Alabama § 12-19-50 - Issuance of Execution Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Own Costs; Issuance of Execution Against Sheriff, Etc., Failing to Return, Levy, or Collect Execution Issued Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Costs.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 12-19-50 — Issuance of Execution Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Own Costs; Issuance of Execution Against Sheriff, Etc., Failing to Return, Levy, or Collect Execution Issued Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Costs., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 12-19-50. Issuance of Execution Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Own Costs; Issuance of Execution Against Sheriff, Etc., Failing to Return, Levy, or Collect Execution Issued Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Costs.
(a) The Clerk of the Supreme Court, clerks of the courts of appeals, clerks of the circuit courts and probate judges, upon return of an execution “no property found” against the defendant by the proper officer of the county in which the judgment was entered, or, if the execution is from the Supreme Court or courts of appeals, of the county from which the case was brought, may issue execution against the plaintiff or appellant, as the case may be, for the costs actually created by the plaintiff or appellant, but for none other, to be collected and returned as other executions.
(b) Judgment may be entered on motion in the circuit court of such county, in the name of the clerk or probate judge issuing the execution, against the sheriff or his sureties, or either of them, upon three days’ notice, for dereliction of duty on the part of the sheriff for failing to return, levy or collect such execution so issued against the plaintiff or against the plaintiff and his sureties or against the appellant or against the appellant and his sureties for such costs, as follows:
(1) Twenty percent upon the amount of the execution for failing to return same;
(2) For failing to collect the amount of such execution when the same could have been collected by said sheriff by the use of reasonable diligence, the full amount of such execution and 10 percent on the amount thereof as damages; and
(3) For failure to pay over the amount collected thereon, the full amount of the sum so collected and not paid over and five percent per month damage for each month after demand.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 12-19-50
What does Code of Alabama § 12-19-50 cover?
Section 12-19-50 ("Issuance of Execution Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Own Costs; Issuance of Execution Against Sheriff, Etc., Failing to Return, Levy, or Collect Execution Issued Against Plaintiff or Appellant for Costs.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 12-19-50?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 12-19-50" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 12-19-50 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.