SB320 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

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

Summary

SB320 creates a new crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during a criminal investigation of a Class A or B felony and sets related rules.

What This Bill Does

It would make knowingly giving a false statement to a law enforcement officer during a criminal investigation of a Class A or B felony a Class C felony. It defines what counts as a false statement and requires officers to give a warning before questioning. There is an exception for false denials of guilt, and the bill notes a potential local-funding impact but is exempt from certain local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after the Governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• People who are suspects or witnesses in investigations of Class A or B felonies, because knowingly making false statements or presenting false documents to an officer could result in a Class C felony.
• Law enforcement officers and agencies, due to the new crime, required warning to suspects, and the processes for investigating such statements.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during the course of a criminal investigation into a Class A or B felony, punishable as a Class C felony.
• Defines 'criminal investigation' and 'law enforcement officer' and outlines what constitutes a false statement, concealment, or false writing to an officer.
• Requires the officer conducting the investigation to provide a warning before interviewing or requesting a written statement from the person being questioned.
• Provides an exception for false denial of guilt and notes that the bill’s local-funding impact is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it creates or amends a crime.
• Effective date: the act 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 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses