SB408 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Courts, circuit and district judges, qualifications, min times of state licensure to practice law, persons with certain professional disciplinary actions, prohibited from qualification, Secs. 12-11-1, 12-12-1 am'd.

Summary

SB 408 would raise the minimum years of legal practice required to qualify for Alabama circuit and district court judgeships and bar candidates with recent disciplinary actions from qualifying.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires circuit court judges candidates to have a combined total of 10 years of licensure (in Alabama or another state) and district court judges candidates to have a combined total of 5 years of licensure. It also prohibits anyone who has been suspended or disbarred by any state or state bar association within the 10 years before their election or appointment from qualifying for either judgeship. The qualification rules apply to persons elected or appointed after January 1, 2010, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2020.

Who It Affects

• Candidates for circuit court judgeships, who must show 10 years of licensure (in Alabama or another state) and no recent suspensions or disbarments.
• Candidates for district court judgeships, who must show 5 years of licensure (in Alabama or another state) and no recent suspensions or disbarments.
• Attorneys who have been suspended or disbarred within the previous 10 years, who would be disqualified from qualifying for either judgeship.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-11-1 to require a combined total of 10 years of licensure for circuit court judge candidates, with a ban on those suspended or disbarred within the last 10 years.
• Amends Section 12-12-1 to require a combined total of 5 years of licensure for district court judge candidates, with a ban on those suspended or disbarred within the last 10 years.
• Licensure can be from Alabama or another state, as long as the total years meet the new thresholds.
• Effective date: January 1, 2020.

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

Subjects

Courts