The Yellowhammer State is now a safer place to live thanks to voters’ approval of Aniah’s Law as a constitutional amendment, according Alabama’s Big 10 Mayors.
The citizenry on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Aniah’s Law, which gives judges broader authority to deny bail to violent offenders, by a vote of 80.48% to 19.52%.
In a statement praising the approval of Aniah’s Law, mayors representing the state’s largest cities said the amendment’s passage would make Alabama a safer place.
“As mayors of Alabama’s ten largest cities, we understand the great responsibility we have to promote public safety in our communities,” said Alabama’s Big 10 Mayors. “Early on, we identified Aniah’s Law as an issue in which we could use our collective influence to advocate for and make Alabamians safer. This amendment will give Alabama judges and District Attorneys the tools they need to keep violent criminals off the streets.”
Aniah’s Law, sponsored by State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Mobile), is named after Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student who was murdered by a man released on bond. The murderer had committed several violent offenses including kidnapping and attempted murder prior to her death.
“Far too often, these offenders – who are often charged with crimes such as murder, rape and kidnapping – are released to re-commit more heinous crimes while they await trial,” the mayors added. “That flawed system led to the kidnapping and murder of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard in October of 2019.”
Under existing state law, judges had limited discretion to deny bail to violent offenders unless the suspect is charged with a capital offense or poses a flight risk.
Likely offenders previously convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, sexual torture, domestic violence, human trafficking, burglary, arson, robbery, terrorism or aggravated child abuse can now be denied bail.
“Simply put, Aniah’s accused killer should have been in jail, and Aniah should still be alive,” said the mayors. “We were honored to help get this constitutional amendment across the finish line to protect Alabamians from suffering the same tragedy that befell Aniah and her family.”
“We were proud to support this constitutional amendment and to have fought for its approval by Alabama voters. This is a big win for public safety in Alabama and will honor Aniah’s memory for generations to come. We will continue to collectively advocate for policy goals that make our state a better place for all Alabamians,” concluded the mayors.
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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