SB202 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Roger Bedford, Jr.
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Criminal charges or convictions for certain felony or misdemeanor offenses, petition for expungement of records authorized under certain conditions, procedures
Summary: SB202 lets people who were charged or convicted of certain offenses petition to erase their records (expunge) under specific conditions, with a set filing fee and a process to destroy records if granted.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes expungement requests for misdemeanors and felonies, as well as violations and traffic offenses, when outcomes include dismissal, no bill, not guilty, or other qualifying dispositions. It sets different eligibility conditions for misdemeanors (two-year lookback) and felonies (five-year lookback and/or program-based dismissals). It requires a $300 filing fee and outlines how the money is distributed, with options for indigent applicants to request hardship relief. If the court grants the petition, all related records must be destroyed and agencies must certify completion; after expungement, the case is treated as if it never occurred and the person generally need not disclose the expunged matter on applications.

Who It Affects
People charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, violation, or traffic violation who meet the specified expungement conditions (e.g., dismissal, not guilty, or qualifying dispositions).
State and local government agencies and offices (courts, district attorneys, circuit clerks, Department of Public Safety, and other agencies) that must destroy expunged records and handle related certifications and administrative steps.

Key Provisions
Authorizes a petition to expunge records for certain misdemeanor and felony offenses, violations, or traffic violations when the charge is dismissed with prejudice, no billed by a grand jury, found not guilty, or other qualifying outcomes.
For misdemeanors, expungement eligibility includes dismissal without prejudice with no refiling and no new conviction within the prior two years; for felonies, eligibility includes dismissal with prejudice, no bill, not guilty, dismissal after certain program completions, or dismissal without prejudice with no new conviction within the prior five years.
A $300 administrative filing fee is required, with specified distributions to multiple funds and offices (Fair Trial Fund, State General Fund, DA's office, circuit clerk, Crime Victim's Compensation Commission, DPS, Administrative Office of Courts).
Indigent applicants may seek hardship status and funding plans to pay the fee over time.
Courts can grant petitions on the merits without a hearing and may limit how many cases are expunged after the first.
If granted, all court and other agency records are destroyed; agencies must certify completion within set timelines, and after expungement the matter is treated as never having occurred and the person need not disclose it on certain applications.
Definitions include arrest records, photos, index references, and related data; law enforcement or other agencies may still maintain investigative files.
The act is exempt from Amendment 621 local expenditure rules because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is approved.

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