HB596 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Daniel H. Boman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Criminal sentencing, voluntary sentencing standards of Sentencing Commission as adopted January 7, 2011, approved, trial judge to initial final worksheet

Summary

HB596 updates Alabama's voluntary sentencing standards, expands covered offenses, and requires final sentencing worksheets to be signed and filed as part of the case record.

What This Bill Does

The bill approves modifications to the voluntary sentencing standards and related worksheets adopted by the Alabama Sentencing Commission on January 7, 2011, including adding murder-related offenses and certain drug offenses as covered offenses. It provides recommended sentence ranges and dispositions when sentences are handed down under these standards instead of broader statutory ranges. It also requires the final worksheets used by the judge at sentencing to be signed or initialed and made part of the official case record.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted of felony offenses covered by the updated sentencing standards (potentially receiving clarified or recommended sentence ranges).
• Trial judges who must sign or initial the final sentencing worksheets and ensure they are part of the case record.
• Circuit clerks and other court recordkeepers who handle final sentencing worksheets as part of case records.
• The Alabama Sentencing Commission, which develops and maintains the voluntary sentencing standards and worksheets.

Key Provisions

• approves the January 7, 2011 modifications to the initial voluntary sentencing standards, worksheets, and instructions for use starting October 1, 2011.
• expands the set of covered offenses to include attempts, conspiracies, and solicitations to commit murder and certain drug offenses, with recommended sentence ranges and dispositions under the standards.
• requires final worksheets considered by the trial judge to be initialed or signed by the judge and made a part of the case record.
• repeals conflicting laws to the extent of any inconsistency with these provisions.
• sets the effective date and immediate applicability following governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Sentencing Commission