A new bill prefiled for the upcoming legislative session aims to amend Alabama’s assault laws, specifically targeting those who harm public officials.
Under the current law, assault in the third degree is defined as causing physical injury with intent. The proposed bill would elevate the crime to assault in the second degree if the victim is a current or former local, state or federal public official.
The bill outlines penalties for such violations and includes technical revisions to update the existing code language. The amendment to Section 13A-6-21 of the Code of Alabama 1975 specifies that a person commits assault in the second degree if they intend to cause serious physical injury or use a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument to inflict harm…