CLASS D FELONY
On January 30, 2016, the new law on Class D felonies in Alabama went into effect.(Prison Reform Bill) The sentence for a Class D felony, is not more than 5 years or less than 1 year and 1 day and must be in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 15-18-8. A Class D felony carries a maximum fine of $7,500.

The Prison Reform Bill is intended to divert low level property and drug offense defendants away from prison, and hopefully reducing the costs of corrections in Alabama. The Prison Reform Bill places new emphasis on parole and supervision of offenders to divert some from prison and to keep others from going back. If it will be successful or not is the question. Alabama has been far behind other states in enacting new criminal reforms. At least Alabama has taken a step toward fixing our troubled corrections programs.