AL HB236

Applies only to Cherokee County and creates a $25 service of process fee for each document requiring personal service by the sheriff or deputy sheriff in District Court, Circuit Court, Family Court, and Juvenile Court.

Creates an additional $25 service of process fee for service of papers or documents by the sheriff or deputy sheriff arising from any civil or criminal action pending or instituted outside the State of Alabama.

Court clerks or their designees shall collect the fees and distribute them to the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund established in Section 45-10-232, Code of Alabama 1975.

Courts may waive the fees if payment creates substantial hardship upon verified written statement signed by the person requesting service and approved by the court.

District attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and grand juries are exempt from payment of the fees; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.