Most crash cases settle without anyone setting foot in a courtroom. When one doesn’t, or when you need to file paperwork, ask for a case file or show up for jury duty, these are the offices around Birmingham you’re most likely to deal with. Clerks can explain procedures and fees, but by law they can’t give legal advice.
Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham Division
Jefferson County Courthouse
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Circuit clerk (205) 325-5355
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is the main courthouse for civil injury cases arising in most of Jefferson County, including Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills and Trussville. The clerk’s office handles circuit civil filings in Room 400. See the Birmingham Division website for judges, court calendars and the circuit civil fee chart.
Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bessemer Division
Bessemer Judicial Building
1851 Second Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Circuit clerk (205) 497-8510
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Bessemer Division serves the western part of Jefferson County, often called the Bessemer Cutoff. Details are on the Bessemer Division clerk’s website.
Filing fees in Jefferson County circuit court
From the Birmingham Division clerk’s posted chart for a new civil case with one plaintiff and one defendant.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Claim up to $50,000 | $251 |
| Claim over $50,000 or amount not stated | $351 |
| Each additional plaintiff (up to $1,000) | $100 |
| Each additional defendant | $10 |
| Service by Jefferson County sheriff | $10 |
| Jury demand | $100 |
Smaller claims go to district court. The clerk’s district civil fee chart covers small claims up to $6,000 and district civil cases up to $20,000. Fees can change, so confirm with the clerk before filing. A judge can approve filing without prepaying costs if you can’t afford them.
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Circuit clerk (205) 464-8260
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For crashes in Tuscaloosa, Northport and the rest of Tuscaloosa County. See the Tuscaloosa County clerk’s website.
Walker County Circuit Court
Walker County Courthouse
1803 3rd Avenue, Suite 205
Jasper, AL 35501
Circuit clerk (205) 384-7268
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.
For crashes in and around Jasper. See the Walker County clerk’s website.
Shelby County Circuit Court
Shelby County’s circuit court sits in Columbiana, the county seat, and handles cases from the Shelby County side of Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster, Chelsea and the US-280 corridor. Fees, forms and contact details are on the Shelby County clerk’s website.
Federal court in Birmingham
Hugo L. Black United States Courthouse
1729 5th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Main line (205) 278-1700
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama hears some crash cases, usually ones between parties from different states with more than $75,000 at stake, such as many trucking cases.
Other counties
Every Alabama county has a circuit clerk with a website at a county.alacourt.gov address. For anywhere else in the state, start at alacourt.gov, the Alabama Unified Judicial System’s site.
E-filing and self-help
Alabama courts use AlaFile for electronic filing, and people representing themselves can register too. Fillable court forms are on the Alabama e-forms site, and the Alabama Supreme Court and State Law Library offers a self-representation guide. For a walk through what happens after a case is filed, see our guide to filing an injury lawsuit in Jefferson County.