SB188 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

District attorneys, assistant district attorneys, not subject to co. personnel systems, Sec. 12-17-220.1 am'd.

Summary

SB188 lets Alabama district attorneys appoint investigators who are not subject to county civil service rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows a district attorney to appoint a chief investigator and additional investigators who are peace officers and certified, with authority similar to deputy sheriffs and duties assigned by the DA. These investigators would serve at the pleasure of the district attorney and would not be subject to county civil service systems. Local laws authorizing such appointments may continue, but this act supersedes conflicting local laws. The changes would take effect on the first day of the third month after the bill is approved.

Who It Affects

• District attorneys and the investigators they appoint, who gain authority to hire and supervise peace officer investigators without county civil service constraints.
• Counties and county personnel systems, whose civil service rules would not apply to DA investigators and whose local laws could be superseded where they conflict with this act.

Key Provisions

• The appointment of district attorney investigators shall not be subject to any county civil service system, and this shall supersede conflicting local laws.
• Investigators appointed by the district attorney must be peace officers, meet minimum standards, hold certification from the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, have authority equal to deputy sheriffs, serve at the pleasure of the district attorney, and perform duties as assigned.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

District Attorneys