Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-10-40

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • circuit: means judicial circuit. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • 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.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.

A writ of arrest must be issued by the clerk forthwith after the finding of the indictment against each defendant who is not in actual custody, who has not been bailed, whose undertaking of bail has been declared forfeited or when an order is made by the judge presiding when the indictment is returned by the grand jury commanding that writ of arrest issue; or it may be issued without order of court by the district attorney of the circuit or by any circuit judge. But if the defendant is in actual custody, he shall be held by virtue of the indictment and no writ of arrest need be issued, unless it is so ordered by the judge presiding when the indictment is found.