Opinion ID: 1811547
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Claims Against Aldridge

Text: An action against a sheriff is essentially a suit against the state. Montiel v. Holcombe, 240 Ala. 352, 354, 199 So. 245, 245 (1940). [T]he State of Alabama shall never be made a defendant in any court of law or equity. Ala. Const.1901, Art. I, § 14. Accordingly, we have held: [A] sheriff ... is immune ... from suit based on state law claims arising out of the execution of the duties of his office, except for actions brought (1) to compel him to perform his duties, (2) to compel him to perform ministerial acts, (3) to enjoin him from enforcing unconstitutional laws, (4) to enjoin him from acting in bad faith, fraudulently, beyond his authority, or under a mistaken interpretation of the law, or (5) under the Declaratory Judgment Act to seek construction of a statute if he is a necessary party for the construction of the statute. Boshell v. Walker County Sheriff, 598 So.2d 843, 844 (Ala.1992). King's claims against Aldridge do not fall within any of these exceptions. Accordingly, the summary judgment is affirmed as to Aldridge, as sheriff of Colbert County. Any acts Aldridge did or failed to do with regard to the Colbert County jail were done or omitted in his official capacity as sheriff of Colbert County rather than as an individual. Therefore, the summary judgment is also affirmed as to Aldridge, individually.