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SB 98

Criminal procedure; post-conviction DNA testing procedures of inmates, further provided

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Stewart

Alabama bill creates formal post-conviction DNA testing procedures allowing inmates to request scientific evidence review to challenge convictions.

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · SB 98

Legislative bill overview

SB 98 establishes procedures for Alabama inmates to request post-conviction DNA testing, creating a structured legal process for prisoners who believe DNA evidence could prove their innocence. The bill defines eligibility criteria, timelines, and the state's obligations regarding DNA test results and potential case review or exoneration.

Why is this important

Wrongful convictions cause profound injustice to the innocent while leaving actual perpetrators free. Post-conviction DNA testing has exonerated hundreds of inmates nationwide and represents a relatively objective way to resolve cases where biological evidence exists. This procedure addresses a critical gap in Alabama's criminal justice system for defendants seeking to challenge convictions based on scientific evidence.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: DNA testing costs and state laboratory resources required to process inmate requests could strain budgets, raising questions about funding mechanisms
  • Standards for access: The specific eligibility criteria (which crimes qualify, what constitutes "credible evidence") will determine how many inmates can petition and whether standards are too restrictive or overly broad
  • Timeline pressures: Establishing realistic but fair deadlines for testing completion and post-test proceedings while managing court backlogs
  • Evidence preservation: Requires DNA evidence to still exist and be in testable condition, potentially limiting applicants whose evidence has degraded or was destroyed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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