Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Alabama
Alabama sorts felonies into four classes, A through D, and misdemeanors into three classes, A through C. Violations are a lower level that is not classified. Capital offenses carry death or life without parole.1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Alabama's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Alabama, a felony is an offense that can be punished by more than one year in prison. A misdemeanor is an offense that can be punished by no more than one year.1
- Felony theft starts at
- More than $500How theft is graded
- When a DUI is a felony
- A fourth or later DUI conviction within 10 years is a Class C felony (1 year and 1 day to 10 years in prison). After one felony DUI conviction, every later DUI is a felony. First, second and third convictions carry up to 1 year in jail.2
Felony classes in Alabama
From most to least serious: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A felony | 10 to 99 years, or lifeThe minimum is 20 years if a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted, or for a Class A felony sex offense involving a child. | Up to $60,000 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-6(a)(1), (a)(5); § 13A-5-11(a)(1)6 |
| Class B felony | 2 to 20 yearsThe minimum is 10 years if a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted, or for a Class B felony sex offense involving a child. | Up to $30,000 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-6(a)(2), (a)(6); § 13A-5-11(a)(2)6 |
| Class C felony | 1 year and 1 day to 10 yearsThe minimum is 10 years if a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted. | Up to $15,000 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-6(a)(3), (a)(6); § 13A-5-11(a)(3)6 |
| Class D felony | 1 year and 1 day to 5 years | Up to $7,500 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-6(a)(4); § 13A-5-11(a)(4)6 |
Misdemeanor classes in Alabama
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $6,000 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-7(a)(1); § 13A-5-12(a)(1)7 |
| Class B misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $3,000 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-7(a)(2); § 13A-5-12(a)(2)7 |
| Class C misdemeanor | Up to 3 months | Up to $500 | Ala. Code § 13A-5-7(a)(3); § 13A-5-12(a)(3)7 |
Below a misdemeanor
| Class | Penalty | The law |
|---|---|---|
| Violation | Up to 30 days in county jail; fine up to $200Violations are not divided into classes. | Ala. Code § 13A-5-3(d); § 13A-5-7(b); § 13A-5-12(b)7 |
| Capital offense | Death or life without paroleIf the person was under 18 at the time, the penalty is life or life without parole. | Ala. Code § 13A-5-39(1)8 |
Good to know
Courts may instead set a fine of up to double the money the defendant gained or the victim lost, even if that is more than the class limit.3
Alabama's habitual felony offender law raises the sentence for people with earlier felony convictions, and since Oct. 1, 2026 (Act 2026-496) out-of-state convictions and no-contest or Alford pleas count too, unless expunged. A felony DUI conviction does not count toward it.4
When theft is a felony in Alabama
In Alabama, theft of property worth more than $500 is a felony. Third-degree theft (more than $500 up to $1,499) is a Class D felony. Second-degree theft ($1,500 to $2,500) is a Class C felony. First-degree theft (more than $2,500) is a Class B felony. Theft of $500 or less is a Class A misdemeanor. Some property is a felony at any value: a motor vehicle or property taken from a person (first degree), a firearm (second degree), and a credit or debit card (third degree).5
Ala. Code §§ 13A-8-3, 13A-8-4, 13A-8-4.1, 13A-8-5 · Felony theft amounts in every state
DUI in Alabama
Alabama calls it driving under the influence (DUI). The statute is titled Driving While Under Influence of Alcohol, Controlled Substances, Etc.
- Repeat offenses
- A fourth or later DUI conviction within 10 years is a Class C felony (1 year and 1 day to 10 years in prison). After one felony DUI conviction, every later DUI is a felony. First, second and third convictions carry up to 1 year in jail.
- Which past offenses count
- A prior DUI counts if it was within 10 years of the new offense. Once someone has a felony DUI conviction, every later DUI is a felony no matter how long ago it was.
- Other felony versions
- The DUI statute makes an offense a felony only on a fourth or later conviction or after a felony DUI. A child under 14 in the car, a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more, or refusing a test make the penalty harsher but do not by themselves make a first, second or third DUI a felony.
Ala. Code § 32-5A-191(e)-(j), (p)2 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Alabama?
In Alabama, a felony is an offense that can be punished by more than one year in prison. A misdemeanor is an offense that can be punished by no more than one year.
What is a Class A felony in Alabama?
In Alabama, the prison range for a Class A felony is 10 to 99 years, or life, and the fine is up to $60,000. The minimum is 20 years if a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted, or for a Class A felony sex offense involving a child.
What is a Class B felony in Alabama?
In Alabama, the prison range for a Class B felony is 2 to 20 years, and the fine is up to $30,000. The minimum is 10 years if a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted, or for a Class B felony sex offense involving a child.
What is a Class C felony in Alabama?
In Alabama, the prison range for a Class C felony is 1 year and 1 day to 10 years, and the fine is up to $15,000. The minimum is 10 years if a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted.
What is a Class D felony in Alabama?
In Alabama, the prison range for a Class D felony is 1 year and 1 day to 5 years, and the fine is up to $7,500.
What is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama?
In Alabama, the jail range for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 1 year, and the fine is up to $6,000.
What is a Class B misdemeanor in Alabama?
In Alabama, the jail range for a Class B misdemeanor is up to 6 months, and the fine is up to $3,000.
What is a Class C misdemeanor in Alabama?
In Alabama, the jail range for a Class C misdemeanor is up to 3 months, and the fine is up to $500.
How much theft is a felony in Alabama?
In Alabama, theft of property worth more than $500 is a felony. Third-degree theft (more than $500 up to $1,499) is a Class D felony. Second-degree theft ($1,500 to $2,500) is a Class C felony. First-degree theft (more than $2,500) is a Class B felony. Theft of $500 or less is a Class A misdemeanor. Some property is a felony at any value: a motor vehicle or property taken from a person (first degree), a firearm (second degree), and a credit or debit card (third degree).
Is a DUI a felony in Alabama?
A fourth or later DUI conviction within 10 years is a Class C felony (1 year and 1 day to 10 years in prison). After one felony DUI conviction, every later DUI is a felony. First, second and third convictions carry up to 1 year in jail. The DUI statute makes an offense a felony only on a fourth or later conviction or after a felony DUI. A child under 14 in the car, a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more, or refusing a test make the penalty harsher but do not by themselves make a first, second or third DUI a felony.
These are the general ranges in Alabama's sentencing laws. A specific crime can carry its own minimum or maximum, and past convictions can raise the range. This isn't legal advice; a defense lawyer or public defender can tell you what applies to a case.
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Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Alabama" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/alabama, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- Ala. Code § 13A-1-2(8)-(9)
- Ala. Code § 32-5A-191(e)-(j), (p)
- Ala. Code §§ 13A-5-11(a)(5), 13A-5-12(a)(4)
- Ala. Code § 13A-5-9(f); § 32-5A-191(h)
- Ala. Code §§ 13A-8-3, 13A-8-4, 13A-8-4.1, 13A-8-5
- Ala. Code § 13A-5-3 Classification of OffensesAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-5-6 Sentences of Imprisonment for FeloniesAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-5-7 Sentences of Imprisonment for Misdemeanors and ViolationsAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-5-12 Fines for Misdemeanors and ViolationsAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-5-39 Definitions (capital offense)Alabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-8-3 Theft of Property in the First DegreeAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-8-4 Theft of Property in the Second DegreeAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- Ala. Code § 13A-8-5 Theft of Property in the Fourth DegreeAlabama Legislature (Code of Alabama)
- HB226 (2026 Regular Session), enrolledAlabama Legislature