The bill amends Section 13A-5-9 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to clarify the definition of "convicted" in relation to the habitual offender law. The new legal language specifies that "convicted" includes any conviction from Alabama or other states, and it explicitly states that convictions based on a plea of nolo contendere, a plea of no contest, a best interests plea, or an Alford plea will be treated the same as a guilty plea, unless any of these pleas has been expunged. This insertion aims to ensure that various types of pleas are recognized in the same manner as traditional guilty pleas for the purposes of determining habitual offender status.

Additionally, the bill outlines the punishment structure for defendants with prior felony convictions who commit subsequent felonies, detailing the consequences based on the class of the felony committed. The amendments include specific punishments for Class A, B, and C felonies, as well as provisions for Class D felonies in relation to prior convictions. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-5-9
Engrossed: 13A-5-9