HB153 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Proncey Robertson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Crimes and offenses, law enforcement officers, crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer, created

Summary

HB 153 creates a new crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during felony investigations, with a specific warning requirement and a Class C felony penalty.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal to knowingly falsify a material fact, give a materially false or fraudulent statement, or use a false writing to a law enforcement officer during a criminal investigation of a Class A or B felony. The offense is punishable as a Class C felony. There are exceptions: it does not apply to a false denial of guilt in response to questions initiated by an officer, and some parts only apply if a specific warning is given before questioning; if the warning is not provided, those parts do not apply. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Individuals being investigated for Class A or B felonies who knowingly provide false information to a law enforcement officer could be charged with a Class C felony.
• Law enforcement officers and agencies conducting felony investigations, who must follow the warning requirement and define the scope of when the false-statement provisions apply.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during the course of a criminal investigation of a Class A or B felony.
• Three prohibited acts: (1) falsifying, concealing, or covering up a material fact; (2) making a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; (3) using or producing a false writing or document with false information.
• Penalty: Class C felony.
• Exclusion: the offense does not apply to a false denial of guilt in response to questions initiated by a law enforcement officer or other state/county/municipal agent.
• Warning requirement: paragraphs (2) and (3) apply only if the officer provides a specific warning before interviewing or requesting a written statement, stating that knowingly false statements are subject to criminal prosecution.
• Definitions: 'Criminal investigation' means an investigation into alleged Class A or B misdemeanor or felony; 'Law enforcement officer' means an on-duty officer with arrest power.
• Local funding note: the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local funding requirements because it defines a new crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's 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