HB52 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bob FincherRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Law enforcement officer, eluding, enhanced felony penalty for serious physical injury or death to the pursuing officer, Sec. 13A-10-52 am'd.

Summary

HB52 would add an enhanced felony penalty for eluding a pursuing officer when the pursuit results in death or serious injury to the officer or serious injuries to bystanders, third parties, or the officer, and would require driver’s license suspension in these cases.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the eluding statute to create an enhanced felony penalty for certain pursuit outcomes, including death or serious physical injury to a pursuing officer and serious physical injuries to bystanders, third parties, or the officer. It maintains the existing Class A misdemeanor for eluding unless injury occurs, but adds the enhanced felony in the specified injury/death scenarios. It also requires the court to suspend the defendant's driver’s license for 6 months to 2 years in these cases. Additionally, it notes the local funding requirement in Amendment 621 would be avoided because the bill defines a new crime or amends an existing one, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Suspects who elude or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer; they could face an enhanced felony penalty if the pursuit results in serious injury or death to the officer or serious injury to bystanders/third parties.
• Law enforcement officers and the public (bystanders and other drivers); penalties and consequences are heightened when officers are harmed or killed during a pursuit, or when bystanders/third parties suffer serious injuries.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-10-52 to apply an enhanced felony penalty to defendants who cause death or serious physical injury to a pursuing law enforcement officer in a pursuit.
• Also applies the enhanced felony penalty when serious physical injuries are caused to innocent bystanders, third parties, or a law enforcement officer during a pursuit.
• Requires the court to suspend the defendant's driver’s license for not less than six months nor more than two years in these enhanced-penalty cases.
• Section 2 clarifies the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 (local funds expenditure requirements) because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Section 3 provides the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

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