{"id":371325,"date":"2024-10-29T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T21:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-felony-sentencing.html"},"modified":"2024-10-29T17:42:59","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T22:42:59","slug":"alabama-felony-sentencing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-felony-sentencing.html","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Felony Sentencing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Alabama Felony Sentencing<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/samuel-strom-j-d\/\">Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/laura-temme-esq\/\">Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            October 29, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Alabama classifies its felonies into four classes, Class A through Class D. The state&#8217;s sentencing laws sometimes impose mandatory minimum prison sentences or the death penalty, depending on the circumstances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>A felony in Alabama is a crime that imposes over one year of imprisonment upon a person\u2019s conviction. Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors, which impose up to one year of incarceration. Violations are the least serious crimes, imposing up to 30 days in jail.<\/p>\r\n<p>Under Alabama\u2019s sentencing guidelines, sentencing judges can impose the following types of sentences, among others:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Fines<\/li>\r\n<li>Prison or jail time<\/li>\r\n<li>Community service<\/li>\r\n<li>Probation<\/li>\r\n<li>Treatment programs<\/li>\r\n<li>Life sentences<\/li>\r\n<li>The death penalty (also known as capital punishment)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>In theory, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/sentencing-overview.html\">sentencing guidelines<\/a> promote fairness by imposing punishment based on objective criteria. By doing so, sentencing guidelines intend to impose similar criminal sentences for a crime, regardless of the defendant\u2019s characteristics.<\/p>\r\n<p>Alabama also imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences for some felonies. In addition, a person who has previously committed one or more felonies may face harsher penalties than a first-time offender.<\/p>\r\n<p>This article summarizes Alabama\u2019s felony sentencing laws.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Alabama Felony Sentencing: Overview<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The table below provides an overview of Alabama\u2019s felony sentencing laws. For more information, consult the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alison.legislature.state.al.us\/code-of-alabama\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Code of Alabama<\/a>&nbsp;or visit the links in the Related Resources section below.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th><p>Code Section<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Code of Alabama Title 13A Criminal Code, Chapter 5, Article 1<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Ala. Code \u00a7 13A-5-3 &#8211; Classification of Offenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Ala. Code \u00a7 13A-5-6 &#8211; Sentences of Imprisonment for Felonies<\/li>\r\n<li>Ala. Code \u00a7 13A-5-9 &#8211; Habitual Felony Offenders &#8211; Additional Penalties<\/li>\r\n<li>Ala. Code \u00a7 13A-5-11 &#8211; Fines for Felonies<\/li>\r\n<li>Ala. Code \u00a7 13A-5-40 &#8211; Capital Offenses<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>Class A Felonies<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment: 10 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(1))<\/p>\r\n<p>If the convicted person used a firearm or deadly weapon or committed a Class A felony sex offense involving a child, a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(5))<\/p>\r\n<p>Maximum sentence: 99 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(2))<\/p>\r\n<p>Maximum fine: $60,000 (\u00a7 13A-5-11(a)(1))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Class B Felonies<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment: Two years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(2))<\/p>\r\n<p>If the convicted person used a firearm or deadly weapon or committed a Class B felony sex offense involving a child, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(6))<\/p>\r\n<p>Maximum sentence: 20 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(2))<\/p>\r\n<p>Maximum fine: $30,000 (\u00a7 13A-5-11(a)(2))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Class C Felonies<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment: One year and one day (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(3))<\/p>\r\n<p>If the convicted person used a firearm or deadly weapon, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(6))<\/p>\r\n<p>Maximum sentence: 10 years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(3))<\/p>\r\n<p>Maximum fine: $15,000 (\u00a7 13A-5-11(a)(3))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Class D Felonies<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li>Mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment: One year and one day (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(4))<\/li>\r\n<li>Maximum sentence: Five years (\u00a7 13A-5-6(a)(4))<\/li>\r\n<li>Maximum fine: $7,500 (\u00a7 13A-5-11(a)(4))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Life Imprisonment Without the Possibility of Parole<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>If the offender is convicted of the following sex offenses, they were 21 years or older at the time of the offense, and the victim was six years old or younger at the time of the offense, the court will sentence them to a life sentence without the possibility of parole (\u00a7 13A-5-6(d)):<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>First-degree rape (\u00a7 13A-6-61)<\/li>\r\n<li>First-degree sodomy (\u00a7 13A-6-63)<\/li>\r\n<li>Sexual Torture (\u00a7 13A-6-65.1)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Capital Offenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>A capital offense is a criminal offense for which the state of Alabama imposes the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. (\u00a7 13A-5-39). Alabama Code \u00a7 13A-5-40 lists 21 capital offenses, all related to murder.<\/p>\r\n<p>A conviction for capital murder imposes the following penalties:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The death penalty (capital punishment), or<\/li>\r\n<li>Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>However, if the defendant was under 18 years old at the time of the crime, they face either:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>A life sentence, or<\/li>\r\n<li>A life sentence without the possibility of parole. (\u00a7 13A-5-39)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Post-Release Supervision<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>In addition to the penalties noted above, a sentencing judge will impose an additional penalty of at least 10 years of post-release supervision upon the defendant\u2019s release from incarceration in the following situations (\u00a7 13A-5-6(c)):<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If the court designates a person as a sexually violent predator and sentences them to county jail or the Alabama Department of Corrections, or<\/li>\r\n<li>If the conviction was for a Class A felony sex offense involving a child and the defendant is sentenced to county jail or the Alabama Department of Corrections.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p><b>Related Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li>Sentences of Imprisonment for Misdemeanors and Violations (\u00a7 13A-5-7)<\/li>\r\n<li>Fines for Misdemeanors and Violations (\u00a7 13A-5-12)<\/li>\r\n<li>Fines for Certain Additional Misdemeanors (\u00a7 13A-5-12.1)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note: Alabama\u2019s legislature changes and revises the <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.legislature.state.al.us\/code-of-alabama\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Code of Alabama<\/i><\/a><i> frequently. While FindLaw strives to provide the most recent versions of Alabama\u2019s state laws, consider conducting your own research to verify the laws you are researching. You can also contact an <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/alabama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Alabama criminal defense attorney<\/i><\/a><i> for specific legal advice.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2>Habitual Offenders<\/h2>\r\n<p>A person with previous felony convictions will often face more severe penalties. The courts sometimes refer to these defendants as &quot;habitual offenders.&quot;<\/p>\r\n<p>If a person has a prior felony conviction and they subsequently commit another felony offense in Alabama, the following penalties apply to the second felony:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class C felony, the state punishes them as if they committed a Class B felony. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(a)(1))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class B felony, the state punishes them as if they committed a Class A felony. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(a)(2))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class A felony, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison (up to 99 years) or a life sentence. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(a)(3))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If the defendant has two prior felony convictions, the following penalties apply to a third felony conviction:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class C felony, the state punishes them as if they committed a Class A felony. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(b)(1))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class B felony, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison (up to 99 years) or a life sentence. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(b)(2))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class A felony, the defendant faces up to 99 years in prison or a life sentence. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(b)(3))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If the defendant has three prior felony convictions that were Class A, B, or C felonies, and they commit a fourth Class A, B, or C felony, they face the following penalties:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class C felony, they face a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison (up to 99 years) or a life sentence. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(c)(1))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class B felony, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, up to a life sentence. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(c)(2))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class A felony, and the defendant has no prior convictions for a Class A felony, they face a life sentence. The court has discretion as to whether the defendant\u2019s sentence includes the possibility of parole. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(c)(3))<\/li>\r\n<li>If convicted of a Class A felony, and the defendant has one or more prior convictions for a Class A felony, the court must sentence them to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(c)(4))<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If the criminal defense has two or more prior felony convictions for Class A or B felonies, and they subsequently commit a Class D felony, the state must punish them as though they committed a Class C felony. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(d))<\/p>\r\n<p>In all instances where the defendant has three or more felony convictions and subsequently commits a Class D felony, the state must punish them as though they committed a Class C felony. (\u00a7 13A-5-9(e))<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Visit the links below for more information about Alabama\u2019s laws and more general information about criminal law:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law.html\">Alabama Law<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-criminal-laws.html\">Alabama Criminal Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-statutes-of-limitations.html\">Alabama Statute of Limitations Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html\">Alabama Criminal Statute of Limitations<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-drug-distribution-laws.html#\">Alabama Drug Distribution Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-drug-trafficking-laws.html#\">Alabama Drug Trafficking Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-dui-laws.html#\">Alabama DUI Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-harassment-laws.html#\">Alabama Harassment Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-murder-statutes.html#\">Alabama Murder Statutes<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-protective-orders-laws.html\">Alabama Protective Order Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/assault-and-battery-overview.html\">Assault and Battery Overview<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/court-ordered-community-service.html\">Court-Ordered Community Service<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges.html\">Criminal Charges<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal.html\">Criminal Law<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence.html\">Domestic Violence Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/drug-trafficking-distribution.html\">Drug Trafficking and Drug Distribution<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/harassment.html\">Harassment<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/how-does-the-criminal-justice-system-work.html\">How Does the Criminal Justice System Work?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/self-defense-overview.html\">Self-Defense Law: Overview<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>You can also visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/selected-state-sentencing-laws.html\">Selected State Sentencing Laws<\/a> for information about sentencing guidelines and each state\u2019s sentencing scheme.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Facing Felony Charges? Contact an Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>If law enforcement has charged you with a felony in Alabama, you should contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/alabama\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense lawyer near you<\/a>. An experienced criminal defense attorney can explain and protect your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights.html\">rights in a criminal case<\/a> and formulate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-legal-help\/criminal-defense-strategies.html\">specific defense strategies<\/a>. Whether you face <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-theft-laws.html#\">second-degree theft charges<\/a> in Auburn or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-assault-charges.html\">third-degree assault<\/a> in Birmingham, a criminal defense attorney can help. Contact one today to get started.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 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helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n     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       name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" 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Many Alabama attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum\" title=\"Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you need an attorney, find one right now.<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n  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rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-sentencing.html\">\n                        Criminal Sentencing\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/suspended-sentences.html\">\n                        What Is a Suspended Sentence?\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/appealing-a-conviction-after-pleading-guilty.html\">\n                        Appealing a Conviction After Pleading Guilty\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw&#8217;s State Laws section describes Alabama&#8217;s felony sentencing laws, including the circumstances that impose a mandatory prison sentence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":371275,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-371325","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=371325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371325\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=371325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=371325"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=371325"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=371325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}