HB425 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Sentencing, to further provide for procedures relating to voluntary sentencing standards worksheets, Sec. 12-25-35 am'd.

Summary

HB425 lets the district attorney or the DA's employee prepare voluntary sentencing standards worksheets for felony cases, in addition to other allowed preparers.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds district attorneys or their employees as eligible preparers of the voluntary sentencing standards worksheet for the sentencing judge's consideration in felony cases. Other authorized preparers (such as probation officers or a Board of Pardons and Paroles employee, or other judge-appointed staff) remain able to prepare or present the worksheets. If the court departs from the voluntary standards, it may include a brief written reason (not subject to appellate review) and this reason is shared with the commission for possible future standard updates.

Who It Affects

• District attorneys and their employees, who may now prepare the voluntary sentencing standards worksheets for sentencing decisions in felony cases.
• Probation officers, employees of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and other judge-appointed staff who assist with or prepare the worksheets, whose roles remain allowed paths for worksheet preparation.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-25-35 to allow the district attorney or his or her employee to prepare the voluntary sentencing standards worksheet for the sentencing judge's consideration.
• The trial court must review and consider the worksheet and indicate on the record that it was reviewed, in relation to the applicable standards.
• If the court departs from the voluntary standards, it may provide a brief written reason (not reviewable on appeal) for the departure for commission analysis and statistical purposes only.
• Copies of the voluntary sentencing standards worksheets, along with sentencing orders and any departure explanations, must be forwarded to the Alabama Commission on Pardons and Paroles within 45 days after sentencing.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Sentencing