May 18, 2009

Governor Riley Signs Bill Setting Experience Requirements for Judges

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley signed into law Monday a bill that sets legal experience requirements for state judges.

Currently, Alabama judges are required only to be licensed lawyers. The new law signed Monday requires that Alabama Supreme Court justices and judges on the Court of Criminal Appeals and Court of Civil Appeals be licensed lawyers for at least 10 years. The new law requires at least five years experience as a licensed lawyer to be a circuit judge and at least three years to be a district judge.

“More than 30 states have some experience requirements for judges and I’m pleased Alabama now joins them,” said Governor Riley.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Roger Bedford and Representative Paul DeMarco.

The new requirements go into effect January 1, 2010.