AL HB305

Removes the prohibition on courts ordering, drawing, or summoning a special venire (jury pool) for capital felony trials in Alabama

Establishes mandatory voir dire procedures requiring courts to administer an oath to prospective jurors, permit parties to conduct reasonable examination, and excuse jurors for cause when they cannot render a fair verdict

Authorizes courts to retain alternate jurors after the jury retires to deliberate, rather than requiring immediate discharge; if an alternate replaces a juror mid-deliberation, the jury must restart deliberations

Sets minimum strike list requirements: 36 names for capital felonies, 24 for non-capital felonies, and 18 for misdemeanors or violations

Effective date: October 1, 2026