Alabama Appleseed

News / National / State

Cannabis advocates troubled by veteran’s 5-year sentence for medical marijuana

The Alabama Cannabis Industry Association on Monday released a statement critical of the decision by an Alabama court to imprison an Arizona man for five years after his probation for a 2016 marijuana arrest was revoked in April. Sean Worsley was an Iraq War vet who legally uses marijuana for post-traumatic stress disorder, and for … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 14, 2020

Black disabled veteran sentenced to spend 60 months in prison for medical marijuana

A 2016 arrest for marijuana that has turned into a 60-month sentence in an Alabama penitentiary for a disabled veteran from Arizona is drawing national attention.

Brandon Moseley

July 13, 2020

Bills could improve access to diversion programs, report notes high fees and roadblocks

Bills recently introduced in the Alabama House and Senate aim to improve access to specialized courts and diversion programs, meant to get people the help they need and keep them from behind bars. Even with more access to those programs and courts, however, many can’t afford the exorbitant fees to remain free, according to a … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

February 13, 2020

Parole hearings in Alabama will resume today after a two month suspension of hearings

Monday, State Pardons and Paroles director Judge Charlie Graddick said at a news conference that he speaks for the public by encouraging that actions taken regarding violent offenders be reviewed very carefully. “Foremost, inmates do not have an innate right to be paroled, they must earn such a privilege,” Graddick told reporters. “Parole consideration dates … Continued

Brandon Moseley

November 5, 2019

Alabama Appleseed selects Carla Crowder as new executive director

Advocacy group Alabama Appleseed has chosen a new executive director. The group, which has opposed civil asset forfeiture, high court fees and fines, and pushed for new payday loan regulations, announced Monday that its board of directors has chosen Carla Crowder, a former Equal Justice Initiative attorney and Birmingham News reporter, as the organization’s new … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 15, 2019

Report finds Alabamians give up daily necessities to pay off burdensome court fines, fees

Many Alabamians with court debt are sacrificing basic daily needs like food and medical care to pay down burdensome court costs, fines and fees, a new report has found. The report — released Wednesday by the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, UAB’s Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities and Legal Services Alabama — found … Continued

Chip Brownlee

October 11, 2018

Ivey orders sheriffs not to pocket excess prisoner food money

Tuesday, in two memos, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that sheriffs may no longer personally profit from a very small portion of jail food funds: those state funds allocated for services in preparing and serving food to people in their jails. In a statement, Governor Ivey said: “Public funds should be used for public … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 12, 2018

Bill to loosen marijuana laws gets favorable report from committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday gave a favorable report to a bill that would decrease the criminal penalties for marijuana possession. Senate Bill 251, sponsored by Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Montgomery, would reclassify the possession of 1 ounce of less of marijuana as a fine-only offense. It would also … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 22, 2018

Bill to “ban the box” from state job applications gets favorable report in committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would remove the box asking, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime,” from state job applications. The bill is supported by Alabama Appleseed and the Southern Poverty Law Center. “SB198 ensures that the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 26, 2018

Opinion

Eight $100 million ideas for prison reform in Alabama

By Stephen Cooper Instead of wrapping an $800 million ($1.5 billion over 30 years) albatross around the necks of Alabamians to build four new “super-max” style prisons, here are eight $100 million dollar ideas, each of which, I respectfully submit, are more efficient and morally sound ways to tackle Alabama’s prison problems: 1. Write a … Continued

Stephen Cooper

May 4, 2016