reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-1 - Creation; Composition; Designation of Members.

Section 12-8-1
Creation; composition; designation of members.
A Judicial Conference for the State of Alabama is hereby created, which shall consist of: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama and two associate justices of such court, designated by the Chief Justice; a member of the Court of Criminal Appeals, designated by the presiding judge of that court; a member of the Court of Civil Appeals, designated by the presiding judge of that court; three circuit judges of the state, designated by the president of the association of circuit judges; three lawyers, who are members in good standing of the Alabama State Bar, designated by the president of the Alabama State Bar; one probate judge, designated by the president of the association of probate judges; and, subsequent to establishment of the district courts of Alabama, two district court judges, designated by the president of the association of district judges, and two municipal court judges, designated by the president of the association of municipal court judges.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §1; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343; Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §15-101.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-2 - Terms of Office of Members.

Section 12-8-2
Terms of office of members.
The Chief Justice and the associate justices of the Supreme Court and the judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Civil Appeals shall serve as members of such conference until their designations are changed. The first circuit judges and lawyers shall be appointed one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years and one for a term of three years. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years. The first district and municipal judges shall be appointed, one for a term of two years and one for a term of three years. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years. The probate judge shall be appointed for a term of three years, and his successors shall be appointed for three-year terms.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §2; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-3 - Vacancies.

Section 12-8-3
Vacancies.
Vacancies in the membership of the conference shall be filled for the remainder of any term in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §3; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-4 - Reimbursement of Expenses of Members; Payment of Printing, Postage, etc., of Conference.

Section 12-8-4
Reimbursement of expenses of members; payment of printing, postage, etc., of conference.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to reimbursement of traveling expenses of public officers and employees, the Chief Justice, justices, judges, lawyer members, officials and employees attending meetings or traveling on official business of the conference or of the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System, at the direction of the Chief Justice, within or outside of the state, may be reimbursed their actual and necessary expenses, including travel, lodging, food and other expenses, including registration fees and membership fees. Such expenses hereby authorized shall be paid, in full or in part, from any funds in the State Treasury appropriated to the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System, the Judicial Conference, the Supreme Court of Alabama, circuit judges' travel, supernumerary circuit judges' travel and/or to grant funds, as directed by the Chief Justice, upon claims therefor approved by the Chief Justice.
(b) Any other expenses of the conference, including printing, postage and mailing expenses, may be charged by the Chief Justice to the Supreme Court library fund, the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System, the Judicial Conference and grant funds, in accordance with the direction of the Chief Justice.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §7; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-5 - Chairman; Meetings; Officials and Employees.

Section 12-8-5
Chairman; meetings; officials and employees.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be the chairman of the conference. The conference shall meet at least annually but shall meet at such other times as, in the opinion of the Chief Justice, such meetings are needed, upon the call of the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice shall have the right, if he deems it advisable, to appoint and dismiss a secretary and other officials and employees, including consultants and consulting agencies, without regard to the provisions of the merit system, for the Judicial Conference, who shall perform such other duties as directed by the Chief Justice with the Supreme Court, the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System and the Department of Court Management and who shall be paid, in full or in part, such compensation or salaries as the chief justice may direct, from any funds appropriated to the Supreme Court, the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System, the Department of Court Management or any grant funds awarded or given to the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System, the Judicial Conference, the Department of Court Management and the Supreme Court in accordance with the direction of the Chief Justice.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §4; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-6 - Duties of Conference Generally.

Section 12-8-6
Duties of conference generally.
It shall be the duty of the Judicial Conference:
(1) To make a continuous study of the administration of justice in this state and of the organization, procedure, practice, rules and methods of administration and operation of each and all of the courts of the state;
(2) To receive and consider and in its discretion investigate criticisms and suggestions pertaining to the administration of justice in the state;
(3) To prepare for presentation to the Legislature at each regular session thereof a report of the proceedings of the conference and its recommendations relative to improving the administration of justice in Alabama and particularly of expediting the business of the courts and utilizing in the most appropriate manner the judges of the circuit courts and district courts of the state. The conference shall also recommend such changes or additions to the rules of practice of the trial and appellate courts of the state as in its judgment are needed to the Legislature and the Supreme Court; and
(4) To cooperate with and become a part of the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §5; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-7 - Chief Justice Authorized to Obtain Statistics, etc., From Court Officials; Forfeiture by Court Officials Failing to Furnish Information Requested; Preparation by Chief Justice of Forms to Be Filled Out and Submitted by Court Officials; Statistics, etc., Compiled by Chief Justice to Be Made Available to Conference.

Section 12-8-7
Chief Justice authorized to obtain statistics, etc., from court officials; forfeiture by court officials failing to furnish information requested; preparation by Chief Justice of forms to be filled out and submitted by court officials; statistics, etc., compiled by Chief Justice to be made available to conference.
(a) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is authorized and empowered to obtain from court officials, including clerks, registers, judges and court reporters, statistics, data and other factual information which he may deem advisable pertaining to the courts, the work of such court officials and any other phase of the work of such officials pertaining to the administration of justice or the operation of the courts or their offices, at such times as he may deem advisable.
(b) For the failure of any court official to furnish such information as may be requested from said court official by the Chief Justice, such court official shall forfeit $100.00 to the state to be recovered on complaint by the district attorney of any court of record of the county in which the court official resides, in the name of the state, such court official to have three days' notice of such complaint.
(c) The Chief Justice is further authorized and empowered to prepare forms for such court officials to fill out and submit to him in accordance with his direction.
(d) The statistics, data and other factual information submitted to and compiled by the Chief Justice shall be made available by the Chief Justice to all members of the conference for their use in carrying out the duties imposed upon them by this chapter.
(Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 74, p. 1949, §6; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 8 - Judicial Conference. › Section 12-8-8 - Chief Justice May Direct Use of Appropriated Funds by Conference, etc.; Application for Grants and Other Assistance for Conference.

Section 12-8-8
Chief Justice may direct use of appropriated funds by conference, etc.; application for grants and other assistance for conference.
(a) In connection with any of the duties and work of the Judicial Conference, including the study of the courts of the state, the Chief Justice is authorized and empowered to direct that any funds appropriated for consultant study or similar purposes to the Supreme Court and any funds appropriated for the Judicial Conference may be used in connection with studies and other work of the Permanent Study Commission on Alabama's Judicial System, the Judicial Conference and/or the Department of Court Management, in whole or in part.
(b) The Chief Justice is further authorized and empowered to apply for grants and other assistance to any public or any private entity and to take any and all necessary steps and actions pertaining to the same in connection with the duties and work of the Judicial Conference.
(Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 118, p. 4343.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-1 - Creation; Duties Generally.

Section 12-9-1
Creation; duties generally.
A permanent study commission on Alabama's judicial system is hereby created. This commission shall continuously study the judicial system of the state, the courts of the state, the administration of justice in Alabama, criminal rehabilitation, criminal punishment methods and procedures and all matters relating directly or indirectly to the administration of justice in Alabama and make recommendations pertaining thereto.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-2 - Composition; Appointment of Certain Members; Terms of Office of Members.

Section 12-9-2
Composition; appointment of certain members; terms of office of members.
(a) Such commission shall be composed of the following members:
(1) Six members of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be the chairman of the Judicial Committee and the other five of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House from the Judicial Committee of the House of Representatives;
(2) Six members of the state Senate, one of whom shall be the chairman of the Judicial Committee and the other five of whom shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of the state or, in the event there is no Lieutenant Governor, the presiding officer of the Senate, from the Judicial Committee of the Senate;
(3) The members of the Judicial Conference, the membership of which is set forth in Section 12-8-1; and
(4) The Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the legal advisor to the Governor of Alabama and a member of the staff of the Attorney General appointed by the Attorney General of Alabama.
(b) The Lieutenant Governor and the members from the Legislature shall serve during the term of office to which they were elected as members of the Legislature. The member of the Attorney General's staff shall serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General. The members of the Judicial Conference shall serve as long as they remain members of such Judicial Conference.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-3 - Reimbursement of Expenses of Members.

Section 12-9-3
Reimbursement of expenses of members.
The members of the study commission on Alabama's judicial system are entitled to reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses, including travel, lodging and meals, while on official business of said commission or attending its meetings, which said expenses may be paid as follows:
(1) The expenses of the Lieutenant Governor and the members who are legislators may be paid out of any funds appropriated to the Legislature or out of any funds appropriated for joint interim committees of the Legislature as the chairman of the commission may direct, but in the amounts as if they were performing legislative duties.
(2) The expenses of the members of the Judicial Conference while on official business of the commission may be paid out of any funds authorized for the Judicial Conference, as the chairman of the commission may direct.
(3) The expenses of the Governor's legal advisor, member of the Attorney General's staff and judges and justices may be paid out of funds available for travel in their respective departments or courts or circuit judges' travel allowance as the chairman of the commission may direct.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-4 - Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary; Executive Committee.

Section 12-9-4
Chairman, vice-chairman and secretary; executive committee.
The chairman of the commission shall be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama. The commission shall elect a vice-chairman and a secretary. The executive committee of such commission shall be composed of the chairman and four other members appointed by the chairman of the commission with the consent of the members of the commission.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-5 - Commission to Serve as Agency for Grants, etc., and Coordinate and Conduct Studies.

Section 12-9-5
Commission to serve as agency for grants, etc., and coordinate and conduct studies.
Such commission shall serve as an agency to apply for and receive any grants or other assistance and to coordinate and conduct studies in connection with any of its purposes and functions and may conduct such studies with or without the assistance of consultants or experts.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-6 - Chairman Authorized to Apply for Grants, Etc.

Section 12-9-6
Chairman authorized to apply for grants, etc.
The chairman of the commission is authorized to apply for grants and other assistance to any public or private entity and to take any and all necessary steps in connection therewith.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §7.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-7 - Assistance of Commission by Legislative Reference Service and by Law Institute; Appointment, etc., of Research Analyst and Other Employees; Employment and Compensation of Consultants and Experts.

Section 12-9-7
Assistance of commission by Legislative Reference Service and by law institute; appointment, etc., of research analyst and other employees; employment and compensation of consultants and experts.
(a) The Alabama Legislative Reference Service shall provide such assistance to the commission as the commission may request. The Alabama Law Institute is authorized and empowered, at its discretion, to assist the commission and to use any funds appropriated for its use to assist the commission in its functions and purposes.
(b) The Chief Justice may appoint and dismiss a research analyst for the commission who shall perform other duties as directed by the Chief Justice and who shall be subject to the merit system only as to pay plan and who may be paid from any funds appropriated to the Supreme Court or Judicial Conference or any other department or agency of the state which may be headed by the Chief Justice, as the Chief Justice may direct. The Chief Justice may also designate other employees for the commission in the same manner with like authority, discretion and direction.
(c) The executive committee of the commission shall have the right to employ and fix the compensation of consultants and experts to assist the commission in connection with its functions and purposes.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-8 - Reports and Recommendations.

Section 12-9-8
Reports and recommendations.
Said commission shall make reports and recommendations to the Governor, the Supreme Court of Alabama, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Civil Appeals, the Department of Court Management, the Legislature of Alabama and any other departments, commissions, boards, institutes or other entities of the state at such times as the commission deems appropriate.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §9.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9 - Judicial System Study Commission. › Section 12-9-9 - Use of Appropriated Funds or Grants.

Section 12-9-9
Use of appropriated funds or grants.
In the event funds are appropriated by the Legislature for this commission or any grants or other assistance are received by the commission, then the expenses of the members and all other expenses, including compensation of personnel, secretaries, experts and consultants may be paid out of such funds appropriated or from any grants or other assistance received as may be directed by the chairman of the commission.
(Acts 1971, No. 2337, p. 3768, §8.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9A - Judicial Resources Allocation Commission. › Section 12-9A-2 - Reallocation of Vacant Judgeship.

Section 12-9A-2
Reallocation of vacant judgeship.
(a) Only in the event of a vacancy due to death, retirement, resignation, or removal from office of a district or circuit judge, the Judicial Resources Allocation Commission shall have 30 days to determine whether to reallocate such judgeship to another district or circuit. The commission may also choose to reallocate a judgeship if the incumbent judge is not eligible to run for reelection as a result of the age limitation provided for in Section 155 of the Constitution of Alabama 1901, as amended, by notifying the Secretary of State no later than one year prior to the close of qualifying for candidates to run for such judgeship. All reallocation decisions require a two-thirds vote of the commission members. In determining whether to reallocate such judgeship, the commission shall consider the need based on the district and court rankings as determined pursuant to Section 12-9A-1. However, in no event shall the commission reallocate a judgeship to another district or circuit if doing so would cause the district or circuit from which the judgeship was being removed to move into the ten counties in most need of a district judge or the ten circuits, or divisions thereof, in most need of a circuit judge based on the rankings provided pursuant to Section 12-9A-1. Additionally, each county shall continue to have at least one district judge.
(b) In the event the commission chooses not to reallocate the vacant judgeship within the 30 days prescribed in subsection (a), the vacancy shall be filled according to law in the district or circuit in which the judgeship is located.
(c) In the event the commission chooses to reallocate the vacant judgeship within the 30 days prescribed in subsection (a), the vacancy shall be filled according to law for the district or circuit to which the judgeship is reallocated. The person appointed to fill the judgeship shall serve the required time period pursuant to law before running for election, at which time the reallocated judgeship shall be subject to election in the district or circuit to which the judgeship was reallocated.
(d) Upon the reallocation of the judgeship, all remaining judgeships in the district or circuit from which the judgeship was reallocated shall be renumbered appropriately. Additionally, the state resources allocated to fund the judgeship shall continue to fund the judgeship in the district or circuit to which it was reallocated.
(e) The chair of the commission shall keep a true record of all the proceedings of the meetings of the commission. At the call of any member, the vote on any pending question shall be taken by ayes and nays, and the same shall be entered in the record. The records of the proceedings of the commission shall be open to any member of the commission and to the public and a copy of the record, certified by the chair, shall be kept in the records of the commission maintained by the chair.
(Act 2017-42, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9A - Judicial Resources Allocation Commission. › Section 12-9A-3 - Jurisdiction, Power, Rights, etc., of Reallocated Judge.

Section 12-9A-3
Jurisdiction, power, rights, etc., of reallocated judge.
A district or circuit judge appointed to a reallocated judgeship pursuant to this chapter shall have and exercise all jurisdiction, power, rights, and authority and shall possess all of the qualifications, perform all of the duties, and shall be subject to all of the responsibilities and duties of the office to which other district or circuit judges are subject.
(Act 2017-42, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9A - Judicial Resources Allocation Commission. › Section 12-9A-5 - Judicial Weighted Caseload Study.

Section 12-9A-5
Judicial Weighted Caseload Study.
(a) No later than January 1, 2018, the Alabama Supreme Court shall revise the factors considered in the Judicial Weighted Caseload Study to uniformly, fairly, and accurately account for criminal cases by counts brought against a defendant.
(b) No judgeship shall be reallocated until three years of data is available after the revision of the factors considered in the Judicial Weighted Caseload Study as provided in this section.
(c) No judicial circuit shall lose more than one judgeship through allocation in a two year period.
(Act 2017-42, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9A - Judicial Resources Allocation Commission. › Section 12-9A-7 - Temporary Assignment of Circuit or District Judge to Another Circuit.

Section 12-9A-7
Temporary assignment of circuit or district judge to another circuit.
(a) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama, by order, shall assign a circuit or district judge from a judicial circuit to serve within another judicial circuit for a reasonable period of time to address court congestion, court delay, civil and criminal backlog of cases, or for any other reason necessary for the prompt and thorough administration of justice.
(b) When considering the amount of time a judge may be assigned from his or her home circuit to another circuit, the Chief Justice shall take into consideration all relevant circumstances regarding the judicial needs of the circuits involved.
(c) A judge assigned to serve another circuit under subsection (a) shall be reimbursed for any necessary and reasonable expenses of travel and the same maintenance expense allowances from the State Treasury that the judge would be entitled to receive when attending court or transacting other official business outside of the judge's home circuit.
(d) This section shall not apply in Jefferson County.
(Act 2018-567, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 9A - Judicial Resources Allocation Commission. › Section 12-9A-8 - Assignment of Circuit or District Judges by Presiding Circuit Judge.

Section 12-9A-8
Assignment of circuit or district judges by presiding circuit judge.
(a) A presiding circuit judge, by order, may assign a circuit or district court judge who is within the circuit to serve within the circuit or within the district courts of the circuit. Before assigning a judge, the presiding circuit judge shall evaluate the needs of the circuit, including the currency, congestion, and backlog of criminal and civil cases.
(b) Assignments of judges by the presiding circuit judge shall be in writing and shall be sent to the assigned judge as soon as practicable. The presiding judge or the judge's designee may notify the assigned judge orally of the assignment. An oral notification of an assignment is sufficient until a written notification can be prepared and delivered to the assigned judge. A copy of each written assignment shall be filed with the Administrative Director of Courts and in the office of the clerk or register of the court to which the assignment is made.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by law or rule, the presiding judge may assign judicial secretaries, bailiffs, and court reporters in the judicial system within the circuit to service in the circuit or district court as the service may be required.
(d) This section shall not apply in Jefferson County.
(e) It is the intent of the Legislature that pursuant to Amendment 328 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 150 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, the Supreme Court of Alabama shall amend Rule 13 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration to conform with the provisions of this section.
(Act 2018-567, §§1,2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10 - Judicial Compensation Commission. › Section 12-10-1 - Designation and Term of Office of Chairman.

Section 12-10-1
Designation and term of office of chairman.
The members of the Judicial Compensation Commission created by Constitutional Amendment No. 328 shall, by majority vote, designate a chairman from among their number who shall serve for one year from the date of election or until his successor is designated and assumes his responsibilities.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §12-103.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10 - Judicial Compensation Commission. › Section 12-10-2 - Powers of Members of Commission as to Witnesses, Etc.

Section 12-10-2
Powers of members of commission as to witnesses, etc.
Each member of the commission shall have the power to administer oaths, take testimony, subpoena and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of all books, papers, records or documents deemed by the commission to be material or pertinent to any subject within the scope of its studies and investigations.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §12-102.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10 - Judicial Compensation Commission. › Section 12-10-3 - Reimbursement of Expenses of Members of Commission.

Section 12-10-3
Reimbursement of expenses of members of commission.
Commission members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties on the commission; provided, that such expenses shall be approved by the chairman and shall be filed with the Comptroller of the State of Alabama.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §12-104.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10 - Judicial Compensation Commission. › Section 12-10-4 - Recommendation to Legislature by Commission of Salary and Expense Allowances to Be Paid Judges Generally.

Section 12-10-4
Recommendation to Legislature by commission of salary and expense allowances to be paid judges generally.
The Judicial Compensation Commission shall recommend to the Legislature the salary and expense allowances to be paid from the State Treasury for all judges of this state except for municipal and probate judges.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §12-101.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10 - Judicial Compensation Commission. › Section 12-10-5 - When Recommendations May Be Submitted to Legislature; Recommendations to Become Law Upon Adjournment of Legislative Session to Which Submitted Unless Rejected or Altered by Legislative Act; Recordation and Publication Thereof.

Section 12-10-5
When recommendations may be submitted to Legislature; recommendations to become law upon adjournment of legislative session to which submitted unless rejected or altered by legislative act; recordation and publication thereof.
(a) The commission may submit recommendations in the form of a report to the Legislature at any time within the first five calendar days of any session.
(b) Unless rejected by a joint resolution or altered by act of the Legislature at the session to which the report is submitted, the recommendations of the commission shall become law upon the adjournment of that session of the Legislature.
(c) Upon adjournment, the recommendations that have become law shall become effective immediately and shall be recorded and published as other laws.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §12-105.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10A - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan. › Section 12-10A-2 - Compensation of Judges - Phase-Out of Local Supplements and Expense Allowances.

Section 12-10A-2
Compensation of judges - Phase-out of local supplements and expense allowances.
The Legislature, recognizing the need to eliminate the disparities in compensation of circuit and district judges due to county supplements and expense allowances in varying amounts authorized by local acts, shall phase out all local supplements and expense allowances as follows:
(1) No Supreme Court Justice, appellate judge, circuit judge, or district judge shall receive a cost-of-living raise during fiscal year 2000-2001, 2001-2002, or 2002-2003, other than as provided in Section 12-10A-1 and Act 90-111, 1990 Regular Session (Acts 1990, p. 132).
(2) Any county supplement or expense allowance authorized to be paid to a circuit or district judge in office on any day on or after October 1, 2000, to October 1, 2001, inclusive, shall be diminished by the amount the judge receives from the state for his or her bench experience pursuant to subdivision (2) of Section 12-10A-1.
(3) No salary supplement or expense allowance may increase after June 10, 1999.
(4) No county supplement or expense allowance shall be provided to any circuit or district judge who is first elected or appointed to office after October 1, 2001.
(5) If the implementation of subdivision (2) results in a reduction in salary supplements for a circuit or district judge who receives a supplement from more than one county, such reduction shall be divided proportionally among the affected counties.
(Act 99-427, p. 759, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10A - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan. › Section 12-10A-3 - Applicability to Judicial Retirement Compensation.

Section 12-10A-3
Applicability to judicial retirement compensation.
(a) Passage of this chapter shall not repeal any law which, on June 10, 1999, provides for the retirement compensation payable from the treasury of any county to a circuit or district judge. Any contribution required by law to be made by a circuit or district judge to be entitled to retirement benefits shall continue at the dollar amount required to be contributed on June 10, 1999, and for any judge elected or appointed on or after June 10, 1999, any benefit paid from the treasury of any county to judges who in the future shall retire shall be fixed at the dollar amount required to be paid on June 10, 1999.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as reducing the benefits payable from the county treasury to judges who have retired or to judges who are in active service on June 10, 1999.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any circuit or district judge who is first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001, shall receive retirement benefits only from the Judicial Retirement Fund of Alabama, and shall not receive any retirement benefit from any county.
(c) No provision of this chapter shall reduce the amount of retirement benefits from the Judicial Retirement Fund currently authorized for retired justices and judges.
(Act 99-427, p. 759, §6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10A - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan. › Section 12-10A-4 - Funding.

Section 12-10A-4
Funding.
(a) To provide the employer's costs to implement the uniform pay plan adopted by this chapter, there is appropriated to the Unified Judicial System from the State General Fund the following amounts: For fiscal year 2000-2001, nine million five hundred thousand dollars ($9,500,000); for fiscal year 2001-2002, twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000); for fiscal year 2002-2003 and each subsequent fiscal year thereafter, fourteen million one hundred thousand dollars ($14,100,000).
(b) There is appropriated from the State Treasury to the Supreme Court of Alabama the amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and each fiscal year thereafter, to be used for the furtherance of attorney professionalism and the statewide coordination of pro bono services in civil cases.
(Act 99-427, p. 759, §7.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10A - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan. › Section 12-10A-5 - Increase in Fees.

Section 12-10A-5
Increase in fees.
The increase in fees authorized by this chapter shall not affect an increase in the fees authorized in Section 12-17-224, or any existing cost, fee, fine, or assessment except those specifically set out in this chapter.
(Act 99-427, p. 759, §8.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10A - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan. › Section 12-10A-6 - Applicability to Other Constitutional Officers.

Section 12-10A-6
Applicability to other constitutional officers.
(a) Any district attorney or constitutional officer other than a judge whose compensation is affected by this chapter who receives a local supplement shall have his or her supplement reduced by any increase in his or her state compensation until the supplement is eliminated. No officer appointed or elected after October 1, 2001, shall receive a county supplement or expense allowance in addition to his or her state salary and no salary supplement or expense allowance may increase after June 10, 1999.
(b) The phrase "circuit judges" as used in Section 12-17-182, shall refer to circuit judges who, due to bench experience, are receiving the maximum amount of state compensation.
(Act 99-427, p. 759, §§9, 10.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10B - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan of 2021 › Section 12-10B-2 - Qualifications of Circuit Judges, District Judges, Appellate Court Judges, and Supreme Court Justices.

Section 12-10B-2
Qualifications of circuit judges, district judges, appellate court judges, and supreme court justices.
(a) All supreme court justices, judges of the appellate courts, circuit court judges, and district court judges must be licensed attorneys.
(b)(1) All supreme court justices, judges of the appellate courts, circuit court judges, and district court judges must complete a minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing legal education annually, one hour of which must be on the subject of ethics.
(2) Any justice or judge who fails to complete the requirements of subdivision (1) shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Judicial Inquiry Commission.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that pursuant to Amendment 328 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 150 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, the Supreme Court of Alabama shall amend its rules to conform with this section.
(Act 2021-441, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10B - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan of 2021 › Section 12-10B-3 - Compensation, Salary Supplement, or Expense Allowance of Certain Elected Officials, State Officers, and State Employees.

Section 12-10B-3
Compensation, salary supplement, or expense allowance of certain elected officials, state officers, and state employees.
Beginning on October 1, 2021, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, any compensation, salary supplement, or expense allowance under existing law paid by the state, or any political subdivision of the state, to any elected official or state officer or employee, excluding circuit and district judges, district attorneys, and the Attorney General, that is based in whole or in part on the compensation, salary supplement, or expense allowance of another judge or justice shall be based on the salary, salary supplement, or expense allowance of the judge or justice on September 30, 2021.
(Act 2021-441, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 10B - Uniform Judicial Pay Plan of 2021 › Section 12-10B-4 - Prior Pay Scales Ratified.

Section 12-10B-4
Prior pay scales ratified.
Section 12-10B-1 ratifies any pay scales for judges or justices approved prior to October 1, 2021, by the current chief justice of the supreme court or any prior chief justice of the supreme court.
(Act 2021-441, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-1 - Circuit Court in Every County.

Section 12-11-1
Circuit court in every county.
(a) There is provided in every county in the state a circuit court with all the jurisdiction and powers that are conferred on the circuit court by the Constitution and laws of this state.
(b) Persons elected to or appointed to a circuit court judgeship must have been admitted to practice law in this state a combined total of seven years or more, or admitted to practice law by any other state for a combined total of seven years or more, prior to beginning a term of office or appointment to serve a vacant term of office. In addition, the person must not have received from any state or state bar association a suspension or disbarment within the 10 years preceding election or appointment.
(Acts 1915, No. 217, p. 279; Code 1923, §6677; Code 1940, T. 13, §127; Act 2009-562, p. 1632, §1; Act 2019-539, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-2 - State Divided Into Judicial Circuits; Enumeration of Circuits.

Section 12-11-2
State divided into judicial circuits; enumeration of circuits.
The State of Alabama is divided into judicial circuits for the circuit courts, numbered and composed of counties as follows:
(1) First circuit - Choctaw, Clarke and Washington.
(2) Second circuit - Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes.
(3) Third circuit - Barbour and Bullock.
(4) Fourth circuit - Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox.
(5) Fifth circuit - Chambers, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa.
(6) Sixth circuit - Tuscaloosa.
(7) Seventh circuit - Calhoun and Cleburne.
(8) Eighth circuit - Morgan.
(9) Ninth circuit - Cherokee and DeKalb.
(10) Tenth circuit - Jefferson.
(11) Eleventh circuit - Lauderdale.
(12) Twelfth circuit - Coffee and Pike.
(13) Thirteenth circuit - Mobile.
(14) Fourteenth circuit - Walker.
(15) Fifteenth circuit - Montgomery.
(16) Sixteenth circuit - Etowah.
(17) Seventeenth circuit - Marengo, Greene and Sumter.
(18) Eighteenth circuit - Shelby.
(19) Nineteenth circuit - Autauga, Chilton and Elmore.
(20) Twentieth circuit - Henry and Houston.
(21) Twenty-first circuit - Escambia.
(22) Twenty-second circuit - Covington.
(23) Twenty-third circuit - Madison.
(24) Twenty-fourth circuit - Fayette, Lamar and Pickens.
(25) Twenty-fifth circuit - Marion and Winston.
(26) Twenty-sixth circuit - Russell.
(27) Twenty-seventh circuit - Marshall.
(28) Twenty-eighth circuit - Baldwin.
(29) Twenty-ninth circuit - Talladega.
(30) Thirtieth circuit - St. Clair.
(31) Thirty-first circuit - Colbert.
(32) Thirty-second circuit - Cullman.
(33) Thirty-third circuit - Dale and Geneva.
(34) Thirty-fourth circuit - Franklin.
(35) Thirty-fifth circuit - Conecuh and Monroe.
(36) Thirty-sixth circuit - Lawrence.
(37) Thirty-seventh circuit - Lee.
(38) Thirty-eighth circuit - Jackson.
(39) Thirty-ninth circuit - Limestone.
(40) Fortieth circuit - Clay and Coosa.
(41) Forty-first circuit - Blount.
(Acts 1973, No. 1020, p. 1556, §1; Acts 1978, No. 377, p. 332; Acts 1989, No. 89-955, p. 1883, §1; Acts 1990, No. 90-294, p. 402, §1; Act 2000-765, p. 1752, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-3 - Circuit Court to Be Held in Each County at Courthouse, Etc.

Section 12-11-3
Circuit court to be held in each county at courthouse, etc.
Except when otherwise provided by law, the circuit courts of the several counties shall be held at the courthouses thereof.
(Acts 1947, No. 378, p. 270, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-4 - When Courts Open.

Section 12-11-4
When courts open.
The circuit courts of the several counties of the state shall be open for the transaction of any and all business or judicial proceedings of every kind at all times.
(Acts 1915, No. 641, p. 707; Code 1923, §6667; Acts 1936, Ex. Sess., No. 56, p. 32; Code 1940, T. 13, §114.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-5 - Provision for Regular or Special Sessions of Court.

Section 12-11-5
Provision for regular or special sessions of court.
The presiding circuit judge of each circuit court shall provide, by written direction to the circuit clerk, for the holding of regular or special sessions of the court; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the transaction of business by the court at times when the court is not in session.
(Code 1923, §8577; Code 1940, T. 13, §115; Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §2-101.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-6 - Notice of Special Sessions.

Section 12-11-6
Notice of special sessions.
When the court or judge has ordered or directed that a special session of the court be held, the clerk of the court shall, as soon as practicable, notify either the parties or one of their attorneys of record of the date of holding such special session, which notice may be given by personal service or by mailing a letter to each of the parties or to one of his attorneys of record, by the clerk of the court.
(Code 1923, §8578; Code 1940, T. 13, §116.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-7 - Witnesses and Process for Special Sessions.

Section 12-11-7
Witnesses and process for special sessions.
The circuit clerk shall, immediately after an order for a special session is made, mail to each party and his attorney of record in any case subject to trial at such session a copy of such order, addressed to such party or attorney at the post office nearest his residence, if known, duly stamped. Subpoenas shall issue for witnesses in any civil or criminal case at such special session.
(Code 1852, §637; Code 1867, §755; Code 1876, §661; Code 1886, §754; Code 1896, §916; Code 1907, §3253; Code 1923, §6674; Code 1940, T. 13, §122.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-8 - "Session of Court" Defined.

Section 12-11-8
"Session of court" defined.
The term "session of court," when used in this code, means any period of time fixed by the presiding judge of the court for the trial of cases or the transaction of any other business, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
(Code 1923, §6675; Code 1940, T. 13, §123; Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §2-102.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-9 - Transfer of Cases - Between Circuit Court and District Court.

Section 12-11-9
Transfer of cases - Between circuit court and district court.
If a case filed in the circuit court is within the exclusive jurisdiction of a district court or a case filed in the district court is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the circuit court, the circuit clerk or a judge of the court where the case was filed shall transfer the case to the docket of the appropriate court, and the clerk shall make such cost and docket fee adjustments as maybe required and transfer all case records. This section does not apply to cases filed in the circuit court prior to January 16, 1977.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §2-106.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-10 - Transfer of Cases - Involuntary Juvenile Commitment Proceedings.

Section 12-11-10
Transfer of cases - Involuntary juvenile commitment proceedings.
Except as provided in Chapter 15 of this title, involuntary commitment proceedings, primarily cognizable before the probate courts, may be transferred to the circuit court for adjudication on motion of a party to the proceeding in probate court, according to rules governing transfer of these proceedings. Probate court offices shall maintain records of all commitment proceedings.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §2-107.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 11 - Circuit Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-11-11 - Transfer of Cases - Transfer to Another Court in Same County.

Section 12-11-11
Transfer of cases - Transfer to another court in same county.
Whenever it shall appear to the court that any case filed therein should have been brought in another court in the same county, the court shall make an order transferring the case to the proper court, and the clerk or register shall forthwith certify the pleadings, process, costs and order to the court to which the case is transferred, and the case shall be docketed and proceed in the court to which it is transferred, and the costs accrued in the court in which the case was originally filed shall abide by the result of the case in the court to which transferred.
(Acts 1915, No. 725, p. 830; Code 1923, §6493; Code 1940, T. 13, §156.)