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AL HB235

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/14/2017

Primary Sponsor

Merika Coleman-Evans

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

Regular Session 2017

AI Summary

HB235 Summary

  • Amends Alabama Code Section 13A-3-23 to prohibit justification for using physical force if a person initially pursues another person engaged in lawful activity in a public place and the pursuit results in confrontation and use of force, including deadly force.

  • Designates this prohibition as the "Trayvon Martin exception" to Alabama's self-defense laws.

  • Provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for innocent bystanders who use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves from injury during a confrontation between other persons.

  • Requires courts to conduct pretrial hearings to determine if force used was justified under the statute, with defendants bearing burden of proving immunity by preponderance of evidence.

  • Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.

Legislative Description

Self Defense, person who actively pursues an aggressor after the initial confrontation is not justified in using physical force in self defense or in defense of another, Trayvon Martin Act, Sec.13A-3-23 am'd.

Crimes and Offenses

Last Action

Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary

2/14/2017

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/14/2017

Full Bill Text

No bill text available