HB 272 Summary

• Amends Section 13A-3-23 of Alabama Code to add the "Trayvon Martin exception," prohibiting a person from using physical or deadly force if they initially pursued another person engaged in lawful activity in a public place and the pursuit resulted in confrontation and use of force.

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

• Requires courts to conduct pretrial hearings upon defendant's motion to determine whether force used was justified, with the defendant bearing the burden of proving immunity by preponderance of evidence.

• Allows defendants who do not meet the immunity burden at pretrial hearing to continue pursuing self-defense or defense of another person at trial, with the state bearing the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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