SB352 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

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

Summary

Montgomery County adds a $30 per-document service-of-process fee for civil and criminal cases, with hardship exemptions, and directs the funds to the county general fund.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require an extra $30 fee for each process service or attempted service in Montgomery County's civil and criminal courts, in addition to existing charges. The fee collected would be deposited into the county general fund by the court clerk. Some groups are exempt from paying the fee (district attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries), and a court can waive the fee if paying it would cause substantial hardship. The act only applies to Montgomery County and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals or organizations that need service of process in Montgomery County civil or criminal cases will pay an additional $30 per document, unless a court determines paying would cause substantial hardship; district attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries are exempt from paying the fee.
• Montgomery County government and the court system will collect the new fee and deposit it into the county general fund.

Key Provisions

• Adds a $30 service of process fee per document for service or attempted service in both criminal and civil divisions of Montgomery County district and circuit courts, in addition to existing charges.
• The fee is collected by the court official and sent to the Montgomery County Commission to be deposited into the county general fund; the fee can be waived if a court finds that payment would create a substantial hardship, based on a signed statement of hardship.
• District attorneys, law enforcement, and grand juries are exempt from paying the fee.
• The act applies only to Montgomery County and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

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

Subjects

Montgomery County