SB327 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clay Scofield
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to Marshall County; to create a service of process fee to be charged for service of process by a sheriff of documents in the District Court, Circuit Court, Family Court, and Juvenile Court of the county; to create a service of process fee to be charged for service of process in actions instituted outside the state; and to provide for distribution of the proceeds of the fee.
Summary: Marshall County would impose two $25 service-of-process fees for sheriff service of documents, with the proceeds going to the county's Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund.
What This Bill Does
The bill adds a $25 fee for personal service of process by the sheriff in Marshall County courts, and a $25 fee for service or attempted service in actions outside Alabama. The court clerk collects these fees and deposits them into the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund. The fees can be waived if the court finds a substantial hardship, based on a verified hardship statement. Some groups are exempt from paying, including the district attorney, law enforcement, and grand juries.

Who It Affects
Residents and parties involved in Marshall County court cases who need sheriff service of process (within District, Circuit, Family, or Juvenile Courts) or service in actions outside Alabama, who would pay the $25 fees.
The Sheriff's Office and the county's Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund, which would receive the collected fees to support enforcement activities (with certain groups exempt from paying).

Key Provisions
Imposes a $25 service-of-process fee for personal service of documents by the sheriff in Marshall County courts.
Imposes an additional $25 service-of-process fee for service or attempted service in actions outside the State of Alabama.
Requires the court clerk to collect the fees and distribute them to the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund in the county.
Fees may be waived if the court finds that payment would cause a substantial hardship, upon a verified hardship statement signed by the requester and approved by the court.
Exempts the district attorney, law enforcement, and grand juries from paying the fees.
Effective date: on the first day of the third month following passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Marshall County, sheriff, court costs for personal service of process, distribution to the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund.