HB355 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Proncey Robertson

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Tracy Estes

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

HB355 would create a new crime of knowingly giving a false statement to a law enforcement officer during a criminal investigation of a Class A or B felony, with a Class C felony penalty.

What This Bill Does

HB355 creates the crime of knowingly providing a materially false statement to a law enforcement officer during the course of a criminal investigation into a Class A or B felony. It covers falsifying, concealing, or presenting a materially false fact; making or using a false writing or document. An exception applies for false denials of guilt, and officers must warn individuals before questioning. The bill is designed to be exempt from local-funding approval requirements, and would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• People being investigated for Class A or B felonies, who could be charged with a Class C felony if they knowingly provide false information or falsify documents.
• Law enforcement officers, who would enforce the new crime and must issue warnings before questioning.
• Local government entities, which would be affected by the bill's exemption from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during the course of a criminal investigation of a Class A or B felony.
• Defines actions that would constitute the crime: falsifying or concealing a material fact; making a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement; or using a false writing or document with false statements.
• Penalty set at Class C felony.
• Exceptions include that the provision does not apply to a false denial of guilt, and it requires a warning to be given before questioning.
• Defines 'criminal investigation' and 'law enforcement officer' for the purposes of the section.
• Local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 are not applicable; the bill is exempt from those requirements.
• Effective date: first day of the third month following passage and governor 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