SB239 Summary

• Replaces the "Judicial Weighted Caseload Study" with the "Judicial Actual Caseload Study" for determining judgeship needs in Alabama district and circuit courts.

• Requires the Alabama Supreme Court to adopt factors for the Judicial Actual Caseload Study by January 1, 2023, including criminal cases by count, civil cases, probate appeals, reallocation impacts, and other relevant data.

• Prohibits reallocation of judgeships until three years of data are available after the study factors are revised.

• Maintains the restriction that no judicial circuit shall lose more than one judgeship through reallocation in a two-year period.

• Prevents judgeship reallocation once a judicial candidate has qualified to appear on the ballot.