SB417 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Court costs, restitution, collection proceedings by district attorney, fee, distribution of pro rata share to victim, Secs. 12-17-225, 12-17-225.2, 12-17-225.3, 12-17-225.4, 12-17-225.7 am'd.

Summary

SB417 would change how court-ordered restitution and related court money are collected and distributed, adding pro rata sharing with crime victims and allowing private collection agencies.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill changes how collections are distributed among the district attorney, the Unified Judicial System, the circuit clerk, and victims, so amounts collected are shared pro rata rather than prioritized to certain offices. It introduces a 90‑day delinquency notice and adds a 30% collection fee when payments are late. It also creates enforcement tools for nonpayment and allows the Administrative Office of Courts to use methods like notices, tax refund intercepts, or license suspensions to collect money. It permits private collection contracts to pursue court-ordered payments.

Who It Affects

• Crime victims who would receive pro rata shares of collections and restitution payments.
• District attorneys, circuit clerks, and the Unified Judicial System that would receive funds under a pro rata distribution and administer collection efforts.
• Defendants who owe restitution and other court-ordered amounts and may face a 30% collection fee and enforcement actions after 90 days delinquent.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 12-17-225, 12-17-225.2, 12-17-225.3, 12-17-225.4, and 12-17-225.7 to establish pro rata distributions of court-ordered funds, including victim restitution and victims' compensation.
• Requires 90 days delinquency notice and adds a 30% collection fee; authorizes enforcement actions by the district attorney, sentencing court, and Administrative Office of Courts when payments default.
• Distributes collected funds with specified percentages: 75% of the collection fee plus 0.38% of the total amount collected to the county district attorney's fund; 10.38% of the total amount collected to the State Judicial Administration Fund; 25% of the collection fee plus 2.31% of the total amount collected to the circuit clerk's fund; all victims and other recipients receive pro rata shares.
• Authorizes contracting with private collection agencies for pursuing court-ordered payments, at both the district attorney and state levels.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passing.

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

Subjects

Court Costs