Dallas County (Selma) · Federal Sentencing

Federal Sentencing in Dallas County and Selma

Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Annex, Selma (Selma division)

The Southern District of Alabama holds court in Selma as well as Mobile. Dallas County defendants are frequently arraigned, indicted, and sentenced closer to home than most people expect. Federal law applies identically — but the practical rhythm of the Selma docket is different from Mobile's.

Facts

  • The Selma court location primarily hears cases from Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, and surrounding counties in the district's northern reach.
  • The Selma division sees a higher proportion of firearms and drug distribution cases than white-collar cases.
  • Sentencing follows the 2025 U.S. Sentencing Commission Manual — the same book Mobile judges use.
  • The First Step Act allows non-violent offenders to earn additional time credits toward supervised release or home confinement.

Common Myths

  • Myth: Federal court in Selma is more lenient than Mobile.

    Reality: The guideline math is identical. Variances are driven by the individual case, not the courthouse.

  • Myth: A state charge that was dismissed can't affect a federal sentence.

    Reality: Dismissed state conduct can still be counted as 'relevant conduct' under U.S.S.G. Section 1B1.3 and can raise the offense level.

  • Myth: The judge can't sentence below a mandatory minimum, ever.

    Reality: Two paths exist: safety valve under 18 U.S.C. Section 3553(f), and a government motion for substantial assistance under Section 5K1.1 or 18 U.S.C. Section 3553(e).

Figures That Matter

Minimum sentence, 5 grams pure meth

5 years

21 U.S.C. Section 841(b)(1)(B) sets a 5-year mandatory minimum for 5g of actual methamphetamine or 50g of a mixture.

Minimum sentence, 50 grams pure meth

10 years

The 10-year mandatory minimum kicks in at 50g actual meth or 500g of a mixture.

Supervised release after prison

3 to 5 years typical

Most federal felonies carry a term of supervised release that follows any prison time. Violating it can send a defendant back to prison.

Selma is a real seat of the federal court — not an outpost. Dallas County defendants should treat their case with the same seriousness as any Mobile-division prosecution.

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Educational information only, not legal advice. Southern Alabama Sentencing Calculator is not a law firm.

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