On January 16, 1977, the functions of the position of county solicitor shall be performed by assistant district attorneys, and the office of county solicitor shall be abolished.
County solicitors serving terms to which they have been elected prior to January 16, 1977, may elect to become assistant district attorneys for the duration of their electoral terms without diminution of salary or expense payments.
Ala. Code § 12-12-9 (1975)