Jefferson County has petitioned the Alabama Supreme Court to void a Circuit Court order keeping the county from cutting the sheriff department's budget.

Commission President Bettye Fine Collins says additional layoffs would be needed if the sheriff's budget is not cut.

In Thursday's filing, lawyers say Judge Dan King lacks the jurisdiction to temporarily stop the county from reducing the sheriff's budget by $5.1 million as part of across the board countywide budget cuts.

The Bessemer-based judge has stopped the county for 10 business days from cutting the sheriff's budget. A preliminary injunction hearing has been set for July 13, but the county is asking for an expedited hearing

Sheriff Mike Hale his office and public safety would be devastated by the 33 percent reduction ordered by the commission.