According to current Alabama law, persons can be cited for violating the roadside litter statute and fined $500 through the issuance of a ticket by a law enforcement officer.

Persons who discard their household waste illegally can be prosecuted under a separate criminal littering statute. And just a few years ago amendments were sponsored to that statute that allows for a case of criminal littering to proceed against a person, even if the law enforcement authorities do not witness the littering, simply based on the presence of paper that bears the person's name. In other words, Alabama law allows litter enforcement officers to prosecute those persons who discard their waste illegally by finding the person's name on papers included in the waste. The person has the opportunity to offer a defense, of course, but the presence of their name in the litter makes it easier to get a conviction.

Not only is litter against state law, but many cities include stringent anti-litter policies within their city ordinances. In many Alabama cities, something as seemingly insignificant as flicking a cigarette butt from your car window can cost you either time in court, or a hefty fine.