SB449 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator
Democrat
Co-Sponsors: Cam Ward Del Marsh Clay Scofield Bryan Taylor
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Search warrants, criminal, issuance by Justice of Supreme Court, judge of Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals, authorized, Secs. 15-5-1 am'd.
Summary: SB449 would allow appellate judges to issue criminal search warrants in Alabama, expanding who can issue them.
What This Bill Does
SB449 amends Section 15-5-1 to add appellate judges — including Supreme Court justices and judges from the Court of Civil Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals — to the list of officials who may issue criminal search warrants, joining magistrates, municipal judges, district judges, and circuit judges. A search warrant remains an order in the state's name, signed by an authorized official and directed to the sheriff or county constable to search for and bring property before the issuing court. The bill changes who can issue warrants and becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the governor.

Who It Affects
Appellate judges such as the Supreme Court justice and Court of Civil Appeals / Court of Criminal Appeals judges would gain authority to issue criminal search warrants.
Law enforcement officers like sheriffs and county constables would carry out warrants issued by appellate judges, expanding who can authorize searches.

Key Provisions
Adds appellate judges to the list of officials who may issue criminal search warrants.
Maintains existing issuers such as magistrates, municipal judges, district judges, and circuit judges.
Defines a search warrant as an order in the state's name signed by a qualified official and directed to the sheriff or county constable.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after 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