On October 20, 2014, a grand jury indicted Hubbard on 23 total counts, including "four counts of using of his office as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for personal gain, one count of voting for legislation with a conflict of interest, eleven counts of soliciting or receiving a thing of value from a lobbyist or principal, two counts of using his office as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for personal gain, four counts of lobbying an executive department or agency for a fee and one count of using state equipment and materials for private gain." Each count carries a maximum penalty of two to 20 years in prison and $30,000 in fines. Hubbard was booked in the Lee County jail that same day. The indictment did not remove him from his position in the legislature or his role as speaker. Hubbard suggested that these charges were nothing more than a witch hunt. In a statement, he said, "Friends, if there was any doubt that this was a political witch hunt, I think it is pretty clear right now that is exactly what it is. This has been going on for two years, dragging on and on, and here they come two weeks before an election and make these allegations. The fact is that we've done some great things in this state and some powerful people don't like it." Hubbard's trial had been due to begin on March 28, 2016; county circuit judge Jacob Walker pushed it back to April 11, a date which was immediately considered in doubt due to apparent scheduling conflicts. Lead prosecutor Matt Hart was said to have suffered a knee injury, forcing him off the case for weeks, and Walker was scheduled to preside over a murder trial in May. On April 11, 2016, prosecutors filed a motion to introduce new evidence that will show Hubbard's "other crimes, wrongs or acts" in the trial. The trial began on May 24. On June 10, 2016, Hubbard was acquitted of 11 charges and convicted on 12 felony charges, which automatically removed him from office according to state law. On July 8, 2016, Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison. He was also ordered to pay $210,000 in fines.