Ala. Code § 16-27A-11
Adoption by a board of the procedures under this chapter and the enforcement of this chapter by a governing body shall not affect current procedure and prosecutions commenced by issuance of a uniform traffic ticket and complaint by a law enforcement officer or otherwise. The issuance of a notice of violation as authorized by this chapter shall be subordinate to the issuance of a uniform traffic ticket and complaint for the same action if issued by a sworn law enforcement officer, and issuance of a uniform traffic ticket and complaint for a school bus violation shall preclude issuance of a notice of violation as authorized by this chapter. In the event both a uniform traffic ticket and complaint and a notice of violation as authorized by this chapter are issued for the same action, the one issued by a sworn law enforcement officer pursuant to Section 32-5A-154, shall control and shall constitute a defense to the other.
Ala. Code § 16-27A-11 (1975)