SB418 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Montgomery Co., service of process fees for civil or criminal documents increased, exceptions

Summary

Montgomery County would be allowed to contract out service of process and add a $30 per-document fee for civil and criminal cases, with hardship exemptions and funds going to the county general fund.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Montgomery County Commission, with the sheriff's approval, contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process (excluding warrants of arrest). It imposes a new $30 fee per document for service or attempted service in both criminal and civil cases in Montgomery County courts. The collected fees go to the county general fund, with hardship exemptions possible and certain groups (district attorney, law enforcement, and grand juries) exempt from paying. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals or businesses that must have service of process in Montgomery County civil or criminal cases, who may have to pay an additional $30 per document unless there is a hardship exemption.
• Montgomery County government and court system entities (County Commission, sheriff, designated court officials) responsible for contracting service of process, collecting the new fees, and depositing them into the county general fund; district attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries are exempt from paying.

Key Provisions

• Section 2: The Montgomery County Commission, with the sheriff's concurrence, may contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process (excluding warrants of arrest).
• Section 3(a): Adds a $30 service-of-process fee per document for service or attempted service in the criminal division of Montgomery County courts, in addition to existing charges.
• Section 3(b): Adds a $30 service-of-process fee per document for service or attempted service in the civil division of Montgomery County courts, in addition to existing charges.
• Section 3(c): Requires the collected fees to be remitted to the Montgomery County Commission to be deposited in the county general fund; fee collection can be waived if the court finds a substantial hardship, evidenced by a verified statement signed by the requester and approved by the court.
• Section 3(d): Exempts the district attorney, law enforcement, and grand juries from paying the new fees.
• Section 4: Establishes the effective date as the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Montgomery County