HB555 Alabama 2013 Session

Under existing law, former and retired judges may be appointed on a case by case basis to serve as private judges in certain cases in the circuit and district courts

This bill would authorize a person who previously served as an appellate court judge to act as a private judge. This bill would remove the requirement that a person may serve as a private judge only if the court in which he or she formerly served as judge would have had subject matter jurisdiction over the case. This bill would allow a person who is serving as a private judge to be called to active duty status or accept appointment as a special or senior judge while also serving as a private judge

This bill would require the Office of the Attorney General to provide a defense in any case brought against a private judge relating to his or her service as a private judge

This bill would provide further for the duties and conduct of a private judge

This bill would specifically authorize a case heard by a private judge to be heard in the county courthouse of the county where the case was filed

Relating to private judges; to amend Sections 2, 4, 7, and 8 of Act 2012-266 of the 2012 Regular Session, now appearing as Sections 12-11A-2, 12-11A-4, 12-11A-7, and 12-11A-8, respectively, Code of Alabama 1975; to authorize a person who has previously served as an appellate court judge to be a private judge; to provide further for the types of cases that may be heard by a private judge; to provide further for the duties and conduct of a private judge; to prohibit a private judge from serving as a special or senior judge; to provide that the Office of the Attorney General shall provide defense in any case brought against a private judge related to his or her service as a private judge; and to specifically authorize a case heard by a private judge to be heard in the courthouse of the county where the case was filed.