For any violation by any bar pilot of any of the provisions of this chapter, or any of the rules established by the commission under the authority conferred upon the commission by this chapter, or under any authority which may be hereafter conferred upon the commission, the commission may suspend or revoke the license or branch of a bar pilot so violating the law or rules of the commission. The secretary of the commission shall notify the bar pilot in writing of the specific charge preferred against him or her, specifying with reasonable certainty the law or rule or regulation violated, the manner in which the same was violated, and the time and place of the offense, and, by direction of the commission, shall fix the time for hearing of the charges not less than five nor more than 30 days from the date of the notice. At the time and place set forth in the notice, the bar pilot may appear in person or by counsel, and the commission shall hear and determine the charges. The commission may subpoena witnesses; the subpoenas shall be served under the seal of the commission and attested by the signature of the secretary; and the subpoenas shall be served by the sheriff, according to the residence of the witnesses. The fees of the sheriff for serving the subpoenas shall be paid out of the funds of the commission.
Ala. Code § 33-4A-27 (1975)