HB141 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Criminal procedure, to prohibit release of records of persons eligible for youthful offender status, Sec. 15-19-7 am'd.

Summary

HB141, known as Peyton's Law, would shield the fingerprints, photos, and other records of people under 21 who are charged and eligible for youthful offender status from public release until the court decides whether to grant that status.

What This Bill Does

It requires that fingerprints, photographs, and other records of under-21 individuals eligible for youthful offender status not be open to public inspection until the court makes a determination on youthful offender status. After a person is adjudged a youthful offender, those records generally cannot be publicly inspected unless the person is treated as an adult sex offender, and the court may allow inspection at its discretion; prosecutors would maintain access to the records in court files regardless of jurisdiction. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Youthful offenders under 21 who are charged with a crime and eligible for youthful offender status, whose fingerprints, photographs, and other records would be protected from public release until the court determines eligibility.
• Prosecutors and the State, who would retain access to the records in court files regardless of where the file originated; the court would control when records may be inspected by the public.

Key Provisions

• The fingerprints, photographs, and other records of a person under 21 charged and eligible for youthful offender status shall not be open to public inspection until the court determines whether the person is granted youthful offender status.
• After adjudication as a youthful offender, records shall not be open to public inspection unless the person is treated as an adult sex offender under Section 15-20A-35; the court may permit inspection at its discretion, and prosecutors shall have access to the records regardless of jurisdiction.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Procedure