SB155 Alabama 2021 Session

Under existing law, a person in lawful possession or control of premises or a person who is licensed or privileged to be on premises, may use physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent or terminate what he or she reasonably believes to be the commission or attempted commission of a criminal trespass by the other person in or upon the premises

Also under existing law, a person may use deadly physical force to defend premises when the person reasonably believes a trespasser is in the commission or attempted commission of arson against the premises

This bill would further provide for the use of deadly physical force to defend premises by providing that if an active riot is occurring within 500 feet of the premises, a person in lawful possession or control of the premises may use deadly physical force to defend the premises from criminal mischief or burglary

This bill would also make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the language to current code style

Relating to self-defense; to amend Sections 13A-3-20, 13A-3-25, and 13A-3-27, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the right to use force in defense of premises; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the language to current code style.