SB52 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Municipal corporations, ordinances, issuance of summons and complaint in lieu of custodial arrest, further provided for, Sec. 11-45-9.1 am'd.

Summary

The bill lets municipalities authorize officers to issue a summons instead of arrest for certain non-violent offenses, with rules on how fines are set and how appearances are handled.

What This Bill Does

It allows municipal or state law enforcement to issue a summons and complaint in lieu of custodial arrest for specific non-violent offenses, such as littering, animal-control violations, and certain Class C misdemeanors within the municipality. It prohibits use for violent crimes, domestic violence, crimes involving alcohol or drugs with safety risk, offenses with minor victims, or restitution-required offenses. It requires a municipality to publish a fines schedule, outlines how defendants may plead or post bail, and explains consequences for failing to appear in court; fines collected go to the municipality’s general fund.

Who It Affects

• Residents charged with enumerated offenses in municipalities; they may be cited via a summons rather than being arrested and may have options to plead guilty, pay fines, or go to trial.
• Municipalities and their law enforcement and courts; they must implement the ordinance, adopt a fines schedule, issue summons using a prescribed form, and handle enforcement and funding.

Key Provisions

• Specific provision 1: Authorizes a municipality to have officers issue a summons and complaint instead of arrest for certain non-violent offenses (littering, animal-control violations, and specific Class C misdemeanors) within the municipality, with explicit exceptions for violent or risky situations and certain protected circumstances.
• Specific provision 2: Establishes the process and requirements for the summons (form content, court date, notification, and magistrate whether a plea or bail option), mandates a published fines schedule, details procedures for appearing or depositing bail, and sets penalties for failing to appear and how fines are distributed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Municipalities