HB541 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Marcel Black

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Misdemeanor non-traffic violations, issuance of electronic uniform non-traffic citation and complaint (eUNTCC), summons and complaint process or notice to appear in court

Summary

HB541 would create an electronic ticket system (eUNTCC) for misdemeanor non-traffic offenses, allowing police to issue electronic citations and require court appearances.

What This Bill Does

It allows officers to issue an electronic Uniform Non-Traffic Citation and Complaint (eUNTCC) at the scene for offenses listed in Rule 20 Appendix B and transmit it to the court. The eUNTCC can start the summons and complaint process and may be processed by the court like other written tickets. People who are arrested would have a right to a hearing within hours before a magistrate, and a bond process would let them be released; if an eUNTCC is used, a hearing within 24 hours is available. There are exceptions for accidents with injuries or death, DUI, or felonies, and failing to appear after bond would be a misdemeanor, with conflicting laws repealed and the act taking effect after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Arrestees charged with misdemeanor non-traffic offenses listed in Rule 20 Appendix B, who would receive an eUNTCC and may be required to appear in court with a bond and potentially a quick hearing.
• Law enforcement officers and the courts/magistrates, who would issue eUNTCCs, collect identifying information, manage bonds, and process electronic tickets and hearings.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the electronic Uniform Non-Traffic Citation and Complaint (eUNTCC) as an alternative to traditional tickets for offenses listed in Rule 20 Appendix B and allows electronic transmission to the court.
• Requires officers to collect the arrested person's name, address, and license/ID number and to issue a summons or notice to appear.
• Permits the eUNTCC to initiate the summons and complaint process under the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure in a printed form processed by the court like other tickets.
• Guarantees the right to a hearing within hours before a magistrate; allows a bond to be posted; if an eUNTCC is used, a hearing within 24 hours.
• If the written eUNTCC is offered and accepted, the person is deemed to have posted bond to appear; refusal to accept the copy results in immediate appearance before a magistrate.
• Willful failure to timely appear after bond is a misdemeanor.
• Excludes certain cases from the eUNTCC process (accidents with injury or death, DUI, and felonies).
• Officer misconduct in violating the section is subject to removal from office.
• Repeals laws that conflict with this act.
• Effective date: begins on the first day of the first month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses