HB648 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Jones
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Pretrial diversion programs, municipalities authorized to establish
Summary: HB648 lets municipalities create discretionary pretrial diversion programs with basic rules for admission, operation, and case outcomes.
What This Bill Does
Cities can establish or abolish a pretrial diversion program and may charge administrative fees. A presiding municipal judge oversees the program, can contract services, and sets rules with the municipal prosecutor. Offenders charged in municipalities with such programs may apply; if admitted, they plead guilty and the case is paused until completing the program, with dismissal upon success or a sentence imposed if they fail to finish.

Who It Affects
Municipalities and their officials (governing bodies, judges, prosecutors) who establish, supervise, and fund the program.
Individuals charged with municipal offenses in municipalities that establish a pretrial diversion program, who may apply and whose case outcomes depend on completion of the program.

Key Provisions
A municipality may establish or abolish a pretrial diversion program and may set up and collect fees for its administration.
The program is supervised by the presiding municipal judge, who may contract with agencies or providers with approval from the municipal governing body and prosecutor, and the judge sets implementation rules.
A person charged in a municipality with an established program may apply for admittance; admission is based on the prosecutor's recommendation and the judge's decision.
Upon admittance, the defendant must plead guilty and the case is placed on an administrative docket; sentencing is deferred until program completion or termination.
If the offender completes the program, the case is dismissed; if they do not complete it satisfactorily, the case is dismissed and an appropriate sentence is imposed as for a guilty plea.
Commercial driver license holders are not eligible for the program.
The municipality and its officials have liability protections for actions related to the program, with possible waivers of liability required for participation.
If a municipality already had a similar program under local law, it may choose to operate under this act or continue under local law.

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