Criminal and civil procedure; continuance of case when party, attorney, or witness is on active military duty, bail required to be set in such cases subject to conditions

This bill requires Alabama courts to automatically continue both criminal and civil cases when a party, their lead attorney, or a key witness is on active military duty. In criminal cases, courts must set bail for defendants when a continuance is granted due to military absence (except for violent offenses or capital charges). The bill also mandates that courts only proceed with a case if the absent party or attorney announces readiness for trial, and it requires the Alabama Supreme Court to update its rules to align with these changes. The law applies to all cases involving active-duty military members and takes effect October 1, 2026.