This morning Jefferson County Circuit Judge Caryl Privett took up the bingo issue in two separate hearings.
One involves sixteen bingo operations in the Birmingham. Plaintiffs' attorney argue that the rules used to shut down their clients violate the state constitution.
"The only people who can regulate bingo under this amendment are the, is the County Commission of Jefferson County or the governing bodies of each of the towns and cities within Jefferson County," said Erskin Mathis.
An attorney for Sheriff Mike Hale says his client would welcome input from the county commission.
"The amendment to the Alabama constitution is worded in such a way that it suggests that the County Commission has the obligation to do this, but to date they've not done it and Sheriff Hale for his part has complied with the law," said Keith Jackson, attorney for Sheriff Mike Hale.
District Attorney Brandon Falls says he has asked the Jefferson County Commission to establish local bingo rules more than once. Falls says local guidelines are needed regardless of the outcome of this case, but they will be especially important if the plaintiffs prevail.
The other hearing involves the House of Joshua charity. Attorneys say their clients invested hundreds of thousands of dollars.and received a bingo business license from the City of Birmingham, but never got to open their Roebuck Bingo operation because the city repealed the ordinance under which it was issued. They want a temporary restraining order that would allow them to open and operate until the end of the year.
Judge Privett took the first case under submission.
The hearing pertaining to the House of Joshua will resume tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock.
