Any person arrested or charged with the violation of a controlled substance offense as set forth in Sections 13A-12-212, 13A-12-213 or 13A-12-214 may file a request with the district attorney having jurisdiction over the offense to enroll in a drug abuse treatment program in lieu of undergoing prosecution. Admission to such treatment program and deferral of prosecution may be granted at the discretion of the district attorney. The Office of Prosecution Services shall establish guidelines, which shall be used by the prosecutor in evaluating the request for diversion from the criminal justice system into rehabilitation. If prosecution has been initiated by the filing of a complaint, information or indictment, prior approval and dismissal of the case must be obtained from the judge presiding over the case. Admission to such treatment or rehabilitation program and deferral of prosecution is subject to the following conditions:

(1) The defendant must have no prior felony convictions for controlled substance offenses or other pending felony charges.

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Violationup to 30 daysup to $200
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-7
criminal case

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-23-5

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
(2) Where the person arrested or charged is in violation of a controlled substance offense as set forth in Sections 13A-12-212, 13A-12-213 or 13A-12-214, they may request diversion. The amount of controlled substances involved, however, must not exceed the amounts below.

a. 113.2 grams or four ounces of cannabis;
b. Five grams of cocaine HCL or of any mixture containing cocaine, as described in Section 20-2-25(1);
c. 500 milligrams of cocaine base;
d. One gram of any morphine, opium or any salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof, including heroin, as described in Section 20-2-23(2) or Section 20-2-25(1)a, or one gram of any mixture containing any such substance;
e. Ten pills or capsules of methaqualone, as described in Section 20-2-1, et seq.;
f. Ten pills or capsules of barbiturate or benzodiazepine as described in Section 20-2-1, et seq.;
g. Five pills or capsules of hydromorphone, meperidine, pentazocine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, propoxyphene as described in Sections 20-2-1, et seq.;
h. One gram of 3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamine, or of any mixture containing 3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;
i. One gram of 5-methoxy-3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamine, or any mixture containing 5-methoxy-3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;
j. Fifty milligrams of phencyclidine, or any mixture containing phencyclidine;
k. Fifty milligrams of lysergic acid diethylamide or one gram of any mixture containing lysergic acid diethylamide;
l. Twenty pills or tablets of 3, 4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine; 3,4 methylenedioxy ethylamphetamine.
(3) If diversion to treatment is allowed, the offender shall:

a. Provide information needed to conduct an assessment of his treatment needs;
b. Complete the recommended treatment;
c. Complete a drug or alcohol testing program;
d. Pay restitution to his victim;
e. Unless indigent, pay for his assessment, treatment, and monitoring.
(4) If the defendant fails to complete treatment and pay the required costs, the prosecutor shall initiate charges against the defendant.
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