HB392 Alabama 2018 Session

Under existing law, docket fees and other court costs in criminal cases may be assessed by a judge upon conviction.

This bill would allow magistrates to assess the fees and other costs upon conviction.

Existing law provides for the duties of a municipal court magistrate.

This bill would give a magistrate the discretion to use electronic communication to notify defendants of any legal process required by the court in lieu of other forms of notification required by law.

This bill would also provide a municipal court magistrate with absolute judicial immunity under certain conditions.

Relating to magistrates; to amend Section 12-14-51, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the duties of a municipal court magistrate; to further authorize the use of electronic communication with a defendant in lieu of other forms of notification; to provide the magistrate with absolute judicial immunity under certain conditions; and to amend Section 12-19-150, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the assessment of fees in criminal cases, to provide that a magistrate may assess fees in the criminal cases over which he or she presides.