Each month, the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office highlights some of its stand out employees and attorneys. This month we would like to introduce you to Assistant District Attorney Madison Davison! Madison has been with our office since 2016 and she has been a phenomenal addition. The Prattville native always knew she wanted to be a prosecutor and she has worked hard to help fight for justice for the victims of Mobile County. If she is not at the office you will probably find her spending time with her husband Chase and their two beautiful dogs.
Did you always know that you wanted to pursue a career in law and what spurred this decision?
I chose a career as a Prosecutor because I’ve always loved the courtroom and the excitement of the trial process. My Dad is a trial judge and I began watching trials while still in elementary school. I was always fascinated watching prosecutors and defense lawyers work in the courtroom and as I grew older, the process of the law became my passion. Becoming a Prosecutor was my dream and really the only career I ever considered. As I have grown in my professional life, I am proud of the work we as prosecutors do every day and I have gained tremendous admiration and respect for the judges, defense lawyers and others within the Court System as well as those who have chosen other professional fields within our criminal justice system.
What is your favorite thing about working for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office?
My favorite thing about working in the Mobile County District Attorney’s office is the amazing people I get to work with every day. I really enjoy working in a team environment, and there’s no better team than the one we have at the District Attorney’s Office!
What drives and motivates you to come to work each day?
Mobile is my community, and doing my best to make a positive difference in the lives of the people of this community is what gets me out of bed and to the office each day. Bringing both closure and justice to victims in Mobile County is certainly one of my biggest motivators.
If you could change one thing about the criminal justice system, what would it be?
While there are a number of particular things that I would consider changing, I would probably change the Alabama sentencing scheme in order to better inform the public of the actual length of prison sentences imposed by our courts. Currently, it’s difficult for citizens, victims and even lawyers to actually know the specific term of imprisonment a convicted defendant will really serve.
Many States use what is called “Indeterminate Sentencing”. Under that system, two terms, usually in years, are given at the sentencing hearing, a “short term” and a “long term”. For example, under indeterminate sentencing, a defendant might be sentenced to a term of 15 to 25 years in prison. The “short term” is the minimum number of years the defendant will serve before first being considered for parole; in this example 15 years. Applying this system, after the initial 15 years of imprisonment, the defendant would come before the Parole Board for consideration of parole and if not paroled on the first appearance, he or she would be returned every 3 to 5 years for further parole consideration. If not paroled before the expiration of the long term (25 years) the defendant would end his or her sentence at 25 years.
The use of Indeterminate Sentencing provides a clear, concise and easily understandable picture of the actual minimum and maximum length of imprisonment a convicted defendant will actually serve.