(a) The sheriff may remove, discharge, or demote any merit employee who is directly under the sheriff, provided that within five days a report in writing of the action is made to the board, giving the reason for the removal, discharge, or demotion. The employee shall have 10 days within which to appeal to the board from the time of his or her notification of removal, discharge, or demotion. If an appeal is filed, the board shall thereupon order the charges or complaint to be filed forthwith in writing, if not already filed, and shall hold a hearing de novo on the charges. No merit employee shall be removed, discharged, or demoted except for some personal misconduct or fact rendering his or her further tenure harmful to the public interest, or for some cause affecting or concerning his or her fitness or ability. If the employee's removal, discharge, or demotion is appealed to the board, then the same will become final only upon affirmation by the board after a hearing where the employee has been given an opportunity to face his or her accusers and be heard in his or her own defense. Pending a hearing, the affected employee may be suspended and after the hearing the board may order the employee reinstated, demoted, removed, discharged, or suspended, or take any other disciplinary action as in their judgment is warranted by the evidence and under the law. In all cases, the decision of the board shall be reduced to writing and entered in the record of the case and shall include the board's findings of facts upon which its decision is based.

(b) The board may administer oaths, take depositions, certify official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of papers necessary as evidence in connection with any hearing, investigation, or proceeding within the purview of this subpart. The sheriff or some other law enforcement officer of the county shall serve all processes of the board. In the case a person refuses to obey a subpoena, the board may invoke the aid of the Circuit Court of Chilton County, to order that the testimony or evidence be produced. Upon proper showing, the court shall issue a subpoena or order requiring the person to appear before the board and produce all evidence and give all testimony relating to the matter in issue. A person who fails to obey a subpoena or order may be punished by the court for contempt. The fees of witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as fees for witnesses in the Circuit Court of Chilton County, and the fees shall be paid from the treasury or the county in a case involving an employee of the sheriff's department.

(c) In all proceedings before the board, the board may employ an attorney to appear before the board and prosecute all charges instituted by the sheriff when requested or directed to do so and to give any legal advice and legal assistance to the board as may be requested. The County Attorney of Chilton County or the attorney for the appointing authority that is removing, discharging, demoting, or firing the employee may serve in this capacity.

(d) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the board may appeal that decision to the Circuit Court of Chilton County within 30 days from the rendition of the decision by the board. Review by the circuit court shall be without a jury and be confined to the record and a determination of the questions of law presented. The board's findings of fact shall be final and conclusive.