HB598 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Youthful offenders, records and photographs of, access to by district attorneys and Attorney General, Secs. 12-15-133. 12-19-180, 15-19-7 am'd.

Summary

HB598 would let prosecutors and the Attorney General access confidential juvenile court records and youthful offender information anytime, and would require district attorneys to have no-cost, unlimited access to all court records.

What This Bill Does

It expands access to confidential juvenile court records for district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, the Attorney General, and their deputies, allowing access at all times. It also authorizes these prosecutors to view fingerprints, photographs, and other records of youths adjudged as youthful offenders at all times. It specifies that district attorneys may access all court records without limitation and at no cost. These changes would operate within existing confidentiality rules and federal law requirements.

Who It Affects

• District attorneys, assistant district attorneys, the Attorney General, and assistant/deputy attorneys general would gain statewide, continuous access to juvenile court records and youthful offender information.
• Youthful offenders and their families would experience increased access by prosecutors to the offenders' records, potentially reducing privacy protections.

Key Provisions

• Amends §12-15-133 to allow district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, the Attorney General, and assistant and deputy attorneys general to access confidential records, reports, and information in juvenile courts concerning children, at all times.
• Amends §15-19-7 to allow district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, the Attorney General, and assistant and deputy attorneys general to access fingerprints, photographs, and other records of a person adjudged a youthful offender contained in the court file at all times.
• Amends §12-19-180 to specify that district attorneys may access all court records at no cost and without limitation.
• Consolidates and clarifies statewide, ongoing access for the listed prosecutors to juvenile and court records, subject to applicable federal law and legitimate need.

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