(a) A municipal judge may administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses and compel the production of books and papers, punish by fine not exceeding $50.00 and/or imprisonment not exceeding five days any person found and adjudged to be in contempt of court and shall have power coextensive with the jurisdiction of the district court to issue writs and other process and to approve and declare bonds forfeited. In contempt of court cases brought pursuant to Section 12-19-311(c) and (d), a municipal judge may punish by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-14-31

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) The municipal judge or, when there is more than one judge in the municipality, the presiding judge shall designate any other municipal officers who shall be authorized to approve appearance and appeal bonds.