A traffic citation has been issued for you to appear before the Madison County District Court. If you fail to pay or otherwise dispose of your case prior to the court date and fail to appear on your court date, a warrant may be issued for your arrest, your driver’s license may be suspended by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the fine may be increased, and any bond posted may be forfeited. The Court date on your copy of the ticket is NOT A TRIAL DATE; if you desire to plead NOT GUILTY and want a TRIAL, you must appear in court on your court date to request a TRIAL.
Tickets listed in the chart on the next page may be paid by entering a guilty plea without a required court appearance, provided you have not been convicted of two or more traffic offenses in the preceding 12 months. If you wish to avoid a court appearance and enter a plea of guilty, sign the Defendant’s plea of guilty on the back of your copy of the ticket and attach your money order or cashier’s check for the amount of fine and costs indicated and mail it to:
Madison County District Court - Traffic Division
100 North Side Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
You may also pay online at: Alapay.com
NO PERSONAL CHECKS. Personal checks will be returned causing a delay.
For questions or payment please contact the Alabama Traffic Service Center at traffic.alacourt.gov or by calling toll free (866) 954-9399. Cases may be paid on or before your court date with a credit or debit card by calling (877) 252-7294 or by accessing the following website: Alapay.com.
Processing of No-Insurance Tickets
THE DEFENDANT IS NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR IN COURT IF THE DEFENDANT HAS PROOF OF INSURANCE BY THE COURT DATE ON THE VEHICLE DRIVEN AT THE TIME OF THE TICKET. MONTH TO MONTH POLICIES ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
For an out-of court settlement, defendant may provide proof, in person or by mail, before the court date and the case will be dismissed. Proof provided 30 days after the court date will result in the ticket being dismissed upon payment of court cost. Proof cannot be provided after 6 months of the court date; the ticket must be paid in full.
The same processing of no insurance tickets applies to no driver's license, expired driver's license, driver's license not in possession, improper tint, expired tag, equipment repairs and no medical card.
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
To avoid further court appearances, Defendant should bring to court all relevant documents at the first court appearance. For example, if the Defendant did not have insurance at the time the ticket was written, but has obtained insurance, proof of the new insurance may result in a lower fine. Also, if the Defendant had insurance coverage on another vehicle and the vehicle driven at the time of citation was newly purchased, the Defendant may bring proof of insurance on the other vehicle, proof of purchase of the newly purchased vehicle described in the ticket and a statement from the insurance provider that the newly purchased vehicle was covered at the time of citation, although the Defendant had not received the insurance card.
Tickets which may be paid without a court appearance.
| Allowing minor to operate vehicle |
$221.00 |
| Driving on the wrong side of the road |
$201.00 |
| Failure to dim headlights |
$186.00 |
| Failure to stop at railroad crossing |
$186.00 |
| Failure to use child restraint |
$196.00 |
| Failure to wear safety belt |
$46.00 |
| Failure to yield to emergency vehicle |
$221.00 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way |
$191.00 |
| Following too closely |
$191.00 |
| Improper brakes/backing |
$191.00 |
| Improper log book |
$191.00 |
| Improper medical card |
$191.00 |
| Improper muffler |
$181.00 |
| Improper or no rearview mirror |
$191.00 |
| Improper passing |
$191.00 |
| Improper signal |
$181.00 |
| Improper tag/No tag |
$196.00 |
| Improper tires |
$191.00 |
| Improper turn |
$191.00 |
| Improper window tinting |
$191.00 |
| Insecure load |
$196.00 |
| Littering highway |
$271.00 |
| No annual inspection |
$181.00 |
| No commercial driver's license |
$271.00 |
| No current license stamp |
$196.00 |
| No fire extinguisher |
$221.00 |
| No helmet (motorcycle) |
$181.00 |
| No log book |
$221.00 |
| No red flag |
$191.00 |
| Operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license |
$246.00 |
| Oversized/Overweight vehicle |
$271.00 |
| Running red light or Stop sign |
$191.00 |
| Speeding (less than 25 mph over limit) |
$191.00 |
| Speeding (25 mph or more over limit) |
$211.00 |
| Stopping/blocking the highway |
$201.00 |
| Switched tag |
$271.00 |
| Violating driver's license restriction or endorsement |
$231.00 |
| Windshield obstruction |
$191.00 |
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 or write a letter to the judge prior to the court date. If you live out of state, you must provide a certified copy of your driver's record. To register for Driving School, you may contact the Driving School at (256)533-8940. You must contact them at least 5 working days prior to your court date.