Disclosure: This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission.
(Alabama)– On Feb. 8, 2024, Alabama Representative Phillip Pettus (R) introduced House Bill 157 (HB157) during a regular state session dealing with youthful offender status.
According to Legiscan, Rep. Pettus wants to change Section 15-19-1, Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit Alabama judges from being able to grant youthful offender status to anyone 16 or older and charged with murder.
The official bill stated:
Under existing Alabama law, a person charged with a crime that is committed while he or she is under 19 years of age may be tried as a youthful offender. This bill would prohibit a judge from granting youthful offender status to a person who is 16 years of age or older and charged with murder.
As of Feb. 8, 2024, the bill is pending House judiciary, and Pettus is requesting the law to become active in Alabama as of Oct. 1, 2024.
As of 2024, Rep. Pettus has introduced four separate bills to Alabama House members.