The bill, known as Jolee's Law, amends Section 15-19-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to prohibit judges from granting youthful offender status to individuals aged 16 or older who are charged with capital murder or murder. The new legal language specifies that individuals charged with these serious offenses must be charged, arrested, and tried as adults, thereby removing the possibility of being treated as a youthful offender. This change is reflected in the insertion of language that states, "An individual who has attained the age 16 years of age or older at the time of the offense and who is charged with capital murder... may not be tried as a youthful offender... but shall be charged, arrested, and tried as an adult."

Additionally, the bill modifies the existing provisions regarding youthful offender status for individuals under 21 years of age. It clarifies that the court must conduct an investigation and examination to determine if a defendant should be tried as a youthful offender, provided they consent to the process. The bill also includes a requirement for victim notification prior to hearings related to serious crimes involving physical injury or death. The effective date for this act is set for October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15-19-1
Engrossed: 15-19-1