§ 13A-12-232 — Sentence Not to Be Suspended, Deferred, Etc., Prior to Mandatory Minimum Term; Reduction, Suspension, Etc., of Sentence for Assistance in Arrest, Conviction, Etc., of Accessories, Principals, Etc

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 22, Title 15, or any other provision of law, with respect to any person who is found to have violated Section 13A-12-231, adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence shall not be suspended, deferred, or withheld, nor shall such person be eligible for any type of parole, probation, work release, supervised intensive restitution program, release because of deduction from sentence for good behavior under corrections incentive time act or any other program, furlough, pass, leave, or any other type of early, conditional, or temporary release program, nor shall such person be permitted to leave the penitentiary for any reason whatsoever except for necessary court appearances and for necessary medical treatment, prior to serving the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment prescribed in this article or 15 years, whichever is less. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed in any way to render any inmate eligible for parole, probation, suspended sentence, furlough, pass, leave, or any type or early, conditional, or temporary release program of any type to which the inmate is not otherwise eligible under other provision of law. Nor shall anything in this section be construed to render any person sentenced to life imprisonment without parole under this or any other act eligible for parole, probation, suspended sentence, furlough, pass, leave, or any type of early, conditional, or temporary release program at any time.
(b) The prosecuting attorney may move the sentencing court to reduce or suspend the sentence of any person who is convicted of a violation of Section 13A-12-231, except where the sentence is life imprisonment without parole, and who provides substantial assistance in the arrest, or in the conviction of any of his accomplices, accessories, coconspirators, or principals. The arresting agency shall be given an opportunity to be heard in aggravation or mitigation in reference to any such motion. Upon good cause shown, the motion may be filed and heard in camera. The judge hearing the motion may reduce or suspend the sentence if he finds that the defendant rendered such substantial assistance. Under no circumstances may the judge reduce or suspend the sentence except upon motion of the prosecuting attorney.

Legislative History

(Acts 1980, No. 80-587, p. 926; Acts 1986, No. 86-534, p. 1035, §2; Acts 1987, No. 87-708, p. 1246, §3; Code 1975, §20-2-81; Acts 1988, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 88-918, p. 512, §2(5).)