SB248 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Indigent Defense Advisory Boards, immunity for board members, annual meetings required, governing rules to be adopted by the Office of Indigent Defense Services, Sec. 15-12-4 am'd.

Summary

SB 248 would give civil immunity to actions of indigent defense advisory boards and allow substitution of the Presiding Judge if there is a conflict of interest.

What This Bill Does

The bill provides civil immunity for actions taken by voluntary indigent defense advisory boards in each circuit. It also allows the Presiding Judge to designate another circuit judge to serve on the board if the Presiding Judge has a conflict of interest. It codifies that board members have immunities similar to state agents and maintains the board’s duties to analyze and advise on indigent defense systems. The bill preserves the existing structure, terms, and meeting requirements of the boards while adding these immunity and substitution provisions.

Who It Affects

• Voluntary indigent defense advisory board members in each circuit: gain civil immunity for actions taken in their advisory role.
• Presiding judges and other circuit judges: may substitute another judge from within the circuit to serve on the board if the Presiding Judge has a conflict of interest; vacancies on the board are filled by the Presiding Judge.

Key Provisions

• Civil immunity for actions taken by the voluntary indigent defense advisory board.
• If the Presiding Judge has a conflict of interest, the Judge shall designate another member of the judiciary from within the circuit to serve on the advisory board.
• Board composition and appointment rules (five members including the Presiding Judge as chair, bar association president, and three other attorneys) with vacancies filled by the Presiding Judge; terms of one year with possible reappointment.
• Meetings: at least quarterly; quorum of three; travel expenses paid by the office; no member compensation.
• Immunities for board members equal to those afforded to state agents under Section 36-1-12; board duties include analyzing and advising on indigent defense systems; director may appeal board decisions to the Indigent Defense Review Panel, whose decision is final.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses