HB248 Alabama 2012 Session

Under existing law, the district court has jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy is $10,000 or less, and the circuit court has jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000

Under existing law, the small claims division of the district court has jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $3,000

Under existing law, the circuit court may impose a fine not exceeding $100 for contempt

Under existing law, a plaintiff filing a case in circuit or district court is charged a filing fee

This bill would increase the jurisdiction of the district court to cases where the amount in controversy is $20,000 or less and would provide that the circuit court has jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $20,000

This bill would also raise the jurisdiction of the small claims division of the district court to cover all cases where the amount in controversy is $5,000 or less

This bill would increase the fine for contempt to $500

This bill would revise the filing fee and filing fee distribution statutes to reflect the new jurisdiction, but to keep the filing fees and distribution of filing fees at the same amounts as before the revisions provided in this act

To amend Sections 12-11-30, 12-12-30, 12-12-31, 12-19-71, and 12-19-72, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide further for the jurisdiction of the circuit court, district court, and the small claims division of the district court and for the amount of fines for contempt.