HB239 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ginny ShaverRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Crimes and offenses, to revise the criminal penalties for violations of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, Sec. 13A-10-52 am'd.

Summary

HB239 would broaden and stiffen Alabama’s penalties for fleeing or trying to elude law enforcement, adding new felony scenarios and longer consequences.

What This Bill Does

Under current law, fleeing to elude an officer can be a felony if it results in death or serious harm to bystanders. The bill adds more scenarios that could be felonies, such as fleeing after an officer signals to stop or crossing state lines. It creates a tiered penalty structure: a Class A misdemeanor baseline, Class C felony for cross-state flight or causing death or physical injury, and Class B felony for serious physical injury or death. It also requires a driver’s license suspension of 6 months to 2 years upon conviction and notes the measure is exempt from certain local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Drivers or defendants who flee or elude law enforcement (could face higher charges, including Class C or Class B felonies, depending on the outcome).
• Bystanders and the general public (potential for serious injuries or death increases penalties and emphasizes deterrence).

Key Provisions

• Defines unlawful fleeing from a known law enforcement officer (a) and fleeing or eluding while in a vehicle after signals to stop (b).
• Class A misdemeanor baseline for most fleeing/eluding offenses; Class C felony if flight crosses state lines or causes death or physical injury; additional subcases include felonies when a separate felony is involved or bystander injury occurs.
• Class B felony if fleeing or eluding causes serious physical injury or death to another person.
• Mandatory driver’s license suspension for 6 months to 2 years upon conviction.
• Exemption from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because the bill defines a new crime or amends the crime definition.
• Effective date: 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 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses