HB694 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Artis McCampbellRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Darrio MeltonBerry ForteNapoleon BracyLawrence McAdoryRod ScottJohn W. RogersMike HillMerika ColemanMary MooreJames E. BuskeyYvonne KennedyOliver RobinsonChris EnglandThad McClammyPebblin W. WarrenBarbara Bigsby BoydDexter Grimsley

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Self Defense, person who actively pursues an aggressor after the initial confrontation is not justified in using physical force in self defense or in defense of another, Sec.13A-3-23 am'd

Summary

HB694 would limit self-defense claims by stating that pursuing someone in a public place and then causing a confrontation would make the use of force unjustified.

What This Bill Does

It narrows when self-defense can justify the use of force if the pursuer started chasing someone in public and that pursuit led to a confrontation. It also preserves a system where deadly force can be legally justified in certain situations when the defender reasonably believes the other person is about to use or is using unlawful force or is committing serious crimes, with specific conditions and exceptions. The bill outlines a stand-your-ground right in places you have the right to be, grants immunity from criminal or civil action for justified force, and sets how law enforcement may handle investigations, while noting the bill is exempt from a local-funds expenditure rule and becomes effective after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• People who might pursue someone in public places and could lose a self-defense claim if that pursuit results in a confrontation and force is used.
• People defending themselves or others in dwellings, residences, or occupied vehicles (where they have a legal right to be) who may rely on stand-your-ground rights and deadly force presumptions under certain threats.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-3-23 to make initial pursuit in public leading to confrontation a factor that would render use of force not justified in self-defense.
• Adds a detailed framework where deadly force may be presumed justified in self-defense or defense of another under specific threats (e.g., unlawful deadly force, burglary, kidnapping, robbery, or unlawful entry/removal in certain contexts), with defined exceptions, immunities from prosecution or civil action for justified force, and stand-your-ground rights in places the user has a right to be.

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