SB366 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Vivian Davis FiguresSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Courts, grand jury proceedings, disclosure of certain evidence and testimony relating to officer-involved shootings, Sec. 12-16-216 am'd.

Summary

SB 366 would allow public disclosure of grand jury evidence and testimony related to officer-involved shootings that result in death.

What This Bill Does

It keeps most grand jury materials secret, but adds a specific exception to disclose grand jury evidence and testimony for officer-involved shootings resulting in death. Public disclosure is allowed when the grand jury does not indict or at the close of the criminal trial. The State can still use grand jury testimony to impeach a witness, prosecute perjury warrants or indictments, and may share grand jury materials with other circuits upon proper subpoena.

Who It Affects

• General public in Alabama — gains access to grand jury materials for officer-involved shooting cases under the specified conditions.
• Grand jury participants (jurors, witnesses, reporters) — remain bound by secrecy except for the disclosures authorized by the bill.
• Law enforcement officers involved in officer-involved shootings and their agencies — certain related grand jury materials may become public under the new rule.
• Prosecutors and state investigators — retain the ability to use grand jury testimony for impeachment, perjury prosecutions, or other legally permitted uses, and may submit materials to other circuits with proper subpoenas.

Key Provisions

• Adds an exception in Section 12-16-216 to allow disclosure of grand jury evidence and testimony related to officer-involved shootings that result in death.
• Maintains secrecy of other grand jury materials unless an exception applies (as specified in the bill).
• Allows the State to use grand jury testimony to impeach witnesses, prosecute perjury warrants or indictments, and as otherwise permitted by law.
• Allows grand jury evidence and testimony to be presented to grand juries in other circuits or jurisdictions upon proper subpoena.
• Allows public disclosure of grand jury evidence and testimony related to an officer-involved shooting when the grand jury does not indict or at the close of the criminal trial.
• Defines 'officer-involved shooting' as the discharge of a firearm by a law enforcement officer or by a person against a law enforcement officer.
• Effective date: becomes law 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

Courts