Relating to self-defense, to amend Section 13A-3-23, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide a person's use of physical force in defending himself, herself, or another person is presumed reasonable; to further provide for the immunity received by a person whose use of physical force on another person is justified self-defense; to shift the burden of proving a person's use of physical force is not justified to the state; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style

HB 408 would change Alabama's self-defense law by creating a presumption that a person's use of physical force in defense is reasonable, directly affecting defendants in criminal cases claiming self-defense. It shifts the burden of proof: the state must now prove a defendant's force was unreasonable using "clear and convincing evidence," rather than the defendant proving it was reasonable. The bill also clarifies that justified self-defense immunity protects individuals from criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits, unless force was used against a law enforcement officer acting in their official duties. It makes minor technical updates to align the law with current legal writing style. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review.