Bill > HB70

This bill creates a new legal pathway for resentencing certain defendants who were originally sentenced to death despite a jury's recommendation for life imprisonment without parole. Specifically, the bill allows defendants convicted of capital offenses before June 1, 2026, who were sentenced under pre-2017 laws and had their death sentence imposed after a jury recommended life without parole, to petition their original sentencing court for resentencing. The petition process will be administered by the Administrative Office of Courts, will not require a filing fee, and will be assigned a unique identifier. The original sentencing judge, their successor, the circuit's presiding judge, or a retired judge assigned by the Alabama Supreme Court can hear the petition. If the petition is granted, the defendant will be resentenced, and the Victim Notification Unit will be informed to alert registered interested parties. The district attorney will have an opportunity to be heard during the process. The bill repeals a previous section of law related to sentencing and will become effective on October 1, 2026, providing a structured mechanism for potential resentencing in cases where judicial override occurred against a jury's life imprisonment recommendation.

Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search