HB227 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crimes and offenses, provide that a judge may use discretion in the length of sentence a defendant must serve if his or her probation is revoked, Secs. 12-25-34, 12-25-34.2, 12-25-36, 15-18-8 am'd.

Summary

HB227 lets a judge decide how long a defendant must serve if probation is revoked and updates the timing and language of truth-in-sentencing along with minor code edits.

What This Bill Does

It gives judges discretion to determine the length of the revocation sentence when probation is revoked. It revises when truth-in-sentencing standards will be developed and applied, including how presumptive ranges and factors for departures are handled. It includes nonsubstantive technical edits to update code language. It takes effect immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Defendants on probation whose probation could be revoked (they may face a revocation sentence length chosen by the judge, instead of automatically serving the remainder).
• Judges, probation officials, prosecutors, and the Department of Corrections, as they implement the new discretionary revocation sentences and the upcoming truth-in-sentencing standards.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 15-18-8 to allow a sentencing judge to determine the length of the revocation sentence when probation is revoked.
• Amends Sections 12-25-34, 12-25-34.2, and 12-25-36 to revise the implementation date for truth-in-sentencing standards and update the language.
• Establishes development and application of voluntary truth-in-sentencing standards, including presumptive sentence ranges, factors for departures, and appellate review.
• Standards apply to felonies committed after the effective date and changes to how sentences are calculated and supervised under truth-in-sentencing.
• Act becomes effective immediately upon approval by the Governor, with nondisruptive, technical revisions to current code.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses