HB199 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny CrawfordRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

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

Summary

In Limestone County, this bill would allow a person on church property to use deadly force in self-defense under specific conditions and provide immunity from criminal and civil liability when justified.

What This Bill Does

It amends the Alabama Constitution to create a legal presumption that deadly force is justified in self-defense or defense of another if the person reasonably believes someone is about to use force against someone on church premises (employees, volunteers, members, or other authorized persons) during certain crimes. It establishes that there is no duty to retreat for those who are justified, and it sets up a pretrial hearing to determine immunity before trial. It also directs law enforcement to follow standard procedures for investigations but limits arrests to cases with probable cause that the force used was unlawful, applying only in Limestone County.

Who It Affects

• People on Limestone County church premises (employees, volunteers, members, or other authorized individuals) who may defend themselves with deadly force and gain immunity from criminal and civil liability if justified.
• Law enforcement and prosecutors in Limestone County, who must apply the pretrial immunity process and may limit arrests unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

Key Provisions

• Applies only in Limestone County and defines key terms (church, deadly physical force, force, premises).
• Allows deadly force if a person reasonably believes someone on church premises is about to use force against an on-site person during certain crimes (death, serious injury, first-degree robbery, or first-degree kidnapping).
• No duty to retreat; right to stand your ground when the use of force is justified.
• Provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified force, unless the force was unlawful or violates specific criminal provisions.
• Requires a pretrial hearing to determine immunity; if immunity is proven by a preponderance of the evidence, charges are dismissed; if not, the defense may proceed at trial with the state bearing the burden of proof.
• Law enforcement may investigate under standard procedures but may not arrest the person unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Churches