SB423 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Shelby Co., churches, deadly physical force, use in self-defense or defense of others, const. amend.

Summary

SB 423 would add a Shelby County-only constitutional amendment allowing deadly force in self-defense on church premises under specific conditions, with immunity from criminal and civil liability if justified.

What This Bill Does

The amendment would apply only in Shelby County and define key terms (church, deadly physical force, force, premises). It would allow a person to use deadly force in self-defense or defense of another when they reasonably believe someone on the church premises is about to use force during certain crimes. It would grant that person no duty to retreat and immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action if the force is justified, with some exceptions. It would require a pretrial hearing to decide immunity, and if immunity is proven, charges would be dismissed; if not, the defense can be pursued at trial. Law enforcement could investigate but could not arrest solely for the use of force unless there is probable cause that the force was unlawful.

Who It Affects

• People on Shelby County church premises (employees, volunteers, members, or others authorized) who may use or be protected when using deadly force in self-defense or defense of others.
• Law enforcement and the courts in Shelby County, who would handle the immunity pretrial hearing and determine whether force was justified and manage related investigations and potential prosecutions.

Key Provisions

• Applies only in Shelby County.
• Defines key terms: church, deadly physical force, force, premises.
• Allows deadly force in self-defense or defense of another if reasonably believed to be used against a person on church premises during certain crimes (death, serious injury, first-degree robbery, or first-degree kidnapping).
• No duty to retreat; right to stand your ground if justified and not unlawfully engaged.
• Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action if force is justified, with exceptions for unlawful force or violation of applicable criminal code.
• Pretrial immunity hearing required before trial; defendant must show immunity by a preponderance of the evidence; if proven, charges are dismissed.
• If immunity is not proven, trial proceeds with state's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Law enforcement may investigate using standard procedures but may not arrest solely because force was used unless there is probable cause that the force was unlawful.
• Election language describing the amendment and the ballot format.

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

Subjects

Churches