HB42 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Bail Reform Act of 1993, court authorized to accept cash deposit in certain circumstances

Summary

The bill would allow courts to accept a cash bail deposit that is smaller than the total bail amount if approved by the judge who set the bail.

What This Bill Does

It changes the current rule that requires posting the full cash bail by allowing the clerk to accept a lesser cash deposit with the approval of the judicial officer who set the bail. It keeps cash bail as one of four bail types (alongside judicial public bail, professional surety bail, and property bail) and defines cash bail as a partial or full cash amount posted with the court. The new rule would apply starting October 1, 2025 and must follow the related Division 9 procedures.

Who It Affects

• Defendants or someone acting on their behalf who may post cash bail and could pay a lesser amount with judicial approval
• Court clerks and judicial officers who set bail and approve the lesser cash deposits

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 15-13-111 to authorize the court clerk to accept a cash bail deposit that is less than the total bail amount upon approval of the judicial officer who set the cash bail
• Maintains four kinds of bail: judicial public bail, cash bail, professional surety bail, and property bail, and defines cash bail as a deposit of part or all of the bail
• Requires cash bail deposits to conform to Division 9 procedures
• Effective date: October 1, 2025

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

Subjects

Courts & Judges