The 2026 Second Chance Index
How Alabama ranks for second chances
Alabama ranks 49th of 51 (tied) in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 35 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 26.5 points below the median state (61.5). It shares the rank with Alaska and Florida.
Built from Alabama's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
35 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 20 / 50
- Voting rights
- 6 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 9 / 20
Every point Alabama earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about Alabama, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
20 of 50 points| What we score | Alabama | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | You have to apply | 0/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | None found | 0/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | No | 0/3 |
Voting rights
6 of 30 points| What we score | Alabama | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | Extra steps for some | 6/30 |
Where the felony line falls
9 of 20 points| What we score | Alabama | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | More than $500 | 2/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 4th offense | 7/10 |
Where the 65 missing points are
- 24When the vote comes back after a felony: Extra steps for some
- 15Some records clear automatically: You have to apply
- 12A general route to clear a felony: None found
- 8Theft becomes a felony at: More than $500
- 3A DUI conviction can be cleared: No
- 3Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 4th offense
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean Alabama offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near Alabama
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How Alabama ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/alabama, checked October 29, 2026.