HB645 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Hoover, pretrial diversion program, city authorized to establish, basic operating standards provided
Summary: HB645 authorizes the City of Hoover to create a discretionary pretrial diversion program for Hoover Municipal Court defendants, with defined rules, fees, and conditions.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, Hoover can establish a pretrial diversion program overseen by the city. The city may contract for services and hire staff to run the program. Admission is discretionary, with eligibility rules and exclusions (including CDL holders and certain offenses). Participants sign a written agreement, plead guilty, and must meet program conditions; successful completion can lead to dismissal or reduced charges and restitution, while failure results in traditional punishment and ongoing costs.

Who It Affects
Offenders charged in the City of Hoover's municipal court may apply to join the pretrial diversion program and, if admitted, must meet conditions with the possibility of charges being reduced or dismissed after completion.
Hoover's city prosecutor and Municipal Court staff oversee eligibility decisions, sign-and-commitment agreements, collect application fees, supervise program terms, and may terminate participation.
Victims may receive restitution and the offender's obligations to pay restitution and court costs are addressed in the program terms.
Individuals with a commercial driver license (CDL) are not eligible to participate in the program.

Key Provisions
Authorizes the City of Hoover to establish and supervise a discretionary pretrial diversion program for defendants in Hoover Municipal Court.
Defines terms such as offender, pretrial diversion, application fee, supervision fee, and related roles, and sets how fees are collected and used.
Establishes eligibility rules and ineligibility criteria, including restrictions on certain violent offenses, offenses involving violence against officers, DUI with serious injury, eluding, public officials, and CDL holders.
Gives the city prosecutor discretion to consider admission based on factors like public safety, likelihood of rehabilitation, and restitution needs, and allows waivers in special cases.
Requires a written agreement before entry that includes waivers (speedy and jury trials), a guilty plea, potential dismissal after completion, and conditions such as treatment, education, employment, restitution, and abstaining from drugs or alcohol.
Sets application fees and repayment terms: $1,000 for misdemeanors/DUI, $500 for non-DUI traffic, $300 for violations; fees can be waived or reduced for indigence, and most funds go to specified city funds.
Delays punishment: upon approval, the court retains jurisdiction and punishment is deferred until program completion; if terminated, standard punishment applies.
Authorizes program breach consequences (continuation, modification, or termination) and clarifies that the city and providers have limited liability for participant conduct.

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