety was

notified and they suspended your license for non-payment. In order to have your license

reinstated, you must first pay the ticket to us and request a clearance letter. Then,

contact the Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4400 for more information

concerning the reinstatement fee which varies depending on the drivers' history.

QUESTION:

WHAT DO I DO IF I LIVE OUT OF TOWN?

ANSWER:

All out of town defendants must contact out Customer Services Department at (205)

254-2161.

QUESTION:

DO I HAVE TO COME TO COURT IN ALL CASES?

ANSWER:

Some tickets are court cases, some are payable and do not require a court appearance.

The payable ticket(s) must be paid 24 hours prior to the court appearance date. If you

are scheduled for court and unable to make it due to the following: (1) Illness or

hospitalization, (2) death in the immediate family, and (3) incarceration. You must

present documentation to the Records Division which will be made a part of your file

and reviewed by the judge to determine if you will receive a new court date .

QUESTION:

CAN I CHANGE MY COURT DATE?

ANSWER:

Court dates are changed only in extreme extenuating circumstances, i.e., a death in the

immediate family, incarceration, hospitalization or a doctor’s excuse. You must present

documentation to the Reords Division which will be made a part of your file and it will be

reviewed by a judge who will determine if a new court date is granted.

QUESTION:

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT SHOW UP FOR COURT?

ANSWER:

A writ will be issued for your arrest. In addition to which a charge of Failure to Appear in

Court could be placed against you. For the charge of Failure to Appear in Court you can

be fined up to $500.00 plus court costs and state fees and/or given up to 180 days in

jail.

QUESTION:

HOW DO I GET AN EXTENSION ON A COURT FINE?

ANSWER:

Appear in court on your scheduled court date and request more time from the Judge.

The Judge will either grant or deny your request.

QUESTION:

HAS A WARRANT BEEN ISSUED OUT ON ME?

ANSWER:

In order to find out if you have any warrants outstanding, you must come to Municipal

Court Records Division with proper identification.

QUESTION:

IF A WARRANT HAS BEEN ISSUED AGAINST A PERSON WILL THEY BE PUT IN

JAIL?

ANSWER:

Normally the person will be given an opportunity to make bond.

QUESTION:

CAN I WITHDRAW A WARRANT?

ANSWER:

Once a warrant has been signed and issued, it cannot be withdrawn. Both parties must

come to court.

QUESTION:

CAN I TALK TO THE JUDGE?

ANSWER:

The judge can only talk to you about a court matter in court.

QUESTION:

TO WHOM AND WHERE DO I SEND MY REINSTATEMENT FEE?

ANSWER:

Alabama Department of Public Safety

Driver License Division

Driver Improvement Unit

Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1471

Phone: 334-242-4400

QUESTION:

WHO DO I CALL TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY DRIVERS LICENSE OR TO RENEW MY

DRIVERS LICENSE?

ANSWER:

322-4691 or 325-5188

QUESTION:

WHAT IS THE MAGISTRATE'S NUMBER AND WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

ANSWER:

Phone: 254-6512 or 254-6515

Address: 808 18

Street North

Birmingham, Alabama 35203

QUESTION:

WHAT IS THE NUMBER FOR PAROLE AND PROBATION AND WHERE ARE THEY

LOCATED?

ANSWER:

Phone: 254-2161.

The Parole and Probation Office

808 18

Street North

Birmingham, Alabama 35203

QUESTION:

WHAT NUMBER DO I CALL ABOUT A TICKET ISSUED BY A STATE TROOPER OR

SHERIFF?

ANSWER:

325-5309

QUESTION:

WHERE DO I OBTAIN AN ACCIDENT REPORT?

ANSWER:

Police Department, Business Records: 254-6308

QUESTION:

WHO WOULD I REPORT A POLICE OFFICER TO?

ANSWER:

Police Department, Internal Affairs: 254-1742

QUESTION:

MAY I SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN THE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE?

ANSWER:

Yes, the Jefferson County, Birmingham Division, District Attorney’s Office Traffic Union

at (205) 325-5871.

QUESTION:

WHAT NUMBER DO I CALL ABOUT DISTRICT COURT CASES, CIVIL OR

CRIMINAL?

ANSWER:

Civil cases: (205) 325-5331

Criminal cases: (205) 325-5309

Circuit Clerk, Anne-Marie Adams: (205) 325-5355

QUESTION:

WHO DO I CALL ABOUT TAG TRANSFER OR RENEWAL?

ANSWER:

Jefferson County Department of Revenue: (205) 325-5171

QUESTION:

CAN YOU HELP ME WITH A MARRIAGE LICENSE?

ANSWER:

Call the Probate Court, Jefferson County: (205) 325-5420

QUESTION:

WHO DO YOU CALL ABOUT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT?

ANSWER:

(205) 254-2161

QUESTION:

WHAT IS THE NUMBER FOR FAMILY COURT?

ANSWER:

(205) 325-5491