By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Those convicted of violating any state firearms statute, failing to appear for court or failing to comply with court orders will face up to a $500 fine and between three-six months of imprisonment or hard labor, according to new guidelines approved by the Alabaster City Council.

During its Jan. 6 meeting, the Alabaster City Council approved an ordinance amending the city’s code of ordinances. As a result of the amendments, the city added offenses for failure to comply with Municipal Court orders and for failing to appear in court.

According to the ordinance passed by the council, “violations of municipal court orders and failure of persons to appear for municipal court have become more numerous in recent years.”

According to the ordinance, those found guilty of failing to appear for court or failing to comply with court orders can be fined up to $500, and can be sentenced to up to six months of imprisonment or hard labor per offense.

The amendments also laid out punishments for those found guilty of violating any state firearms statute. Those found guilty of violating such statutes will face up to a $500 fine or up to three months of imprisonment or hard labor, according to the ordinance.