HB20 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt Simpson Representative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; list of capital offenses, further provided to include murder committed when the defendant knowingly creates a great risk to multiple persons

Description

Under existing law, when murder is committed under certain enumerated circumstances, the defendant may be charged with capital murder, which is generally punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole, with exceptions.

This bill would add to the list of capital offenses the crime of murder committed when the defendant knowingly creates a great risk of death to multiple persons.

Also under existing law, following a defendant's conviction for a capital offense, the court shall conduct a separate hearing to determine whether the defendant will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole. Aggravating and mitigating circumstances may be presented at the hearing. At least one aggravating circumstance must be established as existing to make the defendant eligible for death.

This bill would further provide for the list of aggravating circumstances by including creating a great risk of death to multiple persons.

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Subjects

Crimes & Offenses