Birmingham residents with unpaid traffic tickets or certain minor court violations will soon have a chance to resolve their cases without fear of arrest.
Amnesty Program Begins in June
The Birmingham Municipal Court will hold an amnesty program from June 1 through June 30, 2026. The initiative gives eligible residents an opportunity to clear old court issues and some outstanding warrants. City leaders also hope the program will help reduce the court’s backlog of unresolved cases.
Presiding Judge LaResha Cade-Spearman said the effort aims to help people address outstanding legal matters and reconnect with the court system in a productive way. Court officials believe the program can improve accountability while helping residents move forward.
What Cases Qualify
The amnesty program covers certain failure-to-appear warrants tied to traffic citations and misdemeanor offenses. It also applies to people who did not complete court-ordered programs, probation requirements, payment plans, or sentencing agreements.
Individuals with unpaid fines, court costs, or restitution may also qualify.
Residents can visit Birmingham Municipal Court between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the month of June.
Participants must bring a valid photo ID. Court officials may recall eligible warrants if individuals pay fines and costs in full, restart payment plans, or resume probation and program requirements.
Parking tickets can also be resolved online through the city’s parking system or in person at municipal court.
Some Offenses Are Not Eligible
The city will not extend amnesty to people charged with or convicted of violent offenses. Cases involving domestic violence or driving under the influence do not qualify. Code enforcement and zoning violations are also excluded from the program.
Birmingham has used similar amnesty efforts in the past. The city launched a major program in 2008 under former Mayor Larry Langford. Large crowds visited municipal court to settle outstanding fines and warrants. Another successful effort followed in 2010, when the city collected more than $950,000 from resolved cases.
Residents who want more information about eligibility can contact Birmingham Municipal Court at (205) 254-2161.
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