SB108 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; crime of mail theft, established; penalties, provided

Summary

SB108 creates the crime of mail theft and receiving stolen mail in Alabama, with penalties that rise based on how many addresses are involved and higher penalties if sensitive personal information is used to defraud.

What This Bill Does

It defines mail as items delivered by USPS or other carriers that haven’t yet reached the recipient. It makes stealing mail from a mailbox or other delivery location a crime, with penalties that start as a Class A misdemeanor and rise to Class D for 10-29 addresses or Class C for 30+ addresses; and higher penalties if the theft aims to obtain sensitive personal information to defraud. It also creates a crime of receiving stolen mail, punishable as a Class A misdemeanor in general, with Class C felony penalties if the act involves sensitive personal information and intent to defraud, and includes specific rules that establish intent in certain situations. The act also defines when mail and sensitive personal information are covered and becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who steal mail from mailboxes or other delivery locations, who would face criminal charges with penalties based on how widespread the theft is and whether sensitive personal information is involved.
• People who knowingly receive, keep, or dispose of stolen mail, who could be charged with receiving stolen mail and face penalties that can escalate if sensitive personal information was involved or if there are indicators of intent to defraud.

Key Provisions

• Defines mail to include letters, postcards, packages, bags, or other sealed items delivered by USPS or other carriers, left for delivery, or not yet received by the addressee.
• Defines sensitive personally identifying information (SPII) as described in existing Alabama law (Section 8-38-2).
• Establishes mail theft as taking mail addressed to another from the addressee’s mailbox or premises without consent and with the intent to deprive the addressee of the mail.
• Classifies mail theft as a Class A misdemeanor by default; a Class D felony if theft involves 10-29 addresses; a Class C felony if 30 or more addresses are involved.
• Imposes enhanced penalties for mail theft intended to obtain SPII to defraud: less than 10 addresses becomes Class C felony; 10 or more addresses becomes Class B felony.
• Creates the crime of receiving stolen mail: intentional receipt, retention, or disposal of stolen mail knowing it is stolen (unless intended to restore it to the owner).
• Adds presumptions of intent for receiving stolen mail, such as prior possession of stolen mail on two occasions in a year, possession of recently stolen mail, or regularly dealing in property without confirming the seller’s right to it.
• Receiving stolen mail carries a Class A misdemeanor generally; receiving stolen mail with SPII and intent to defraud is a Class C felony.
• 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

Crimes & Offenses