More FAQs

How do I find an attorney to represent me?

The City of Tuscaloosa and the Office of the City Attorney are prohibited by law from representing you or your interests. We also cannot recommend attorneys to you. If you need an attorney you may find these resources useful:

Alabama State Bar Lawyers Referral Service. Call 800-392-5660 or visit alabar.org/for-the-public/need-legal-help/ and look for the Lawyers Referral Service link. This service by the state bar association will give you the name and contact information of attorneys in your area that handle the kind of legal problem you have.

Legal Services Alabama is a statewide nonprofit organization providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly Alabamians. Call 205-758-7503 or visit legalservicesalabama.org.

The University of Alabama School of Law Clinical Program has several specialized clinical programs that may or may not be able to assist you. Call 205-348-4960 if you think you might qualify.

Most attorneys advertise in the telephone book yellow pages. Look under “Attorneys.”

Where do I pay a traffic ticket?

Traffic tickets are paid at Municipal Court. Learn how to pay your traffic ticket at https://www.tuscaloosa.com/court/pay-citations-and-fines/traffic-citations-info.

Do I need an attorney to deal with the Office of the City Attorney?

Whether to employ an attorney is entirely up to you. The attorneys for the City of Tuscaloosa will gladly speak to citizens who are not represented by a lawyer. If you are represented by an attorney on the issue in question, the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Alabama State Bar generally require city attorneys to speak to only your lawyer about the matter unless your lawyer consents to your speaking directly with the City’s lawyer. Although City Attorneys always seek to treat everyone professionally and fairly, please keep in mind that they represent the legal interests of the City, not of individual citizens.

How do I get copies of public records?

Many City of Tuscaloosa records are available online. If the record you need is not available online or you simply can't find it, file a Public Records Request.

Why was my claim against the City of Tuscaloosa denied?

For an explanation of common reasons claims are denied and what some of your options are if that happens, view the Denial of Claims PDF.

How do I file a claim against the City of Tuscaloosa?

Complete the Claims Form on the Claims Form page.