judicial override

News

Alabama asks how to execute Jeffery Lee, not why

The state is fighting over the method of execution while ignoring the larger question of judicial override.

June 10, 2026

Alabama Arise discusses 2026 legislative priorities before session begins

Alabama Arise outlines 2026 priorities on hunger, education, justice and workers' rights, while urging early advocacy in a fast paced session.

January 13, 2026

Death Row text on grunge lead with textured copper and gold background

Former governors support bill for resentencing judicial override cases

Judicial override previously allowed judges to usurp a jury and sentence someone to death.

April 17, 2024

Alabama faces moral test in Smith’s case amid legal contradictions

This rush to execute before revisiting a condemned practice not only appears hypocritical but also cruel.

January 22, 2024

England continues to push for criminal justice legislation

His new bill would allow those sentenced to death under judicial override to be resentenced.

January 3, 2024

Bill to provide relief to death row inmates sentenced by judicial override stalls

Judges have been barred from overriding the jury in death penalty sentencing since the Legislature passed a law to that effect in 2018.

May 25, 2023

Bill would require unanimous jury for death penalty — and apply retroactively

Rep. Chris England's bill would also apply in cases of judicial override, which the Legislature ended in 2017.

February 13, 2023

Last-second amendment could lead to the execution of Alabama prisoner

A last-second amendment meant that a ban on judges overriding the wishes of juries to impose the death penalty wouldn't be retroactive.

November 17, 2022

A call for justice, not a cry for mercy for Kenneth Eugene Smith

Gov. Kay Ivey can pause Smith’s execution giving the Legislature time to decide if a 2017 law should have been retroactive.

November 16, 2022

Ending Judicial Override: Gov. Kay Ivey’s first signature

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The first bill Gov. Kay Ivey signed after becoming Governor Monday evening was a bill that will put an end to Judicial Override in capital punishment. The bill will now become law. Ivey signed her first act, Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Sen. Dick Brewbaker in the Senate … Continued

April 12, 2017