Instructions For Paying Traffic Citations
Your ticket will have the date on which you will need to appear in court. All traffic tickets are scheduled for a specified day, time and place - Bay Minette, Fairhope or Foley.
You MUST either come to court on the date shown on your ticket or pay the ticket BEFORE your court date. The staff of the Clerk’s Office cannot grant continuances. You must submit any requests for continuance in writing to the judge, include case number on all correspondence. You may bring the request to any of the clerk's offices or mail to the address above.
If you fail to appear in court on the date shown or fail to pay the ticket before your court date, you will be subject to the following without prior notice to you:
- An alias warrant being issued for your arrest.
- Your driver’s license being suspended.
Below is a list of amounts that are assessed when a person has been issued a traffic citation in Baldwin County by State Troopers and county sheriff’s deputies whose cases are heard in District Court. Please be advised that there are certain charges and citations written (DUI, Driving with Suspended License, Reckless Driving, etc.) in which a person must appear in court and fines are not assessed until that appearance. This date will normally be listed on your ticket or you will be notified of this date when you make bond. Make sure the clerk's office has your current mailing address.
The charges listed below can usually be paid prior to a court appearance or paid on the date of court listed on your ticket. If you come to the office, we gladly accept cash, money orders and certified checks. Credit and Debit Cards can be accepted, but only through Alapay via the toll-free number or website. If paying by cash, please have correct change. IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS. Please have all money orders or certified checks made payable to Circuit Court Clerk and please list your name and ticket number (listed in the top right hand corner of your ticket) on it as well. You can also mail your certified check or money order along with a copy of your ticket to our office prior to court, but credit card payments cannot be accepted by mail.
Please remember that a person has the right to appear in court and request a trial. The cost of the ticket, however, may not be the same if your case heard in trial as opposed to paying the ticket prior to your court date. Please note that some traffic violations cannot be paid without a court appearance. A list of offenses that can be paid are listed below.
Tickets which may be paid without a court appearance.
| Driving on the wrong side of the road |
$240.00 |
| Failure to dim headlights |
$230.00 |
| Failure to stop at railroad crossing |
$220.00 |
| Failure to use child restraint |
$235.00 |
| Failure to wear safety belt |
$46.00** |
| Failure to yield right-of-way |
$230.00 |
| Following too closely |
$230.00 |
| Improper brakes/backing |
$230.00 |
| Improper lights |
$230.00 |
| Improper muffler |
$230.00 |
| Improper or no rearview mirror |
$230.00 |
| Improper parking |
$240.00 |
| Improper passing |
$230.00 |
| Improper signal |
$220.00 |
| Improper tag/No tag |
$235.00 |
| Improper tires |
$230.00 |
| Improper turn |
$230.00 |
| Improper window tinting |
$230.00 |
| No helmet (motorcycle) |
$220.00 |
| No insurance |
$260.00 |
| Operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license |
$285.00* |
| Running red light or Stop sign |
$230.00 |
| Speeding (less than 25 mph over limit) |
$230.00 |
| Speeding (25 mph or more over limit) |
$250.00 |
| Stopping/blocking the highway |
$240.00 |
| Violating driver's license restriction or endorsement |
$270.00* |
* Pursuant to Act 98-671, effective 5-6-98, an additional $50 (reflected in totals above) shall be collected for these.
** Pursuant to Act 99-397, effective 6-9-99, no court costs shall apply to this offense.
NOTE: FINE AND COURT COSTS MAY BE GREATER IF NOT PAID BEFORE THE COURT DATE.
Please note that traffic violations not listed in the chart above cannot be paid without court appearance.
Defensive Driving School Options
Driving school may be permitted at the judge's discretion. Defendant must appear in court on first appearance date to request driving school from the judge.