TUSCUMBIA — An attorney who was indicted on a charge of attempting to bribe a juror has been suspended from practicing law, officials with the Alabama Bar Association said Thursday.
Tuscumbia attorney Billy Underwood was indicted Jan. 8 by a Colbert County grand jury. He was charged with attempting to bribe a prospective juror in a civil case.
Alex Rice, communications coordinator for the Alabama State Bar, said Thursday that Underwood has been “interimly suspended” pursuant to Rule 20 of the Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
Officials said because of the suspension, Underwood’s cases are being referred to other local attorneys.
Underwood, who has practiced law for 38 years, has also relinquished his position as chairman of the Colbert County Democratic Party. He has been replaced by Tuscumbia attorney Willie Hovater.
The indictment charges Underwood with "offering, conferring or agreeing to confer any pecuniary benefit upon a juror with the intent that the juror’s vote, opinion, decision or other action as a juror will thereby be corruptly influenced in Colbert County."
The civil case in question has not been to trial and is still pending, officials said.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence to a Colbert County grand jury after an investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Underwood is being represented by Hovater and Birmingham attorney Bill Baxley.
Cullman County Circuit Judge Martha E. Williams has been assigned to hear the case after local judges recused themselves. A date has not been set for the case to be heard.
Underwood has been out of jail on bail of $5,000 since his arrest.
Bribery of a juror is a Class C felony, which is punishable by 1-10 years in prison, if convicted.