AL SB197

Reduces jury size from 12 to 6 persons in all criminal cases involving only misdemeanor charges where the defendant requests a trial by jury.

Reduces jury size from 12 to 6 persons in civil cases where an appeal would be to the Court of Civil Appeals.

Becomes effective immediately upon ratification of a constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to set jury sizes by general law.

Addresses Alabama Supreme Court interpretation prohibiting general law from authorizing six-person juries in civil cases without constitutional amendment.