SB262 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Courts, magistrates, fees and costs, authorized to assess, duties, use of electronic communication for notification purposes authorized, Secs. 12-14-51, 12-19-150 am'd.

Summary

SB 262 expands municipal court magistrates' powers in Alabama by allowing them to assess criminal fees, use electronic notifications to defendants, and receive absolute judicial immunity under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

The bill would let magistrates assess docket fees and other court costs in criminal cases they preside, not just judges. It would authorize using email or text messages to notify defendants of required legal processes, in place of other notification methods. It also provides magistrates with absolute judicial immunity when performing their official duties, under certain conditions.

Who It Affects

• Municipal court magistrates: gain authority to assess fees in criminal cases they preside, may use electronic notification, and receive absolute judicial immunity in specified situations.
• Defendants in municipal court criminal cases: subject to fees assessed by magistrates and may receive court notifications via email or text messages.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: A magistrate may assess docket fees and other court costs in criminal cases over which he or she presides, generally upon conviction.
• Provision 2: A magistrate and the municipal court clerk may use emails or text messages to notify a defendant of any required legal process, and magistrates are granted absolute judicial immunity under certain conditions.

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