HB259 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Self Defense, use of deadly force, prohibition of using stand your ground as defense if the person pursued person it was used against, Trayvon Martin exception, Sec.13A-3-23 am'd.

Summary

HB 259 changes Alabama's self-defense rules by limiting when force is justified after a pursued person, and it grants immunity to bystanders who defend themselves during confrontations between others.

What This Bill Does

It says a person is not justified in using physical force if they initially pursued someone engaged in a lawful activity in a public place and that pursuit led to a confrontation and the use of force. It also provides immunity to innocent bystanders who use force to protect themselves during a confrontation between other people. The bill amends the self-defense law to include a Trayvon Martin exception, outlines when deadly force may be justified, and creates pretrial processes to determine immunity, including possible dismissal of charges if immunity is proven. It also states that law enforcement can investigate under standard procedures but cannot arrest someone solely on the force used without probable cause that the force was unlawful.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who initiate a pursuit of another person in public places and then use force, as their use of force would not be justified under the new rule.
• Innocent bystanders who use force to protect themselves during a confrontation between other people, who would be immune from criminal prosecution and civil action unless their force was unlawful.

Key Provisions

• A person is not justified in using physical force if they initially pursued another person engaged in a lawful activity in a public place and the pursuit resulted in a confrontation and the use of force (the Trayvon Martin exception).
• An innocent bystander who uses force to protect themselves during a confrontation between others is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of that force, unless the force was unlawful.
• The bill amends the self-defense statute to maintain justification for using deadly force in certain situations (e.g., imminent unlawful force, burglary, kidnapping, robbery, assault, and other listed scenarios) and clarifies when deadly force is presumed justified or not.
• A pretrial hearing can determine whether the force used was immune from criminal prosecution; if immunity is proven, charges can be dismissed; if not, the prosecution continues and the state bears the burden at trial.
• Law enforcement procedures for investigating force remain, but an arrest for the force used requires probable cause that the force was unlawful.

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