SB155 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Dick Brewbaker
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Brantley, motor vehicles, automated photographic speeding enforcement, authorized, procedures, posting of informational signs, adoption of municipal ordinances, civil fines, record keeping, municipal court jurisdiction, appeals, Brantley Speed Limit Safety Act
Summary: The Brantley Speed Limit Safety Act lets Brantley use automated speed cameras to issue civil speeding fines (up to $100) with local adjudication and limited appeals.
What This Bill Does
The city may adopt rules to detect speeding with cameras, issue civil penalties by mail, and prosecute civil violations in Brantley Municipal Court. The owner is presumed liable, but there are procedures to contest liability; fines, court costs, and a $10 CJIC fee apply, and penalties are civil, not criminal. Notices come by certified mail with specific contents, and appeals go to Crenshaw County Circuit Court for trial de novo. The act requires signage, public notice, tamper protections, and annual data reporting; it also limits how records and consequences affect criminal history or insurance.

Who It Affects
Owners of motor vehicles registered in Alabama (and applicable out-of-state owners) whose speeding violations are captured by Brantley’s automated enforcement system; they may receive a notice, owe a civil fine, and can contest liability or appeal.
The City of Brantley, Brantley Municipal Court, Crenshaw County Circuit Court (on appeal), and state agencies (ALDOT and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center) which implement, prosecute, adjudicate, and report on the automated speeding enforcement program.

Key Provisions
The City of Brantley may adopt an ordinance to use automated photographic speeding enforcement within city limits; speeding violations are treated as civil violations with fines up to $100 and municipal court costs.
Definitions include civil violation, owner, photographic speeding enforcement, speeding violation (at least 10 mph over the limit where Brantley’s local limits may override state limits), and trained technician.
Notice and liability: notices by certified mail within 30 days to the vehicle owner; the owner is presumed liable but may contest; rental car businesses may be notified if necessary to identify the actual driver.
Signage and public notice: signs at least at 10 city entry points; warning signs within 60 yards of devices; public awareness campaign started at least 30 days before use; decoy devices may be used.
Judicial process: Brantley Municipal Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate the civil violations; a timely hearing can be requested; the city bears the burden of proof in hearings; an appeal to the Crenshaw County Circuit Court is allowed for trial de novo with the circuit court handling and costs.
Evidence and procedures: recorded images, affidavits from trained technicians, and other evidence are admissible under defined rules; violations must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence; the system’s reliability may be attested by technician affidavit.
Penalties and records: civil fines, court costs, and a $10 CJIC fee; late fees up to $25; the adjudication is not a criminal conviction and does not appear on criminal or driving records; nonpayment does not justify arrest but may trigger penalties and court actions.
Defenses and limitations: affirmative defenses include compliance with police orders, authorized emergency vehicle operation, stolen vehicle or plate, or not the vehicle owner; identity issues of the owner/vehicle affect weight of evidence but not admissibility.
Data and accountability: the city must keep data on effectiveness and report annually to ALDOT and CJIC.
Tampering: tampering with automated speeding devices is prohibited except by authorized persons; the act prohibits unauthorized interference.

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