In a state court criminal prosecution, the judge may order a defendant to perform court-ordered community service—often in conjunction with an alternative sentence such as probation, pretrial diversion, or deferred adjudication.

Similarly, in the federal courts, community service is not a sentence, but a special condition of probation or supervised release. The probation officer’s presentence report—which the court relies on in choosing a fair sentence—may recommend that the court require community service. The court usually requires that the offender complete a specified number of hours of community service (usually from 100 to 500) within a given time frame (usually not to exceed one year).

Court-ordered community service may be related to the underlying criminal offense. For example, a defendant charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) may be ordered to complete court-ordered community service by volunteering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) or giving speeches to young adults on the dangers of drinking and driving.

In Alabama, judges have the discretion to order defendants to perform court-ordered community service as part of an alternative sentence such as probation, pretrial diversion, or deferred adjudication in state court criminal prosecutions. This community service is often tailored to be related to the nature of the offense and serves as a rehabilitative measure. For instance, a defendant convicted of a DWI may be required to work with organizations like MADD or engage in public speaking to educate others about the risks of impaired driving. In the federal system, community service can be imposed as a special condition of probation or supervised release. The probation officer's presentence report may suggest community service, and if the court adopts this recommendation, the defendant will be required to complete a certain number of hours within a specified timeframe. The goal of such community service is to benefit the community, provide a learning experience for the offender, and potentially reduce the likelihood of reoffending.