Alabama law sets felony penalties for drivers fleeing police

Drivers who intentionally flee after an officer signals them to stop commit a Class D felony, a category of serious crime. The driving rule covers motor vehicles on Alabama streets, roads, alleys, and highways. Drivers may continue at or below the speed limit if they intend to stop at the nearest safe place, with or without their flashers on. Intentionally fleeing by any means from someone known to be an officer attempting an arrest is a Class A misdemeanor, unless a felony condition applies. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.

The law assigns Class C or Class B felony penalties, more serious crime categories, when specified circumstances apply. These penalties cover intentional flight from an officer the person knows is attempting an arrest or intentional vehicle flight after a stop signal. The safe-stopping exception still applies. Class C applies when flight causes a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian, causes physical injury to another person, or crosses into a neighboring state. Class C also applies when a child under 14 is in the vehicle, the person has a previous fleeing conviction, or the person is on bail or under court supervision through probation, parole, community corrections, or work release. Class B applies when flight causes serious physical injury or death to another person, involves driving more than 20 mph above the speed limit, or involves hitting or trying to hit an officer or a vehicle occupied by an officer. Class B also applies when the person has at least two previous convictions for these fleeing offenses. The law took effect on October 1, 2026. Prior convictions are counted as of the time of the offense.

Courts must suspend a convicted person’s driver’s license and impose minimum jail terms for certain repeat convictions. These requirements cover convictions for intentional flight from an officer known to be attempting an arrest or intentional vehicle flight after a stop signal. A second conviction within five years requires at least 90 days of confinement. A third or later conviction within seven years requires at least 180 days of confinement. These periods run from the earlier arrests that led to convictions to the current arrest that leads to a conviction. The law took effect on October 1, 2026. Courts order the suspension and any required minimum confinement upon conviction.