HB512 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Oliver RobinsonMary MooreAllen TreadawayTerri CollinsPaul BeckmanJuandalynn Givan

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Domestic violence in the first, second, and third degrees, additional crimes added to definitions of, subsequent convictions of domestic violence in the third degree, penalties increased, crimes of interference with a domestic violence emergency call and domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation, provided for, no court costs to any victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault in connection with the prosecution or warrant recall Secs. 13A-6-130, 13A-6-131, 13A-6-132, 13A-6-133, 13A-6-134 am'd.

Summary

HB512 strengthens Alabama’s domestic violence laws by expanding DV degrees, adding new crimes, increasing penalties, and waiving court costs for victims.

What This Bill Does

It updates the definitions and penalties for domestic violence in the first, second, and third degrees. It creates two new crimes: interference with a domestic violence emergency call and domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation, both tied to a qualified relationship and punished as Class B offenses. It also requires no court costs for DV, stalking, or sexual assault victims in prosecutions or warrant recalls, and directs law enforcement to identify the primary aggressor when there are conflicting DV complaints.

Who It Affects

• Victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, who will pay no court costs and may gain from stronger protections and remedies.
• Offenders and potential defendants, who face new crimes and higher or new penalties, plus law enforcement and prosecutors who must apply aggressor determinations and new procedures.

Key Provisions

• Amendments to sections 13A-6-130 through 13A-6-134 redefine domestic violence in the first, second, and third degrees and set minimum sentences, including harsher terms for repeat offenses.
• New crimes: interference with a domestic violence emergency call (Class B misdemeanor) and domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation (Class B felony) for individuals with a qualified relationship to the victim.
• First degree DV: Class A felony with a minimum term of imprisonment (one year for second/subsequent convictions); minimum term doubles if a protected order is willfully violated during the offense.
• Second degree DV: Class B felony with a minimum term of imprisonment (six months); minimum term doubles if a protected order is willfully violated during the offense.
• Third degree DV: Class A misdemeanor with a 48-hour minimum term; if a protected order is violated, minimum term doubles (to about 30 days); a second conviction is a Class A misdemeanor; a third or subsequent conviction is a Class C felony.
• Domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation requires a 'qualified relationship' and is a Class B felony.
• Law enforcement must separately evaluate multiple DV complaints to identify the primary aggressor, using specified factors (injury severity, prior DV, likelihood of future injury, self-defense, etc.) and must not threaten arrest of all parties to discourage intervention.
• There shall be no court costs assessed against DV, stalking, or sexual assault victims in connection with prosecution or warrant recall.
• The act excludes compliance issues under Amendment 621 due to creating a new crime or amending an existing crime.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses