SB119 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to courts; to amend Section 12-15-204, Code of Alabama 1975, to require a person who is 16 years of age or older to be tried as an adult for any felony offense involving the use of a dangerous instrument against an employee of a juvenile detention center or the Department of Youth Services; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

SB119 would require anyone 16 or older charged with a felony involving the use of a dangerous instrument against an employee of a juvenile detention center or the Department of Youth Services to be tried as an adult.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands the list of offenses that automatically move a 16+ defendant to adult court to include felonies with a dangerous instrument used against employees of juvenile detention centers or the Department of Youth Services. It keeps the existing categories for adult trial and adds a targeted group to the trigger. It also includes nonsubstantive technical edits to update the code language to current style and clarifies applicable timing for when the conduct occurred.

Who It Affects

• People aged 16 or older who commit a felony involving the use of a dangerous instrument against an employee of a juvenile detention center or the Department of Youth Services, who would then be tried as an adult instead of in juvenile court.
• Employees of juvenile detention centers and the Department of Youth Services, who are named in the statute as the type of victim for which an adult-trial rule applies when a dangerous instrument is involved.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-15-204 to require a person age 16 or older to be tried as an adult for any felony involving the use of a dangerous instrument against an employee of a juvenile detention center or the Department of Youth Services.
• Makes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language to current style.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.