Overview.
Criminal Law is unique in
that serious consequences and/or sanction may be
imposed for failure to abide by the rules. The Code
of Alabama 1975 Title 13A, contains the criminal
code for the State of Alabama, and all the elements
that compose each crime. Criminal offenses are
serious crimes that require serious and dedicated
representation. Criminal convictions often times can
severely impact your way of life by imposing
restrictions on daily activities. At The Beard Law
Group we work hard to defend against your criminal
charges, preserve your rights, and ensure that your
experience in the court system is fair and
impartial.
In Alabama, offenses fall into two (2) categories;
felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies and misdemeanors
are divided into classes based on the different
elements required and severity. The felony and
misdemeanor classifications and punishments are as
follows:
Class A felony: A Class A
felony is one in which the sentence can be no less
than 10 years and no more than life or ninety-nine
years. If a deadly weapon, more specifically a
firearm was used in this crime the conviction will
be twenty years minimum. In the event that the
conviction is for capital murder, the accused will
receive an immediate sentence of life. Fines are no
more than $60,000.
Class B felony: A Class B
felony is one in which the sentence can be no less
than two (2) years and no more than twenty (20)
years. A fine may also be imposed for a Class B
felony, but it may not exceed $10,000.00.
Class C felony: A Class C
felony is one in which the sentence is no less than
two (2) years and no more than twenty (20) years. A
fine may also be imposed for a Class C felony, but
it may not exceed $5,000.00.
Class A misdemeanor: A Class
A misdemeanor is one in which the sentence can be no
less than one (1) year (which is generally served in
the county jail in which you were arrested), and a
fine that may not exceed $6,000.00.
Class B misdemeanor: A Class
B misdemeanor is one in which the sentence can be up
to six (6) months in jail (which is generally served
in the county jail in which you were arrested), and
a fine that may not exceed $1,000.00.
Class C misdemeanor: A Class
C misdemeanor is one in which the sentence can be up
to three (3) months in jail (which is generally
served in the county jail in which you were
arrested), with no specified maximum for fines.
In Alabama our court system imposes several
different types of punishments including but not
limited to the following:
- Capital Punishment
- Incarceration
- Probation
- Parole
- House Arrest
- Fines
Our criminal defense practice includes but is not limited to the following:
- Theft
- Robbery
- Burglary
- DUI
- Juvenile charges
- Assault
-
Drug charges