Criminal Justice in Alabama

signed · Alabama · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 255: Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, filing of claims further provided for

HB 255 amends Alabama law to extend the deadline for crime victims to file compensation claims from one year to two years after an injury or death, with exceptions for "good cause." It maintains a 72-hour rule for reporting crimes to police before claims can be processed, also allowing exceptions for "good cause." The bill directly affects crime victims seeking financial assistance and the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, which administers these claims. Key provisions streamline filing deadlines while preserving existing safeguards against fraudulent claims or claims from victims who participated in the crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 41: Abuse and exploitation of an elder, effect of conviction on intestate succession, wills, joint assets, and other contractual obligations provided

SB 41 prevents convicted abusers of elders from benefiting financially from their victims. If someone is found guilty of elder abuse or financial exploitation of an elderly person, they lose the right to inherit under the victim's will, receive assets through intestate succession, or keep property held jointly with the victim. They also cannot collect benefits from life insurance policies, bonds, or other contracts where the victim was the beneficiary. The law applies to convictions for elder abuse/neglect or financial exploitation in the first or second degree, effective October 1, 2026. This directly affects individuals convicted of these crimes who would otherwise gain financially from the victim's estate or contracts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 257: Crimes and procedure; crime of authority figure sexual abuse, established; crimes of indecent exposure and other sex crimes further provided to include additional victims; crime of inpatient custodial sexual misconduct, established; domestic violence offenses, further provided to include additional victims and criminal penalties

HB 257 amends Alabama criminal law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual abuse, particularly children and vulnerable adults in custodial settings. It creates a new crime for sexual misconduct by staff in inpatient facilities (like hospitals), expands definitions of offenses like indecent exposure and directing children to engage in sexual acts to include younger victims, and adds voyeurism to the definition of "sex offense." Key changes include raising indecent exposure involving children under 12 to a felony, requiring mandatory reporting for certain offenses with stricter timelines, and allowing child statements to be used more readily in court. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare facilities, and individuals accused of sexual crimes against minors or vulnerable adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 108: Civil procedure; statute of limitations for civil actions involving certain sex offenses, further provided for

HB 108 extends the time limit for victims to file civil lawsuits against the actual perpetrator of certain sex offenses. Currently, victims with disabilities (like minors) have six years after their disability ends to sue; this bill adds that victims can instead file within 20 years after disability ends or two years after the perpetrator’s criminal conviction, whichever is later. It also pauses the clock during ongoing criminal cases. The bill directly affects victims of sex offenses who were minors or had disabilities at the time of the offense, specifically when suing the alleged perpetrator. This change applies only to civil actions against the perpetrator, not other parties like employers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

passed · Alabama · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 60: Criminal procedure; Department of Corrections, outstanding warrant check procedures on inmates, provided; virtual hearings on inmates, required under certain conditions

SB 60 requires Alabama's Department of Corrections (DOC) to check for active arrest warrants against inmates at key stages: during intake, when considering work release, before parole board review, and 90 days before sentence completion. It also mandates the Board of Pardons and Paroles to check warrants when reviewing parole eligibility. If a warrant is found, the DOC must notify courts or prosecutors and arrange virtual court hearings for inmates (avoiding physical transport), per existing law. The bill directly affects inmates, DOC staff, parole boards, and law enforcement agencies. It becomes effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

signed · Alabama · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 132: Crimes and offenses; assault in the second degree, revised

HB 132 revises Alabama's assault in the second degree law to expand protections for specific professionals during work. It adds new circumstances where assaulting peace officers (including off-duty officers in approved uniform), teachers, healthcare workers (including home health care providers), social workers, letter carriers, or children in schools during their duties constitutes second-degree assault. The bill specifies that these protections apply when the assault occurs while the victim is performing their job, with exceptions for assaults by impaired patients on healthcare workers. Assault in the second degree remains classified as a Class C felony under this revision.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 261: Expungement; automatic order of expungement, required under certain conditions

HB 261 automatically expunges criminal records for individuals acquitted or having charges dismissed (with prejudice, no-bill by grand jury, or nolle prossed without conditions) without requiring a court petition. It applies to felony, misdemeanor, traffic, boating, or municipal violation cases where no new charges are filed within 14 days. The bill eliminates associated fees and ensures expunged records remain accessible only for related civil legal matters, with redaction after resolution. This changes current law by removing the need for defendants to file petitions, streamlining record clearance for those cleared of charges. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 43: Child sexual abuse; Legislature authorized to revive certain time-barred civil claims, constitutional amendment

SB 43 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Alabama's Legislature to revive civil claims related to child sexual abuse that were previously barred by time limits. It would enable the creation of procedures for survivors to pursue lawsuits even if filed after standard statute of limitations periods, including retroactive application to claims barred before, on, or after January 1, 2027. The amendment explicitly excludes claims already resolved through final judgments or signed settlements. It defines "child sexual abuse" as conduct directed at individuals under 19 that would be punishable under Alabama's criminal laws. This is a procedural constitutional change currently pending committee review in the Alabama Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 52: Criminal and civil procedure; continuance of case when party, attorney, or witness is on active military duty, bail required to be set in such cases subject to conditions

This bill requires Alabama courts to automatically continue both criminal and civil cases when a party, their lead attorney, or a key witness is on active military duty. In criminal cases, courts must set bail for defendants when a continuance is granted due to military absence (except for violent offenses or capital charges). The bill also mandates that courts only proceed with a case if the absent party or attorney announces readiness for trial, and it requires the Alabama Supreme Court to update its rules to align with these changes. The law applies to all cases involving active-duty military members and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts

passed · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 228: Pretrial detention hearings; procedure revised

HB 228 revises Alabama's pretrial detention process for defendants charged with serious crimes like murder, rape, terrorism, or domestic violence. It requires courts to hold a detention hearing within 10 days of arrest (reducing the prior 45-day window), mandates written justifications for denying bail within 48 hours, and ensures defendants can present evidence and have counsel. The bill specifically applies to cases involving offenses listed in Section 15-13-3(c), including violent crimes and human trafficking. These changes streamline detention decisions while preserving due process rights during hearings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

All criminal justice bills