Alabama amends judicial qualification requirements

The Alabama Policy Institute has issued the following: 

Statement by API Vice President Michael Ciamarra on final passage of Senate Bill 28:

 Having worked with Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, on the original House version of this legislation, we were very pleased to see the Legislature act to raise the bar on the qualifications for a sitting judge.  Rep. DeMarco worked tirelessly on this legislation and persistently made the case to his colleagues to improve judges’ qualifications.  We thank Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, for handling the bill in the Senate and the bipartisan cooperation to enact real change. This bill was a priority also with the Alabama State Bar.

 No doubt, this bill will improve the system of justice and serve the citizens of Alabama very well. Judges matter to every American. Now, Alabama voters will have the confidence that when they elect a judge they will know that the individual has real-world legal experience before undertaking their solemn judicial duties. Those who aspire to be judges, and Alabama voters, will now see that experience not only matters but is required.

See the full text of this bill by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/o8qt8y

KEY PROVISIONS OF BILL:  The bill requires that anyone sitting on State Supreme Court, courts of civil or criminal appeals be a licensed lawyer for at least 10 years. Circuit court judges will now need five years law license and District court three years law license. The legislation takes effect during the 2010 Alabama election cycle. Current incumbent judges will be exempted.