For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2025
For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230
(Montgomery, Ala.) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today celebrated the Alabama Senate’s work to approve House Bill 307 which will now head to the Governor’s desk for final approval. The legislation was created to expedite trials for violent criminal cases, reduce court backlogs, and ensure swift justice for victims.
“This legislation is another step towards making Alabama safer by holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring that more victims receive timely justice,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall.
“I applaud the Legislature for passing this bill with bipartisan support. It will deliver long-overdue efficiency to our courts, help restore public confidence in our criminal justice system, and most importantly, show that crime victims have not been forgotten. My Office will be ready on Day 1 to make our own request for speedy trials in a few prominent cases that have been needlessly delayed.”
Under current Alabama law, the state supreme court has the authority to appoint special judges, but there has been no formal process for prosecutors to request additional judicial resources to address the backlog of violent crime cases. House Bill 307 sponsored by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Hill (R-Moody) and carried in the Senate by Senate Judiciary Chairman Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) would now allow district attorneys or the Attorney General to request temporary judicial appointments for specific backlogged violent crime cases. The legislation also establishes the Speedy Trial Fund, which ensures the availability of financial resources for special judges, court reporters, and additional juries, eliminating logistical barriers that often cause trial delays.
“I am grateful to our bill sponsors, as well as Speaker Ledbetter and Pro Tem Gudger, for making this a priority. I am also especially grateful to Chief Justice Sarah Stewart for her thoughtful input during the drafting of this bill,” Marshall said.
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