Under existing court rule, a court may continue a criminal and civil case upon a motion of a party or the court. This bill would require a criminal and civil case be continued when a party, his or her leading attorney, or a witness satisfying certain criteria is absent because he or she is on active duty in the armed forces. This bill would require in criminal cases that bail be set for certain defendants when the state is granted such a continuance. This bill would also require the Alabama Supreme Court to amend its rules to conform with these requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-25-32, 13A-5-40