SB155 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Defenses, self-defense, force in defense of premises, further provided, Secs. 13A-3-20, 13A-3-25, 13A-3-27 am'd.

Summary

SB155 expands when deadly force can be used to defend premises by adding a riot-distance exception and updates terminology to current code style.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new condition that allows deadly physical force to defend premises if an active riot is within 500 feet, enabling protection against criminal mischief or burglary by a trespasser. It retains existing rules that physical force can be used to prevent criminal trespass and that deadly force may be used in arson cases. It also makes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update language to current code style.

Who It Affects

• Property owners, managers, tenants, or others legally in possession or control of premises (and those licensed to be there): gain an expanded right to use deadly force to defend against criminal mischief or burglary when there is an active riot within 500 feet.
• Trespassers or criminals near defended premises: subject to the enhanced defense framework, as their actions (criminal mischief or burglary) may be met with deadly force by defenders when a riot is nearby.
• Peace officers and private persons authorized to act in arrests: the bill preserves and clarifies the force framework for these actors with updated language, keeping alignment with the revised definitions and rules.

Key Provisions

• Amends 13A-3-20 to update definitions (e.g., Building, Premises, Deadly Physical Force, Force, Vehicle) and expand Premises to include buildings and real property, with language updated to current code style.
• Amends 13A-3-25 to allow deadly physical force to defend premises under new condition: if an active riot is within 500 feet, the defender may use deadly force to prevent criminal mischief or burglary by a trespasser; otherwise, existing defenses (defense of a person, defense against arson) remain.
• Amends 13A-3-27 to reflect updated code language for peace officers, private persons, and related arrest/defense scenarios, maintaining justified use of force under specified circumstances with language updated to current style.
• Includes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update language to current code style across the amended sections.

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