Juries; special venire in capital felony cases allowed, voire dire procedures and alternate juror procedures further provided for, procedures when there are not enough qualified jurors present established

HB 305 allows Alabama courts to use a special jury pool (a separate group of potential jurors) in capital felony trials, which was previously prohibited. The bill requires courts to follow specific steps during jury selection, including administering an oath to potential jurors, ensuring both the prosecution and defense can question them, and removing jurors for cause based on motion. It also permits courts to retain alternate jurors after the main jury begins deliberating and establishes clear procedures for when there aren’t enough qualified jurors present to form a jury. These changes apply directly to courts handling capital felony cases in Alabama.