(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class C felony1 to 10 yearsup to $15,000
Class A misdemeanorup to 1 yearup to $6,000
Class B misdemeanorup to 6 monthsup to $3,000
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-6 and Ala. Code § 13A-5-7
criminal case

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 13A-10-132

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Juror: A person who is on the jury.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • United States: includes the territories thereof and the District of Columbia. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. The same as defined in Section 13A-10-1.
(2) LAWFULLY ISSUED. Adopted, issued, or rendered in accordance with the applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and ordinances of the United States, a state, an agency, or a political subdivision of a state.
(3) SHAM LEGAL PROCESS. The issuance, display, delivery, distribution, reliance on as lawful authority, or other use of an instrument that is not lawfully issued, whether or not the instrument is produced for inspection or actually exists, which purports to be any one of the following:

a. A summons, subpoena, judgment, lien, arrest warrant, search warrant, or other order of a court of this state, a peace officer, or a legislative, executive, or administrative agency established by state law.
b. An assertion of jurisdiction or authority over or determination or adjudication of the legal or equitable status, rights, duties, powers, or privileges of a person or property.
c. A requirement or authorization for the search, seizure, indictment, arrest, trial, or sentencing of a person or property.
(4) STATE OR LOCAL OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE. An appointed or elected official or an employee of a state agency, board, commission, department, in a branch of state government, institution of higher education, or other unit of government in this state.
(b) It shall be unlawful for a person to impersonate a state or local official or employee or a law enforcement officer in connection with a sham legal process by acting or purporting to act in an official capacity or taking advantage of such actual or purported capacity by either of the following:

(1) Subjecting another person to arrest, detention, search, seizure, mistreatment, dispossession, assessment, lien, or other infringement of personal or property rights.
(2) Denying or impeding another person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power, or immunity.
(c) A person violating subsection (b) is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
(d) It shall be unlawful for a person falsely to assert authority of state law in connection with a sham legal process. A person violating this subsection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(e) It shall be unlawful for a person to knowingly act, without authority under state law, as any judge, magistrate, hearing officer, juror, a clerk of court, a commissioned notary public, or any other official authorized to determine a controversy or adjudicate the rights or interests of others, or to sign a document as if authorized by state law. A person violating this subsection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(f) It shall be unlawful for a person to falsely assert authority of law in an attempt to intimidate or hinder a state or local official or employee or a law enforcement officer in the discharge of official duties, by means of threats, harassment, physical abuse, or use of a sham legal process. A person violating this subsection is guilty of a Class C felony.
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