SB13 Summary

• Amends Section 11-45-9.1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to allow municipalities to authorize law enforcement officers to issue summons and complaints instead of making custodial arrests for certain offenses.

• Establishes exceptions where summons and complaints cannot be used, including crimes involving violence, domestic violence, alcohol or drug use posing public safety risk, crimes with minor victims, DUI violations, and crimes requiring victim restitution.

• Requires municipalities to adopt a fine schedule for first, second, and subsequent offenders, posted in the court clerk's office and police department before implementing the summons procedure.

• Specifies that defendants can elect to plead guilty and pay fines or deposit bail and request a trial; failing to appear as required constitutes a separate misdemeanor offense.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval, and is exempt from Amendment 621 local funding restrictions as it defines or amends criminal offense definitions.