(a) In felony cases, a probation officer, the district attorney, or some other person appointed at the discretion of the sentencing judge, and within the time frame set by the judge, shall, after notice to the offender or his or her attorney, present a completed appropriate voluntary sentencing standards worksheet to the sentencing judge for consideration.
criminal case

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-25-35

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) The trial court shall review the sentencing standards worksheet and consider the suitability of the applicable voluntary sentencing standards established pursuant to this article. In imposing sentence, the court shall indicate on the record that the worksheet and applicable sentencing standards have been reviewed and considered.
(c) In any felony case in which the trial court imposes a sentence that departs from the voluntary standards, and sentences outside the voluntary sentencing standards in accordance with existing law, the court may provide a brief written reason for the departure. Neither the departure nor the reason stated for the departure shall be subject to appellate review but shall be supplied to the commission for future consideration concerning modification of the voluntary sentencing standards and for statistical purposes only.
(d) Copies of the voluntary sentencing standards worksheets, prepared pursuant to this article, shall be subject to the same distribution requirements as presentence investigation reports.
(e) Following the imposition of a sentence in a felony case, the clerk of the court in which the case was disposed shall forward a copy of the sentencing order or orders, a copy of the voluntary sentencing standards worksheets prepared in the case, and a copy of any departure explanation to the commission within 45 days after the imposition of sentence.
(f) Failure to follow any or all of the provisions of this section, or failure to follow any or all of the provisions of this section in the prescribed manner, shall not be reviewable on appeal or the basis of any other post-conviction relief.
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