SB200 Summary

• Grants the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals exclusive appellate jurisdiction over capital murder convictions resulting in death sentences, removing the discretionary review role of the Alabama Supreme Court.

• Requires death penalty appeals to have priority over all other cases and be expedited to the extent practicable by the Court of Criminal Appeals.

• Mandates the Court of Criminal Appeals to review death sentences for errors in proceedings, accuracy of aggravating and mitigating circumstances findings, and whether death was the proper sentence in the case.

• Makes nonsubstantive technical revisions to update code language in sections governing capital murder indictments, verdict forms, jury instructions, execution warrants, and methods of execution.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.