SB418 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Traffic violations, misdemeanors, court authorized to order deferred or installment payments or community service, court prohibited from suspending driver's license for failure to appear or pay fines or court costs

Summary

SB418 would require courts to offer payment options or community service for unpaid traffic fines and misdemeanors, limit jail for inability to pay, and protect drivers' licenses from punishment for nonpayment or failure to appear.

What This Bill Does

If a defendant cannot pay within 30 days, the court must arrange a deferred payment plan, installment agreement, or community service. The court may reduce or remit fines and fees in appropriate cases. The bill prohibits incarceration solely due to inability to pay and bars private entities from charging probation or collection fees. It also stops suspending or revoking a driver's license solely for failure to appear or nonpayment and requires immediate reinstatement of licenses previously suspended or revoked for those reasons.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted of a traffic violation or a Class B or Class C misdemeanor who cannot pay their fine, penalty, or court costs within 30 days (they would be offered payment plans or community service and may have fines reduced or remitted).
• Individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked solely for failure to appear or nonpayment, who would be reinstated promptly and not required to pay in full.

Key Provisions

• Courts must order deferred payment, installment agreements, or community service for defendants unable to pay within 30 days.
• Courts may reduce or remit fines and fees in appropriate cases.
• Indigent defendants may not be incarcerated solely for inability to pay a fine, fee, penalty, or restitution.
• Private entities may not charge fees for probation or collection services.
• Driver's licenses may not be suspended or revoked solely for failure to appear or nonpayment related to traffic violations or Class B/C misdemeanors.
• Reinstatement letters must be sent immediately to reinstate licenses previously suspended or revoked for those reasons and are not conditioned on full payment.
• Clerks may establish conditions for payment plans and may charge a one-time $10 management fee; defendants must inform the court of address changes.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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