Municipal courts exist in many cities and towns across the state of Alabama and in other states. The purpose of these courts is typically to deal with traffic citations and misdemeanor criminal offenses. These courts handle these minor cases to allow the District Courts and Circuit Courts to concentrate their efforts on more serious crimes, many of which are felony offenses.
As some offenses may be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies, you might need to pay close attention to the name and location of the court in which a judge has ordered you to appear. If you are not sure which court is hearing your case, you could contact the Brantley Municipal Court, which is located at 10 MLK Drive in Brantley. Reach the court by telephone at 334-527-8624. For more information about municipal courts, contact a dedicated attorney.
Types of Cases a Municipal Court May SeeTraffic tickets and city or town ordinance violations all fall under the jurisdiction of the municipal court in Brantley. Ordinance violations carry a maximum sentence of incarceration of 30 days. While the risk of incarceration from these violations might not be as high, there may be other severe consequences which may include suspension of licenses related to multiple traffic offenses and high fines.
While courts in Alabama may have jurisdiction over misdemeanor crimes, municipal courts may also choose to exercise jurisdiction over misdemeanors that occur with their town and city limits. Misdemeanor criminal offenses are less serious than felony criminal offenses, but convictions for misdemeanors could still create a criminal record and might result in jail time of up to one year.
Penalties for Misdemeanor CrimesThere are three types of misdemeanor offenses in the state of Alabama. Misdemeanors are classified as Class A, B, and C.
Class A MisdemeanorsClass A misdemeanors are the highest level of misdemeanor offenses. The next level of criminal offenses above a Class A misdemeanor is a felony offense. Individuals with a Class A misdemeanor conviction may face up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Class A misdemeanors charged in Brantley Municipal Court may include hindering prosecution in the second degree, theft of property worth less than $500, and a third DUI charge.
Class B MisdemeanorsA Class B misdemeanor is less serious than a Class A misdemeanor and more serious than a Class C misdemeanor. Individuals convicted of a Class B misdemeanor have the potential to serve up to six months in jail and to pay a fine of up to $3,000. A Class B misdemeanor may include unlawful assembly, driving while suspended, and first reckless driving offenses.
Class C MisdemeanorsWhile the least serious misdemeanor offenses are classified as Class C misdemeanors, a conviction might still result in a three-month jail sentence and a fine of $500, or no more than double the amount lost by the subject of the offense or gained by the defendant in committing the offense. Common Class C misdemeanors may include removing a shopping cart from store premises, failing to get a gun permit, and disorderly conduct.
Online Services OfferedIndividuals could pay traffic tickets that an officer issues at a traffic stop at Brantley Municipal Court, by sending a cashier check or money order to the municipal court in Brantley , PO Box 44, Brantley, AL 36009, or by calling 877-748-6252. For traffic camera tickets, individuals could pay online by visiting Phototix, by sending a cashier check or money order to Brantley Speed Safety Program, PO Box 76517, Cleveland, OH 44101-6500, or by calling 877-847-2338.
Talk to a Lawyer About Municipal Court Cases in BrantleyBrantley criminal defense lawyers regularly appear in Brantley Municipal Court and other municipal courts in the area. While ordinance violations and traffic tickets may seem minor in nature, they may accumulate quickly and cause repercussions that you may not expect. Misdemeanor charges may result in as much as one year in jail, in some cases.
A municipal court defense attorney may be able to help minimize the charges and potential penalties that you may be facing in Brantley Municipal Court. Before you plead guilty or agree to certain penalties, you may wish to consult a criminal defense attorney for advice.