Sentencing - Role of jury and court

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AR Code › Title 5 › Chapter 4 › Subchapter 1 › Section 5-4-103

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

(a) If a defendant is charged with a felony and is found guilty of an offense by a jury, the jury shall fix punishment in a separate proceeding as authorized by this chapter. (b) Except as provided by §§ 5-4-601 - 5-4-605 , 5-4-607 , and 5-4-608 , the court shall fix punishment as authorized by this chapter in any case in which: (1) The defendant pleads guilty to an offense; (2) The defendant's guilt is tried by the court; (3) The jury fails to agree on punishment; (4) The prosecution and the defense agree that the court may fix punishment; or (5) A jury sentence is found by the trial court or an appellate court to be in excess of the punishment authorized by law. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 802; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-802; Acts 1993, No. 535, § 1; 1993, No. 551, § 1.

(a) If a defendant is charged with a felony and is found guilty of an offense by a jury, the jury shall fix punishment in a separate proceeding as authorized by this chapter.

(b) Except as provided by §§ 5-4-601 - 5-4-605 , 5-4-607 , and 5-4-608 , the court shall fix punishment as authorized by this chapter in any case in which: (1) The defendant pleads guilty to an offense; (2) The defendant's guilt is tried by the court; (3) The jury fails to agree on punishment; (4) The prosecution and the defense agree that the court may fix punishment; or (5) A jury sentence is found by the trial court or an appellate court to be in excess of the punishment authorized by law.

(1) The defendant pleads guilty to an offense;

(2) The defendant's guilt is tried by the court;

(3) The jury fails to agree on punishment;

(4) The prosecution and the defense agree that the court may fix punishment; or

(5) A jury sentence is found by the trial court or an appellate court to be in excess of the punishment authorized by law.

Acts 1975, No. 280, § 802; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-802; Acts 1993, No. 535, § 1; 1993, No. 551, § 1.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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