AGO 1996-094.

• Case Date: January 11, 1996
• Court: Alabama

Alabama Attorney General Opinions 1996. AGO 1996-094. 1996-094January 11, 1996Honorable Diane Harris Sheriff, Butler County 700 Court Square Greenville, AL 36037 Sheriffs - Coroners - Death Certificates The sheriff has no authority to pronounce a death in the absence of the county coroner. The sheriff has no authority to sign a death certificate.Dear Sheriff Harris: This opinion is issued in response to your request for an opinion from the Attorney General. QUESTION 1 Is it legal for the sheriff or one of his deputies to respond to a call to pronounce someone dead when the county coroner cannot be located? FACTS AND ANALYSIS The duties of the sheriff are set forth in Code of Alabama 1975, _ 36-22-3. The sheriff has no duty and, indeed, no authority to pronounce someone dead. In counties where there is no deputy coroner, the probate judge may appoint a special coroner to perform the duties of the coroner where the coroner is absent from the county and his services are required. Code of Alabama 1975, _ 11-5-10; Attorney General's opinion to James E. Hood, dated June 22, 1989, A.G. No. 89-00334. CONCLUSION The sheriff has no authority to pronounce a death in the absence of the county coroner. ...