HB226 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Mobile County, court costs, add'l levied in circuit and district court criminal cases, distrib. for mental health court

Summary

HB226 would add a $10 extra court cost in Mobile County criminal cases to fund a new mental health diversionary court program.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a $10 additional court cost on each criminal case filed in Mobile County's circuit and district courts (including traffic cases, but excluding juvenile or family court). The clerk collects this amount and pays it to the Mobile County Commission. The County Commission, with the mental health court judge, would distribute the funds to the circuit court and district attorney to create, implement, and run a mental health court. The fee cannot be waived separately unless all other case fees are waived. The law would take effect on the first day of the third month after gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals with criminal (including traffic) cases in Mobile County circuit or district courts will pay an added $10 in court costs.
• Mobile County Commission, the circuit court, and the district attorney would receive and use the funds to establish and operate the mental health court program.
• Juvenile and family court cases are excluded from the new $10 charge.
• Courts cannot waive this $10 fee separately; it can only be waived if all other case fees and costs are waived.

Key Provisions

• Imposes an additional $10 court cost on each criminal case filed in Mobile County circuit and district courts, excluding juvenile and family court cases.
• Collected by the court clerk and paid to the Mobile County Commission, which distributes the funds to the circuit court and district attorney for the creation, implementation, and ongoing administration of the mental health court.
• Funds are designated for the mental health diversionary program known as the 'mental health court.'
• The $10 fee cannot be waived separately; waivers apply only if all other fees, assessments, costs, fines, and charges are waived.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill is enacted into law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mobile County