Criminal Justice (Judges)

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.

HB 154 would allow Alabama law enforcement to arrest someone without a warrant if they are charged in another state with any felony, including crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. It also permits out-of-state officers to arrest individuals in Alabama during a "fresh pursuit" of a felony suspect - meaning they are chasing the suspect without unreasonable delay after the crime. After such an arrest, the person must be brought before a judge promptly to review the arrest's legality. If the judge finds the arrest lawful, the person may be held for extradition or released on bail; if unlawful, they must be freed.

SB 25, or Jolee's Law, prohibits Alabama judges from granting youthful offender status to individuals aged 16 or older charged with capital murder or murder. This directly affects young adults facing these serious charges, requiring them to be tried as adults rather than as youthful offenders under current law. The bill amends existing statute to remove this option for initial charges of capital murder or murder, though eligibility for youthful offender status may still apply if the charge is reduced to a lesser offense. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.

HB 11, titled "Jolee's Law," prohibits judges from granting youthful offender status to individuals aged 16 or older charged with capital murder (per Section 13A-5-40) or murder (per Section 13A-6-2(a)(1)). It directly affects defendants in these specific homicide cases, requiring them to be charged, arrested, and tried as adults rather than as youthful offenders. The bill amends Alabama law to block youthful offender status in these cases, though defendants may qualify if charges are later reduced to lesser offenses. It also adds victim notification requirements (10 days prior to hearings) and mandates courts to consider victim injury evidence before ruling on youthful offender status. The bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee as of January 2026.