Section 6-5-273
Jurisdiction of courts.
An action for recovery of damages and penalties under this article may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction, including the small claims division of a district court in the county where the merchant is located, if the person or the parent or legal guardian of the unemancipated minor who committed the theft offense fails to make payment to the merchant of the amount specified in the demand within 30 days after the date of service of the written demand upon him or her, if the total damages do not exceed the jurisdictional limit of the small claims division.
(Acts 1993, No. 93-676, §4.)