SB40 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

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

SB40 would raise penalties for eluding a police officer by making the offense a Class C felony if the elude results in death or serious injury to the pursuing officer, a bystander, or a third party, and would require a driver’s license suspension in those cases.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 13A-10-52 to classify eluding an officer as a Class A misdemeanor ordinarily, but as a Class C felony when the flight causes death or serious physical injury to the pursuing officer, an innocent bystander, or another party. The bill also requires the court to suspend the defendant’s driver’s license for 6 months to 2 years in those cases. It states that the bill is exempt from local-funds approval requirements under Amendment 621 due to defining a new or amended crime, and it specifies the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Defendants who attempt to elude a law enforcement officer; if their elude results in death or serious injury to the officer, bystander, or third party, they would face a Class C felony and a license suspension of 6 months to 2 years.
• Law enforcement officers and members of the public (bystanders or other parties) who could be killed or seriously injured during pursuits; the penalties would apply if their deaths or serious injuries occur, providing stricter consequences for the fleeing driver.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Amends §13A-10-52 to make eluding an officer a Class A misdemeanor unless the flight causes death or serious physical injury to the pursuing officer, an innocent bystander, or a third party, in which case it becomes a Class C felony; includes a license suspension of 6 months to 2 years.
• Section 2: Excludes the bill from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Section 3: Establishes the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after 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