Facing a criminal charge in Alabama

Bond and pretrial release in Alabama

Article I Section 16 of the Alabama Constitution provides that all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties except for capital offenses where the proof is evident or the presumption great. Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 7.2 lists recognizance, unsecured appearance bond, secured appearance bond (cash or surety), and conditional release among the authorized forms of pretrial release. Rule 7.2 also publishes a statewide recommended bond schedule by offense class that magistrates and judges may use as a starting point, with discretion to deviate on the record. A defendant may move for reduction of bond at any time under Rule 7.4, and the court must hold a hearing within a reasonable time after the motion is filed.

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving Alabama

Our directory is still building in Alabama. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in Alabama

Alabama expungement is governed by Code of Alabama 15-27-1 through 15-27-21, as amended by the REDEEMER Act of 2021. The statute provides a petition-based pathway for sealing of arrest records and certain misdemeanor and felony convictions. The statute provides a 90-day waiting period for non-conviction records, a 180-day waiting period for charges resolved without conviction, and a three-year period after completion of sentence for misdemeanor convictions; violent felonies, sex offenses, and serious traffic offenses including DUI are excluded. The petition is filed in the circuit court of the county of conviction.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in Alabama

Office of Indigent Defense Services serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.