Ala. Code
Code of Alabama

Ala. Code § 32-5A-4 (2026)

Obedience to Police Officers and Firemen.

✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
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No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer or fireman invested by law with authority to direct, control or regulate traffic.

(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §1-103.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1990–2024 · leading case: Borders v. City of Huntsville, 875 So. 2d 1168 (Ala. 2003).
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Borders v. City of Huntsville, 875 So. 2d 1168 (Ala. 2003). “2d at 248 ("There is no hard and fast rule concerning when there is probable cause to arrest a person pursuant to § 32-5A-4, Ala.Code 1975, for refusing to comply with a lawful order or direction of a police officer.”
Mann v. Darden, 630 F. Supp. 2d 1305 (M.D. Ala. 2009). · cites it 2× “1975 Ala.Code § 32-5A-4 (directing that no person “willfully” refuse to comply with a “lawful” order of someone with the authority to regulate traffic); Sly v.”
Johnson v. Andalusia Police Dep't, 633 F. Supp. 2d 1289 (M.D. Ala. 2009). · cites it 2× “Cf 1975 Ala.Code § 32-5A-4 (directing that no person “willfully” refuse to comply with a “lawful” order of someone with the authority to regulate traffic).”
Ex Parte Duvall, 782 So. 2d 244 (Ala. 2000). · cites it 2× “There is no hard and fast rule concerning when there is probable cause to arrest a person pursuant to § 32-5A-4, Ala.Code 1975, for refusing to comply with a lawful order or direction of a police officer.”
Miller v. State, 273 So. 3d 921 (Ala. Crim. App. 2018). “Code 1975; (3) committed the new offense of failure to obey a police officer, see § 32-5A-4, Ala. Code 1975; and (4) committed the new offense of disorderly conduct, see § 13A-11-7, Ala.”
Adams v. State, 585 So. 2d 156 (Ala. Crim. App. 1990). “The appellant argues that § 32-5A-4, Code of Alabama (1975), makes it clear that no person shall wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer who has lawful authority to direct, control or regulate traffic.”
Ex Parte Lester Lee Thomas. Petition for Writ of Mandamus: Civil (Ala. 2023). · cites it 5× “Thomas also argued that § 32-5A-4, Ala. Code 1975, generally exempted him from having to comply with the pedestrian statutes.”
Scarlett v. Heaton (N.D. Ala. 2024). · cites it 2× “Heaton and Pridmore then forcefully removed Scarlett from his vehicle, took him to the ground using an “illegal move,” and arrested him for refusing to comply with their directions under Alabama Code § 32-5A-4. Doc. 1 at 4.1 Either Heaton, Pridmore, or another Warrior police…”
Miller v. State, 273 So. 3d 921 (Ala. Crim. App. 2018). “Code 1975; (3) committed the new offense of failure to obey a police officer, see § 32-5A-4, Ala. Code 1975; and (4) committed the new offense of disorderly conduct, see § 13A-11-7, Ala.”
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