Ala. Code § 45-49-80
The circuit judge assigned to the Department of Investigation and Recovery of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit may appoint a qualified person to serve as an administrative secretary in the department of investigation and recovery, provided that any such person employed under the terms of this section shall serve at the pleasure of the circuit judge and it shall be at the discretion of the circuit judge as to whether such administrative secretary shall be included in any civil service or merit system which may exist in Mobile County, provided that the salary of such secretary not be less than the salary paid for a comparable position under any such civil service or merit system. The salary shall be payable in equal monthly installments upon warrants drawn in the same manner prescribed for payment of compensation of county employees.
Ala. Code § 45-49-80 (1975)