SB60 Summary

• Expands mandatory bail denial beyond capital offenses to include ten additional serious felonies: murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, sexual torture, first-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree human trafficking.

• Maintains existing law that defendants in all other cases are entitled to bail as a matter of right before conviction.

• Provides that defendants in cases where bail is denied may become eligible for bail as a matter of right if the state continues the case twice without consent for absent witnesses.

• Makes technical and stylistic revisions to update Alabama Code Sections 15-13-2 and 15-13-3 to current language standards.

• Becomes effective immediately upon ratification of a constitutional amendment entitling individuals to reasonable bail prior to conviction unless charged with crimes enumerated by the Legislature.