HB474 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Hubbard
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Lee Co., court costs, additional in circuit and district court cases, distrib. to circuit clerk and district attorney
Summary: Lee County would add a $50 court cost in most cases to fund the circuit clerk, the district attorney, and court operations, starting a few months after it becomes law.
What This Bill Does
The bill imposes an additional $50 court cost in civil, criminal, and traffic cases in Lee County courts (excluding protection from abuse cases). The collected money is split: 50% goes to the Circuit Clerk's Fund, 40% to the District Attorney's Fund, and 10% to the Judicial Fund of the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit to cover court operations. Courts may waive or reduce the fee for people with substantial financial hardship.

Who It Affects
Lee County residents who are involved in civil, criminal, or traffic cases (excluding abuse protection cases) who would pay the new $50 fee.
County offices and court administration: the Circuit Clerk's Office, the District Attorney's Office, and the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit's Judicial Fund, which receive and use the new funds to support their operations.

Key Provisions
Imposes an additional court cost of $50 in all civil and criminal cases, including traffic, in Lee County courts, except for protection from abuse cases.
Distributes the additional costs: 50% to the Lee County Circuit Clerk's Fund, 40% to the District Attorney's Fund, and 10% to the Judicial Fund of the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit for court operation expenses.
Funds are to be used to operate the circuit clerk's office, the district attorney's office, and the courts.
Allows circuit or district judges to waive or remit the additional cost upon a sworn, substantial financial hardship.
The act is intended not to diminish or replace other funding sources for the circuit clerk, district attorney, or court operations.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval (or when it becomes law otherwise).
Apply only in Lee County.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Lee County