SB441 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Priscilla Dunn
Democrat
Co-Sponsors: Bobby D. Singleton Linda Coleman-Madison Rodger Smitherman William “Bill” M. Beasley Tammy Irons
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Midfield, motor vehicles, automated photographic speeding enforcement, authorized, procedures, posting of informational signs, adoption of municipal ordinances, civil fines, record keeping, municipal court jurisdiction, appeals, Midfield Speed Limit Safety Act
Summary: The Midfield Speed Limit Safety Act lets Midfield use automated speed cameras to issue civil speeding fines and creates a local process for notices, hearings, and appeals.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes automated photographic speeding enforcement in Midfield and treats speeding as a civil violation rather than a criminal offense. The vehicle owner is presumptively liable for the civil fine, with procedures to contest liability; notices are mailed, hearings are held in the Midfield Municipal Court, and appeals go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo. Civil fines are capped at $100 plus municipal court costs (and a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center for record-keeping), with possible late fees up to $25; civil penalties do not appear on criminal or driving records. The act requires signage and public notices, prohibits tampering with devices (except by authorized personnel), and allows a private action against the actual operator if the civil fine is paid; it also provides for data reporting and outlines evidence and hearing rules.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners (including those whose vehicle is rented or leased, and those registered in Alabama or another state) who may receive notices, be presumed liable for civil fines, and have the right to contest liability; the definition of 'owner' excludes rental companies (owner is the person renting/using the vehicle), dealer-plate scenarios, and stolen vehicles.
City of Midfield government and its municipal court, the Jefferson County Circuit Court (on appeal), and related enforcement and record-keeping entities (including trained technicians and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center) who administer notices, hearings, fines, costs, and annual data reporting.

Key Provisions
Allows automated speeding enforcement in Midfield and creates a civil-violation framework with notices issued by mail; penalties are civil, not criminal crimes.
Civil fine capped at $100; court costs allowed; $10 additional fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center for record keeping; possible late fee up to $25 for untimely payments.
Notice and hearing process: notice by certified mail within 30 days; owner may pay in lieu of a hearing or request an adjudicative hearing within specified timelines; the city bears the burden of proof at hearings and affidavits from trained technicians are admissible.
Appeals: civil liability decisions can be appealed to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo; circuit court costs may be assessed to the liable party; evidence and procedures on appeal follow civil-court rules.
Signage and public notice: mandatory posting of signs at city entry points and near speed-detection devices; public awareness campaign prior to operation; decoy devices permitted; signs must meet specified placement requirements.
Tampering prohibition: tampering with automated speeding-enforcement devices is prohibited except by authorized persons.
Evidence and records: violations do not appear on criminal or driving records; no moving-violation status; evidence from the camera can be used under applicable rules of evidence; vehicle-ownership proof may be required.
Private action: a person who pays a civil fine may sue the actual operator for the paid amount plus damages and attorney fees, subject to conditions and a two-year deadline.
Additional operational rules: operator identity and vehicle identity issues can affect weight of evidence; a stolen-vehicle or stolen-plate defense can be raised as an affirmative defense.
Data reporting: the city must keep statistical data on effectiveness and share it annually with the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.

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