SB296 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dan RobertsSenator

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

The bill allows district attorneys or their employees to complete voluntary sentencing standards worksheets in felony cases, clarifying who can prepare them.

What This Bill Does

If passed, district attorneys or their employees may prepare the voluntary sentencing standards worksheet for the judge's consideration. The sentencing judge must review and consider the worksheet, and if the sentence departs from the standards, a brief written reason may be provided (not subject to appellate review, but used for commission statistics). The court and clerk have reporting duties to forward relevant documents to the sentencing commission within 45 days and maintain existing distribution rules for the worksheets.

Who It Affects

• District attorneys and their employees may now complete the voluntary sentencing standards worksheets for the sentencing judge's consideration in felony cases.
• Probation officers and other participants appointed by the judge (including an employee of the Board of Pardons and Paroles) who present or participate in the worksheet process remain involved in the sentencing workflow.

Key Provisions

• Allows the district attorney or his or her employee to complete the appropriate voluntary sentencing standards worksheet for the sentencing judge's consideration in felony cases.
• Requires the trial court to review and consider the applicable voluntary sentencing standards, and permits a brief written reason if the sentence departs from the standards (not subject to appellate review, but provided to the commission for statistics).
• Requires transmission of the sentencing order, the worksheets, and any departure explanation to the sentencing commission within 45 days after imposition, and maintains distribution requirements for worksheets.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Sentencing