SB417 Summary

• Authorizes the City of Hoover to establish a discretionary pretrial diversion program for defendants in municipal court, with the program under direct city supervision and control.

• Requires written agreements between the city prosecutor and offenders that include waivers of speedy trial and jury trial rights, guilty pleas, tolling of statute of limitations, and specific program conditions such as substance abuse treatment, education, employment, counseling, and restitution.

• Sets application fees of $1,000 for misdemeanors and DUI, $500 for traffic offenses, and $300 for violations, with 80% disbursed to the Correction Fund and 20% to the Municipal Court Judicial Administrative Fund; fees may be waived or reduced for indigent offenders.

• Prohibits admission of offenders deemed threats to community safety, those charged with crimes involving violence against law enforcement, weapon use, child victims, or serious DUI injuries, and those holding commercial driver licenses, unless victims provide written consent.

• Allows the city prosecutor to continue the agreement with modifications, terminate offenders for violations, or require new agreements; upon successful completion, charges may be dismissed; upon termination, the court imposes punishment without being bound by prior agreement terms.