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Saturday, November 7
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Help and Opinion FAQs
» Go Directly to Opinion Search
NOTE if you can't view a PDF file: There was a recent Microsoft patch, Explorer patch Q832894, that effectively disabled Version 5.0 of the Adobe Acrobat Reader (and perhaps older versions). The solution is to update to Version 6 of Acrobat Reader. You can also lower security restrictions for a particular Web site by changing that site from the Internet zone to the Trusted Zone. (From IE: select Tools, select Internet Options, select Security, select Trusted Sites, select Add Site).
Full Text Searching. Full text searching on the actual document text is available for Opinions 1998-220 to the present. You may use a number of parameters, including Boolean methods [AND, OR, NOT, wildcard (*,?,-), and inclusives ({},[])]. Please be certain to check the Search Tips above for assistance on formulating accurate queries.
Full Text Searching on a Database. A database exists for all opinions from 1979 through September 10, 1998 (1979-001 through 1998-219). Various fields are used to describe each opinion including Synopsis, Description, Keyword, Opinion Number, Date of Final Opinion, Individual Requesting Opinion, and County of Originating Request. The same flexible search methods are available for this database as for the full-text searching mentioned above.
Following are important tips and short descriptions of the fields which you are searching in the 1979 - 1998 database opinions.
- Synopsis: Words used to describe, basically, the opinion 'in a nutshell.'
- Description: A more complete and detailed synopsis of the opinion.
- Keyword: Keywords are topical words or phrases which are intended to indicate the general subject matter of the opinion. Keywords my include specific Code sections, act numbers, or amendment numbers. Examples of frequently used keywords include "municipalities," "counties," "sheriffs," "elections," "public records," and "Community Notification Act."
- Opinion Number: Use the Options Search by Opinion Number. You should select a year from the drop down box, then type in a numeric opinion number (i.e., 4, 35, 149, etc.) On the opinion range search, make certain your beginning opinion year and number is previous to your ending year and/or opinion number.
- Date of Final Opinion: Using the Options Search by Date is the recommended procedure. Alternatively, you may include a specific date in your search criteria for the date that an opinion was issued. When searching for the final date, it must be in a format such as 7 29 1998 or 11 15 1985. When including a date with other search criteria, enclose the date text in quotation marks. (Example: "7 29 1998" AND greene)
- Individual Requesting Opinion: You may include a full or partial name within your search criteria for the party who requested the opinion. The format must be LastName FirstName. You will achieve best results by searching for the last name only, due to variations in names and suffixes such as Jr., etc.
- County of Originating Request: Using the Options Search by County is the recommended procedure. You may select a county name separately or include it in your search criteria.
The Attorney General does not address issues concerning matters currently in litigation. The request form is in Adobe Acrobat's PDF format, which requires Adobe's free Acrobat Reader. The Online Fill-in Request Form allows you to fill in the form online; however, it MUST be printed and signed. The Manual Request Form allows you to print the form first and fill it in manually. NOTE: The form, regardless of which version you use, must be printed and contain an original signature and mailed to the Attorney General's Office address specified on the form.
Due to the inconsistency of the conversion of the older opinion TIF images files to PDF (Opinions 79-00001 through 98-00219), some PDF opinions will print off the side of the paper, thus cutting off portions of the image. If you experience this problem, you may resolve it quite simply. When you select the "Print" button from the bottom toolbar on your browser (the toolbar which is added after your PDF Reader has launched and you are looking at an opinion), select the "Shrink to Fit" option in the print option box which pops up. Please see the circled areas of the graphic below:
We believe this problem occurs in the older opinions only; however, use the option any time you experience a problem. In addition, if you would please email the Webbie with any opinion numbers which you note are affected, it would be very much appreciated. They will be promptly fixed.
The Alabama Constitution specifically calls upon the Attorney General to issue official opinions about state law. Often state law can be confusing; therefore, state officials may request this office to give our legal interpretation of the law in understandable terms. Upon written request, the Attorney General furnishes written opinions on questions of law to State departments, agencies, boards and commissions, to the Legislature and its members, and to certain other public officials and political subdivisions.
- What is an Attorney General's opinion?
- Section 36-15-1 of the Code of Alabama imposes certain enumerated duties on the Attorney General. These include giving his opinion, in writing, on questions of law connected with the interests of the state and state departments and to certain enumerated local, county, and municipal officials and bodies.
- Who is entitled to request an Attorney General's opinion?
- Any officer, governing body, department or agency of the State, a county, or municipality.
- How should opinion requests be submitted?
- Opinion requests should be submitted in writing. If the opinion request is submitted by a board or governing body, a resolution from the board or governing body should also be included.
- When will opinions not be issued?
- The Attorney General does not address issues concerning matters currently in litigation. The Attorney General does not address moot, private, or personal questions in which the state, county, or public is not materially or primarily interested. The Attorney General does not address the constitutionality of statutes.
- Do Attorney General's opinions carry the weight of law?
- Opinions of the Attorney General are advisory in nature and not binding. They are, however, entitled to great weight and may constitute persuasive authority. The written opinion of the Attorney General secured by any officer, board, local governing body, or agency protects the officer and members of the board or agency from liability to either the state, county, or other municipal subdivisions of the state because of any official act or acts performed as directed or advised in such opinion.
- How can I receive a copy of an Attorney General's opinion?
- Opinions are available online, or copies of opinions are distributed at no charge upon request to the office.
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