SB37 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

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

SB37 would require courts to offer payment options or community service for those who can’t pay fines within 30 days, limit incarceration for nonpayment, prohibit license suspensions for not appearing or not paying, and require automatic license reinstatement with controls on private collection fees.

What This Bill Does

If passed, courts must order deferred payments, installment plans, or community service for defendants who can’t pay within 30 days. Courts may reduce or remit fines and fees. A defendant cannot be jailed solely because they can’t pay. Private entities cannot charge probation or collection fees, and **driver’s licenses cannot be suspended solely for failure to appear or nonpayment;** reinstatement letters must be sent promptly for licenses previously suspended or revoked for those reasons, without requiring full payment.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted of traffic violations or Class B/C misdemeanors who are unable to pay fines within 30 days; they gain payment options or community service, and may have fines reduced or remitted without facing incarceration.
• Private probation/collection service providers and the state driver’s license system; private entities cannot charge fees for probation or collection services, and licenses must be reinstated promptly for those previously suspended/revoked due to failure to appear or nonpayment.

Key Provisions

• Courts must order deferred payment, installment agreements, or community service for those unable to pay within 30 days; payments must be proportional to ability to pay.
• Courts may reduce or remit outstanding fines and fees.
• No incarceration solely for inability to pay a fine, fee, penalty, court cost, or restitution.
• Private entities are prohibited from charging fees for probation or collection services.
• Driver’s licenses cannot be suspended or revoked solely for failure to appear or nonpayment; if a license was suspended/revoked for these reasons, reinstatement letters must be sent promptly and do not require full payment.

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