SB208 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Criminal procedure, expungement, further provided to include youthful offenders, cost of expungement petition further provided, Secs. 15-27-2, 15-27-4 am'd.

Summary

SB208 would broaden expungement rights for felony records, remove filing costs, and add trafficking-related grounds for erasing criminal records in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It allows anyone charged with a felony to seek expungement under several conditions, including dismissal with prejudice, no-bill by grand jury, completion of court-approved programs, and, after five years with no new convictions. It also creates a trafficking-based path to expungement for offenses committed because of trafficking, and allows expungement for not-guilty verdicts; the circuit court would handle these petitions. The bill also eliminates the $300 administrative filing fee and prohibits other court costs or docket fees for filing, with provisions for indigent petitioners and potential hardship payment plans.

Who It Affects

• People charged with felonies in Alabama (including violent offenses under certain conditions) who want to have records expunged when they meet the listed criteria.
• People who were victims of human trafficking and would not have committed the felony but for trafficking (and certain offenses) who qualify for expungement under trafficking-related provisions.

Key Provisions

• Expungement eligibility expanded to any felony charge under conditions: dismissal with prejudice, no-bill, after completion of court-approved programs, after five years with no new convictions, or trafficking-related circumstances.
• Trafficking ground allows expungement for specific offenses (promoting prostitution in the first degree, domestic violence in the third degree, production of obscene matter involving a person under 17) if the offense occurred during trafficking and would not have happened but for trafficking, with evidence considerations.
• Not guilty verdicts allow expungement for felonies, including violent offenses.
• Administrative filing fee ($300) and other court costs or docket fees for filing the expungement petition are removed; indigent petitioners may seek hardship arrangements.
• Circuit court has exclusive jurisdiction over expungement petitions; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Criminal Law and Procedure