HB673 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Court costs, criminal cases, entry of judgment by probate judge upon presentment by clerk of court

Summary

HB673 would treat all criminal court costs, fines, and restitution as a judgment against the defendant and place a lien on the defendant in the probate court when the final judgment is entered.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill makes court costs, docket fees, fines, and restitution in a criminal case a judgment against the defendant as soon as the court enters the judgment. The judge of probate would immediately record this judgment as a lien on the defendant, at no cost, when the clerk presents the final judgment. If the underlying conviction is overturned on appeal, the judgment would be removed or satisfied. The law would take effect immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted in criminal cases, whose court costs, fines, docket fees, and restitution would become a formal judgment and create a lien against them.
• Judge of probate (probate court) and staff, who would record the judgment as a lien upon presentment of the final judgment, without any filing cost.

Key Provisions

• All court costs, docket fees, fines, and restitution assessed in a criminal proceeding are deemed a judgment against the defendant immediately upon entry of judgment or adjudication of guilt.
• The final judgment shall be immediately recorded by the judge of probate as a lien, without cost, upon presentment to the judge of probate by the clerk of the court.
• If the underlying conviction is overturned on appeal, the judgment is removed or satisfied.
• The act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor (or becoming law).

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

Subjects

Court Costs