SB175 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Cockfighting, penalties increased, presence at cockfights, penalties, confiscation procedures, fines, terms defined, reporting procedures, Secs. 13A-12-4.1, 13A-12-4.2 added; Sec. 13A-12-4 am'd.
Summary: SB175 overhauls Alabama's cockfighting laws with new offenses, stiffer penalties, and stronger seizure and registration rules.
What This Bill Does
It creates new criminal offenses related to cockfighting, with first convictions for these acts as Class A misdemeanors and second or subsequent convictions as Class C felonies. It also makes it a Class C felony (first) and Class B felony (second+) to permit or cause a minor to participate in cockfighting. It adds a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly being present at cockfights under certain conditions and requires people who regularly keep cocks to register their locations with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disease control. The bill establishes confiscation and forfeiture rules for fighting cocks, outlines fines ($10,000 for Class A misdemeanor and $20,000 for Class C felony), and details how seized profits and related property are handled, including reporting and destruction procedures.

Who It Affects
Cockfighting participants, organizers, and supporters (trainers, owners, operators, advertisers, ticket sellers, and others who facilitate or profit from cockfighting) would face new criminal charges and potential fines and prison time, plus forfeiture of profits and related property.
Minors and spectators connected to cockfighting operations would face higher penalties for involvement or presence, including felonies for permitting a minor to participate and a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly being present at cockfighting activities; regular cock keepers must register cocks and state agencies handle seizure and destruction processes.

Key Provisions
Expanded offenses and penalties for cockfighting-related acts: first conviction is a Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent conviction for the same acts is a Class C felony.
Penalties for permitting or causing a minor to participate: first conviction is a Class C felony; second or subsequent conviction is a Class B felony.
Be present at cockfights as a spectator under defined conditions: Class A misdemeanor.
Registration, confiscation, and forfeiture: requires regular cock keepers to register cock locations; establishes confiscation procedures and fines ($10,000 for Class A misdemeanor, $20,000 for Class C felony) with forfeiture of profits and property linked to cockfighting and outlines reporting, condemnation, and destruction processes.

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