Bill Would Change Youthful Offender Status

The countdown to the 2026 session of the Alabama Legislature continues, and so do submissions of prefiled bills by lawmakers. A bill that is sure to spark controversy is legislation in the Senate by Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) and Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killian). It would remove "Youthful Offender Status" availability from certain cases.

Senate Bill 25 and House Bill 11 would prevent judges from granting youthful offender status to those age 16 or older who are charged with capital murder or intentional murder.

Get our free mobile app

Alabama law currently allows persons younger than 19 who are charged with murder to be able to receive youthful offender status at a judge’s discretion. That status carries a lighter sentence, with no more than three years in prison and three years of probation. Court records are also sealed to prevent them from haunting the defendant in future life.

Weaver and Pettus believe removing the status in certain cases will speed up court proceedings and serve as a greater deterrent to youth.

An amendment made by Tuscaloosa Democrat Rep. Chris England when similar legislation was proposed but failed last year has been added to this year's prefiled bills. It makes the proposed law apply only to intentional murder. This year's legislation also includes a Senate committee amendment from last session that says youthful offender status may be applied for if the initial charge of murder is reduced to a lesser charge.

Lawmakers who opposed the legislation in the 2025 session, including some Republicans, say they do not want to remove a judge's discretion.

Lawmakers return to Montgomery for the 2026 session beginning Tuesday, January 13.