The bill amends Section 13A-10-41 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which pertains to the crime of resisting arrest. The new language specifies that a person commits this crime if they intentionally prevent or attempt to prevent a peace officer from effecting a lawful arrest of themselves or another individual. The bill changes the classification of resisting arrest from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor, while also introducing enhanced penalties for certain circumstances. Specifically, if a person brandishes a deadly weapon or causes physical injury to another during the act of resisting arrest, the offense is elevated to a Class D felony. If the person uses a deadly weapon or causes serious physical injury, it is classified as a Class C felony.

Additionally, the bill includes several insertions to clarify the language and definitions used in the law, such as changing "affecting" to "effecting" and adding gender-neutral terms. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding resisting arrest and impose stricter penalties for more severe instances of this crime.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-10-41
Engrossed: 13A-10-41