(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) AGGRAVATING FACTORS. Substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence whereby the sentencing court may impose a departure sentence above the presumptive sentence recommendation for an offense. Aggravating factors may result in dispositional or sentence range departures, or both, and shall be stated on the record by the court.
(2) DEPARTURE. A sentence which departs from the presumptive sentence recommendation for an offender.
(3) DISPOSITION. The part of the sentencing courts presumptive sentence recommendation other than sentence length.
(4) DISPOSITIONAL DEPARTURE. A sentence which departs from the presumptive sentence recommendation for disposition of sentence.
(5) MITIGATING FACTORS. Substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence whereby the sentencing court may impose a departure sentence below the presumptive sentence recommendation for an offense. Mitigating factors may result in disposition or sentence range departures, or both, and shall be stated on the record by the court.
(6) NONVIOLENT OFFENSES. As defined in Section 12-25-32.
(7) PRESUMPTIVE SENTENCE RECOMMENDATION. The recommended sentence range and disposition provided in the sentencing standards.
(8) SENTENCE RANGE. The sentencing court's discretionary range of length of sentence as provided and recommended in the presumptive sentencing recommendation.
(9) SENTENCE RANGE DEPARTURE. A sentence which departs from the presumptive sentence recommendation as to the sentence range.
(10) VIOLENT OFFENSES. As defined in Section 12-25-32.
(b) The voluntary sentencing standards as provided for in Section 12-25-34, as applied to nonviolent offenses shall become presumptive sentencing standards effective October 1, 2013, to the extent the modification adopted by the Alabama Sentencing Commission become effective October 1, 2013. The standards shall be applied by the courts in sentencing subject to departures as provided herein. To accomplish this purpose as to the existing initial voluntary sentencing standards, the Alabama Sentencing Commission shall adopt modifications to the standards, worksheets, and instructions to the extent necessary to implement this provision including, but not limited to, defining aggravating and mitigating factors that allow for departure from the presumptive sentencing recommendations. The commission's modifications shall be presented to the Legislature in the commission's annual report within the first five legislative days of the 2013 Regular Session.
(c) Durational and dispositional departures from the presumptive sentencing standards shall be subject to appellate review. Along with the modifications provided for in subsection (b), the Alabama Sentencing Commission shall recommend a narrowly defined scope of appellate review applicable to departures from presumptive sentencing recommendations. The scope of appellate review shall become effective upon approval by an act of the Legislature enacted by bill.
Last modified: May 3, 2021