Can you get probation for a felony in Alabama?
Asked by: Prof. Scotty Lebsack IV | Last update: November 23, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (48 votes)
In Alabama, you can face up to two years probation for a misdemeanor and up to five years probation for a felony. Your initial sentence can be shortened or lengthened under certain conditions, but the probation sentence cannot exceed these limits for a single offense.
Can a first time felon get probation in Alabama?
The goal of probation is rehabilitation. For this reason, it's usually ordered for first-time or less serious offenses. Probation is different from parole. While parole also involves community supervision, it's granted by a parole board after an offender has served part of their jail sentence.
How bad is felony probation?
The maximum county jail time for a felony probation sentence is one year (served at half-time). Felony probation typically lasts between three and five years in California. The terms of probation are imposed by the judge. Importantly, the probationer must obey all laws.
What are the conditions of probation in Alabama?
The court shall determine and may at any time modify the conditions of probation . The conditions of probation shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (1) Avoid injurious or vicious habits. (2) Avoid persons or places of disreputable or harmful character.
How long do you go to jail for a class A felony in Alabama?
(a) Sentences for felonies shall be for a definite term of imprisonment, which imprisonment includes hard labor, within the following limitations: (1) For a Class A felony, for life or not more than 99 years or less than 10 years.
Can I get probation for a D felony
Does a felony ever go away in Alabama?
How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record in Alabama? Unless it is expunged, a felony record stays on the offender's record forever. Only a record that has been expunged will be erased from a criminal record.
Can you get probation for a Class A felony?
However, under the right circumstances, the court may grant probation instead of jail or prison time, even for felonies. Probation allows a person to serve their sentence while living in the community under supervision rather than behind bars.
Can you drink alcohol on probation in Alabama?
Understanding Probation in Alabama
Common conditions of probation may include regular check-ins with the probation officer, abstaining from drug and alcohol use, maintaining employment or education, and avoiding association with known criminals.
What is the most common condition of probation?
Standard conditions are a part of the probation, no matter the level or type of crime. They typically include attendance to classes or therapies, random drug testing, no criminal activity and no contact with certain people.
How many people are on probation in Alabama?
The Community Corrections System
As of December 31, 2022, Alabama community corrections population was 42,260 under probation and 7,400 under parole.
How to avoid jail time for felony?
- #1: Negotiating plea bargains. Pleading out can be a strategic move. ...
- #2: Rehabilitation and counseling. ...
- #3: Character references. ...
- #4: Diversion programs. ...
- #5: Demonstrating remorse.
What kind of offenders are usually denied probation?
In other cases, an offender is presumed to be ineligible for probation (use or a deadly weapon, 2 or more prior felony convictions, willful infliction of great injury, residential burglary, etc); other cases, an offender is statutorily ineligible for probation (certain sex crimes, prior strikes, crime with life ...
Is probation better than jail time?
Unlike a straight incarceration term or placement, a person placed on probation can continue their employment, take care of their family, earn money to pay financial obligations.
Can you travel on probation in Alabama?
Travel Permit Information
As a person under pretrial or post conviction supervision, your travel will be restricted. If you must travel outside of the area mandated by the terms of your release, you must first obtain a written travel permit from your probation officer or the officer designated by him in his absence.
How often are felony charges reduced?
Regardless of the cause, around 25-30% of felony charges get dropped before trial, so there's a decent chance your case could get dismissed, too.
What is a level 4 felony?
Fourth-degree felonies are the least serious felony offenses and carry up to 18 months' imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. False imprisonment, aggravated assault, and forgery are fourth-degree felonies.
Who is more likely to be on probation?
People with a mental illness are more likely to be on probation than those without, and this disparity was even more pronounced for women and those with a co-occurring substance use disorder.
What rights do you lose while on probation?
Limitations on Rights During Probation
While individuals on probation retain basic rights, there are certain limitations. For instance, probationers may be subject to unannounced home or workplace visits from their probation officer, drug testing, and restrictions on their freedom to travel.
In which situation is the offender most likely to receive probation?
An offender is most likely to be given probation for a less serious crime like petty theft, not serious offenses like homicide, kidnapping, or arson. These are considered misdemeanors, unlike the latter which are felonies, often resulting in more lenient penalties such as fines, short-term jail sentences, or probation.
What are the rules for probation in Alabama?
- The defendant must not commit another federal, state or local crime.
- The defendant must not unlawfully possess a controlled substance. ...
- The defendant must cooperate in the collection of DNA as directed by the probation officer.
Can a felon be around alcohol?
If you are not on probation, but just have a felony in your past, then there is nothing preventing you from going to a bar or drinking alcohol.
Can a probation officer take your phone?
The Supreme Court upheld a California statute allowing law enforcement officers (not only probation and parole officers) to conduct suspicionless investigatory searches and seizures of parolees at any time (Sampson v. California, 547 U.S. 843 (2006)).
Can you get probation for a class B felony in Alabama?
Section 15-18-8 - Terms of confinement, etc.; probation (a) When a defendant is convicted of an offense, other than a sex offense involving a child as defined in Section 15-20A-4, that constitutes a Class A or Class B felony offense, and receives a sentence of 20 years or less, the judge presiding over the case may ...
Is a felony always jail time?
Understanding Felony Sentences in California
These include offenses like grand theft, certain drug offenses, and violent crimes. Traditionally, felonies carry the possibility of a state prison sentence, fines, or both. However, not all felony convictions lead to jail time.