HB307 Summary - Speedy Trial Act

• Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court may appoint sitting or retired circuit judges as visiting judges to handle specific violent crime cases upon request from the Attorney General or district attorney.

• Chief Justice must decide on visiting judge requests within 30 days and may consider fund availability; visiting judges serve until final adjudication of their assigned case.

• Visiting judges receive all powers and authority of their respective judgeship, actual and necessary expenses approved by the Chief Justice, and retired judges may receive compensation under existing law.

• Counties must provide adequate courtroom space; visiting judges may use their own court reporter, request a special roving reporter, or the Attorney General/district attorney may contract for a special court reporter.

• Creates the Speedy Trial Fund in the State Treasury to pay expenses authorized by this act; presiding circuit judges may reassign cases to other judges in the circuit; act becomes effective June 1, 2025.