Criminal Justice

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 309: Crimes and offenses; unlawful possession with intent to distribute fentanyl further provided for, trafficking in illegal drugs containing fentanyl further provided for

SB 309 lowers the quantity thresholds for felony charges related to fentanyl possession and trafficking in Alabama. It reduces the amount triggering "unlawful possession with intent to distribute" from 2-4 grams to 0.5-1 gram or 2-4 grams of fentanyl mixtures. The bill also expands "trafficking in illegal drugs" to include possession of certain fentanyl mixtures (previously limited to 1 gram of pure fentanyl). This change directly affects individuals possessing these lower amounts of fentanyl-containing substances, increasing the likelihood of felony charges for smaller quantities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by lowering felony thresholds for fentanyl possession, increasing mandatory charges without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 458: Crimes and offenses; obscene material, possession with intent to distribute amended

HB 458 amends Alabama law to clarify that possessing at least 50 physical items or digital files of legally defined obscene material constitutes "knowingly possessing with intent to distribute." This directly affects individuals and businesses distributing such material, including those operating in commercial contexts like retail or production. The key change sets a specific threshold (50 items/files) for triggering criminal penalties, which previously lacked this clear definition. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors (up to $10,000 fine or 1 year in jail) for first offenses, escalating to Class C felonies for repeat violations. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing a specific threshold (50 items/files) for criminal penalties on obscene material possession, increasing enforcement scope without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 429: Crimes and offenses; unmanned aircraft systems, operation near ticketed entertainment events prohibited

HB 429 prohibits operating drones (unmanned aircraft systems) near ticketed entertainment events, including middle and high school sports events. The bill creates a new criminal offense for violating this ban, directly affecting drone operators who fly near such venues. Key provisions expand the existing prohibition to explicitly cover school athletic events, which were previously excluded. The bill is currently pending committee review in the House of Origin and has not yet become law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for drone operations near events, expanding criminalization without reform focus; directly adds to criminal law per bill's 'new criminal offense' language.90% confidence

passed · Alabama · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 105: Crimes and offenses; enticing a child for immoral purposes and electronic solicitation of a child, amended

HB 105 updates Alabama laws against child enticement and electronic solicitation. It expands the definition of "enticing" to include "grooming" (building emotional connections through manipulation, gift-giving, or online interactions) when targeting children under 16 for sexual acts, genital mutilation, or assault. The bill also broadens electronic solicitation to cover attempts to direct children into sexual acts or genital mutilation via digital means, and clarifies jurisdiction for such crimes to include any county where images were received or parties resided. These changes apply to individuals who target children under 16 or those believed to be that age.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by broadening definitions of child enticement/grooming and electronic solicitation, increasing legal restrictions on offenses.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Alabama · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 70: Crimes and offenses; sex offenses involving a child; crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, further provided for

SB 70 expands Alabama's law against transmitting obscene material to children by making it illegal to send such material to someone the sender *believes* is a child, not just to actual minors. The bill specifically targets online content depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or extreme sexual acts, whether real or simulated. It maintains the offense as a Class B felony, requiring adult trials with no option for record sealing or expungement. This change directly affects individuals who send inappropriate material online while mistakenly believing the recipient is underage, broadening the scope of the existing law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by lowering threshold to 'believes child' and maintains strict felony penalties without record sealing, increasing criminal liability.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts using technology (computer transmission) to send obscene material to minors, imposing criminal penalties for specific online content distribution.95% confidence

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signed · Alabama · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 114: Criminal procedure; out-of-state warrants, arrest authorized for crime punishable by more than one year, arrest by out-of-state officers authorized

SB 114 expands Alabama's warrantless arrest authority to include any felony charge from another state (previously limited to death or life imprisonment cases), affecting individuals charged with serious crimes in other states. It also allows out-of-state law enforcement officers to arrest suspects during "fresh pursuit" after fleeing across state lines while chasing someone suspected of committing a felony in their home state. The bill requires arrested individuals to be promptly presented to a judge for a hearing to verify the arrest's legality, with outcomes including detention for extradition or release if unlawful.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands warrantless arrests for out-of-state felonies and fresh pursuit arrests, increasing enforcement powers while reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement

passed · Alabama · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 106: Crimes and offenses; to further provide for the crime of doxing; to further provide for penalties

This bill updates Alabama's doxing law by making it a crime to intentionally share someone's personal information (like home addresses or photos of their children) online with the intent that others use it to harass or harm them, even if no actual harm occurs. It increases penalties for repeat offenses and specifically targets doxing directed at law enforcement officers, firefighters, or public servants, with higher penalties when these individuals are harmed or impeded in their duties. The law explicitly excludes protected political speech and publishing public officials' contact information for lobbying purposes. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense to a Class B felony for repeat offenses targeting public servants.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new penalties for doxing, increasing legal consequences for online harassment targeting public servants, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes doxing by protecting personal data from unauthorized online sharing, directly strengthening data privacy safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

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passed · Alabama · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 188: Crimes and offenses; making a terrorist threat in the second degree, elements revised, criminal penalties further provided for

HB 188 revises Alabama's criminal code for "making a terrorist threat" by clarifying the definition of a threat and adjusting penalties. It specifies that a second-degree threat occurs when someone credibly threatens violence or property damage using weapons (including firearms or explosives), with the threat causing fear or harm. The bill increases penalties for repeat offenses: a second violation becomes a Class D felony (previously a misdemeanor), while first offenses remain Class A misdemeanors. This directly affects individuals making threats against people, schools, religious properties, or public officials, as defined by the revised legal standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat terrorist threats, elevating second offense to felony; aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

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passed · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 243: Crimes and offenses; manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and other motor vehicle crimes amended, restitution amended

HB 243, the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Holt Safe Streets Act, amends Alabama law to increase penalties for causing death through traffic violations and drug-related incidents. It raises the penalty for causing death by driving in violation of specific traffic laws (Sections 32-5A-191 or 32-5A-191.3) from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and creates a new offense for knowingly selling fentanyl-containing drugs that cause death (excluding licensed medical professionals). The bill also clarifies that victims of traffic-related crimes under Sections 32-10-1 through 32-10-5 are eligible for restitution. These changes directly affect drivers in fatal traffic accidents, drug sellers, and crime victims seeking restitution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRaises penalties for traffic/drug-related deaths to felony, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Alabama · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 348: Bail; pretrial hearing for illegal aliens charged with violent offenses, required; presumption of flight risk, established

HB 348 requires that individuals in Alabama who are undocumented (defined as "illegal aliens" under state law) and charged with violent offenses be held in custody without bail until a court conducts a pretrial hearing. At this hearing, the court must deny bail if no amount would reasonably ensure the defendant’s court appearance or protect public safety, and the bill establishes a legal presumption that undocumented immigrants are inherently likely to flee, which courts must give significant weight. The court must consider factors like the crime’s severity, community danger, and the defendant’s background, but the presumption of flight risk based solely on immigration status is a key factor. This law applies to all undocumented individuals charged with violent offenses as defined by Alabama law and takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies bail for undocumented immigrants charged with violence, establishing flight risk presumption, restricting defendant rights and expanding pretrial detention.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationDenies bail for undocumented immigrants charged with violent offenses, establishing presumption of flight risk - restricts legal protections and increases enforcement against immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Enforcement

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