SB244 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code sections 13A-5-45, 13A-5-46, and 13A-5-47 to prohibit courts from overriding jury verdicts in capital cases.

• Changes jury verdicts from "advisory" to binding verdicts that courts must follow when determining sentences of death or life imprisonment without parole.

• Requires courts to sentence defendants to death when a jury returns a death verdict and to life imprisonment without parole when the jury does not recommend death.

• Maintains jury recommendation consideration requirements, including majority vote for life sentences and 10-juror minimum for death recommendations.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and gubernatorial approval.