SB145 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Jul 24, 2021

Senate Bill

Expired

Current Status

Regular Session 2015

Session

Sponsor

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur Orr Senator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Jury trials, six member juries authorized in certain criminal proceedings and certain civil cases in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $50,000, Sec. 12-16-100, 12-16-101, 12-16-140 am'd.
Description: Under current law, all trials by jury are tried by a twelve member jury. This bill would provide that civil cases in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $50,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases would be tried by a six member jury.
Additionally, this bill would provide for a six member jury when a defendant pleads guilty to an offense that falls under the presumptive sentencing standards and the prosecutor chooses to pursue an increased sentence due to aggravating circumstances.
Under current law, there are no exemptions for a person to be called to serve as a juror. This bill would provide that a person 70 years of age or older may request, in writing, to the jury commission that he or she be excused from service as a juror. This bill would also allow a person 70 years of age or older to request, in writing, to the jury commission that he or she be removed from the master list of potential jurors and to allow the person to be reinstated on the master list upon request.
Subjects: Juries and Jurors