FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 26, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
AG MARSHALL CALLS SIGNING OF FAIR JUSTICE ACT
AN IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR VICTIMS
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall said the Governor’s
signing today of the Fair Justice Act is an important victory for victims of violent crime
in Alabama and for efficiency in the death penalty appeals process.
“I want to thank Governor Kay Ivey for signing this bill into law, so that justice
may be dispensed in Alabama as it should be, in a fair and swift manner,” said
Attorney General Marshall. “The enactment of this law is the result of a dedicated and
collaborative effort between my office, local prosecutors, victims’ groups, and the
Legislature. Our collective experiences with capital cases compelled us to pursue an
improved appeals process for our state – one that is fairer, more efficient, and does not
prolong the suffering of victims, but provides justice to all parties.”
Attorney General Marshall noted that the Fair Justice Act “does not diminish the
thoroughness of appellate review of death penalty cases, but simply streamlines the
appellate process so that the direct appeal and the state post-conviction stage occur
simultaneously.”
Governor Ivey stated, “The Fair Justice Act strikes an important balance
between protecting the rights of a defendant and the state’s interest in allowing justice
to be achieved effectively and swiftly.”
The Fair Justice Act passed the Alabama House of Representatives on May 16
and received final approval in the Senate on May 18. It was signed into law today by
Governor Ivey.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
