SB148 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Criminal surveillance, enhanced criminal penalties for surveillance for purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, crime of aggravated criminal surveillance created
Summary: SB148 creates the crime of aggravated criminal surveillance, making it illegal to secretly observe someone in a private place for sexual gratification and setting related penalties and an effective date.
What This Bill Does
The bill defines aggravated criminal surveillance as intentionally watching or monitoring a person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without consent, for sexual gratification. It assigns a Class A misdemeanor by default, rising to a Class C felony if there is a prior conviction under this section. It includes municipal court convictions in the prior-conviction calculation. It also states the bill is not subject to local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates or amends a crime, and it becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Individuals who intentionally surveil someone in private places for sexual gratification, who could face a Class A misdemeanor or Class C felony depending on prior offenses.
People observed in private places (the targets) who are protected from this type of surveillance, and individuals whose prior related convictions affect penalties.

Key Provisions
Defines aggravated criminal surveillance as intentional surveillance of an individual in a place with a reasonable expectation of privacy, without consent, for sexual gratification.
Penalties: Class A misdemeanor normally; Class C felony if the offender has a prior conviction or adjudication under this section.
Prior convictions include municipal court convictions when determining offense status.
Excludes the bill from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved by the Governor.

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