Stop and Go

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Stop and Go initiative?

  • Effective March 22, 2022, Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has pardoned the outstanding traffic fines and parking violations (excluding misdemeanors, felonies, and serious driving offenses such as DUIs) in Birmingham Municipal Court prior to January 1, 2011. The goal of this initiative is to give individuals economic relief and remove this as a roadblock for moving forward. It is an acronym for Suspend Traffic Obligations Permanently & Grant Opportunities.

How can Mayor Woodfin do this?

  • Under Section 12-14-15 of the Code of Alabama, the mayor may remit fines and such costs as are payable to the municipality and commute sentences imposed by a municipal court or the court to which an appeal was taken for violations of municipal ordinances and may grant pardons, after conviction, for violation of such ordinances, and he shall report his action to the council or other governing body at the first regular meeting thereof in the succeeding month with his reasons therefor in writing.

What do I need to do?

  • If you have unpaid traffic fees and parking fines prior to January 1, 2011, you are pardoned. Nothing else is needed.

How can I get physical proof for my records?

  • The mayor’s executive order is in effect as of March 22, 2022. However, if you desire verification of this in written form, please allow time for all records to be updated. The following schedule is based on last names:
    • Last names: A-D (April 22-May 22)
    • Last names: E-H (May 23-June 22)
    • Last names: I-L (June 23-July 22)
    • Last names: M-P (July 23-August 22)
    • Last names: Q-T (August 23-September 22)
    • Last names: U-Z (September 23-October 22)

What if I am pulled over by the Birmingham Police Department?

  • The Birmingham Municipal Court and Birmingham Police Department are aware of the mayor’s executive order and will not issue punitive action based on tickets and fines that fall within those dates.

What if I have already paid?

  • We appreciate you having taken care of this matter. The Stop and Go Initiative is strictly for outstanding fees and fines. This mostly benefits those who were unable to pay at all due to variety of hardships. No refunds will be issued.

How many people will be pardoned?

  • According to our records, the mayor’s pardon will forgive 756,531 outstanding traffic violations and parking fines in the Birmingham Municipal Court.

How much in fines and fees are being forgiven?

  • The outstanding traffic fines and parking fees total around $35 million. The Birmingham Municipal Court has records of traffic and parking fees and fines as far back as 1958. Earnest efforts have been made to collect these monies. The city, however, does not recognize revenue until it is collected so there is no debt associated with this within the city’s budget.

What is being done to make sure there are no decades-long outstanding fines and fees?

  • Over the last ten years, we have created and implemented a number efficiencies and supportive measures to make sure backlogs and extended periods of collections do not continue. A few of these include:
    • the creation of Life University, a comprehensive life skills support program;
    • the authorization of community service as a financial support and as a life skills tool;
    • employment liaison support for unemployed and underemployed individuals as well as job placement;
    • re-entry/assimilation support for previously convicted individuals;
    • financial counseling for current balances;
    • educational and literacy support;
    • public school drop-out recovery and many others.

Have any other cities done this?

  • New Orleans, LA.; Cumberland County, NC; Durham, NC; and Los Angeles, CA. have launched similar initiatives.

How can I get more information?

  • For more information about the Stop and Go initiative, go to birminghamal.gov/stopandgo. If you have questions, email them to BMCCustomerService@birminghamal.gov or call 205-254-2161 during the hours of 7:30 am-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.