About Municipal Court

Overview

The Gulf Shores Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, and violations of municipal ordinances that occur in the city limits or the Police jurisdiction of the City of Gulf Shores.

The Legal Authority used to bring cases in the Gulf Shores Municipal Court is the Code of Alabama, mainly Title 32 (traffic) and Title 13A (criminal), as adopted by city ordinance. The adopting ordinances and code sections, as well as other ordinances and code sections, enforced in the Municipal Court can be found in the Gulf Shores Municipal Code Book.

If you have a case that can be paid without appearing in court you can go online to  www.gulfshorespay.com, or call 251-237-8711 and use a credit or debit card (3.5% processing fee applies).

If you have a payment order and are making regular payments you can go online or to the number above and make your required monthly payment.

Your case will be continued to the next court date applicable.  It will either be by the first or third Thursday of the month as noted on your order.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WISH TO SPEAK TO COURT PERSONNEL PLEASE CALL 251.968.6780. 

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOUR CASE IS HANDLED OR WARRANT(S) COULD BE ISSUED.

Roles & Responsibilities

Municipal Court Judge

Honorable Frank Hollon

The municipal court judge resides over the municipal court clerk and magistrate(s), and hears any cases brought before the Gulf Shores Municipal Court. Appointed and approved by the mayor and City Council. The position of municipal court judge is created by the Code of Alabama and directed by the Supreme Court and the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.

A municipal judge must be an attorney.

Municipal Court Prosecutor

Kenneth R. Raines

The Municipal Court Prosecutor is a private Attorney appointed by the Mayor to prosecute cases brought before the Municipal Court. The Municipal Court Prosecutor will handle all prosecution of cases through the Municipal Court and upon any appeal to the Circuit Court.

Municipal Court Clerk

Kenneth McKenzie

The municipal court clerk is responsible for the administration of the Municipal Court and its records, finances, and employees. Also, as magistrate, accepts fine payments, holds probable cause hearings, and issues warrants. Additionally the municipal court clerk holds initial appearance / bond hearings with incarcerated defendants. As administrative law judge, he / she will also conduct hearings of appeals from the final decisions of the City of Gulf Shores’ chief revenue officer relating to business licenses and taxation.

Municipal Court Magistrate

Natasha Touchstone, Carmen Matthews, and Lesa Brannen

The municipal court magistrate accepts fine payments; hold probable cause hearings, and issues warrants. Additionally, the municipal court magistrate holds initial appearance / bond hearings with incarcerated defendants, as well as manages the clerical duties of the case files in the court.