SB222 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Death penalty, persons under certain age exempt

Summary

SB222 would ban the death penalty for anyone who committed a capital offense while under 18.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill would prohibit the death penalty for defendants who were younger than 18 at the time they committed a capital offense. It explicitly states that, despite other laws, no death sentence can be imposed on those individuals. The bill also defines who counts as a minor (under 18) and sets an immediate effective date once passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Criminal defendants who were under 18 at the time of the capital offense: death penalty cannot be imposed.
• Alabama courts and prosecutors: must apply the exemption and refrain from seeking or imposing the death penalty in cases involving defendants who were minors at the time of the offense.

Key Provisions

• Death penalty shall not be imposed on any person who was a minor at the time of the capital offense (Section 2).
• Definition of minor as a person under 18, with related age-based prohibitions listed to illustrate who is protected (Section 1).
• The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and the Governor's approval (Section 3).

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