(a) A defendant is not eligible for bail when he or she is charged with
capital murder pursuant to Section 13A-5-40, if the court is of the opinion, on the evidence adduced, that he or she is guilty of the offense .
Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-13-3
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- 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.
- Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
- Impeachment: (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate.
- 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.
- person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
b. Kidnapping in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-6-43.
c. Rape in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-6-61.
d. Sodomy in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-6-63.
e. Sexual torture, as provided in Section 13A-6-65.1.
f. Domestic violence in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-6-130.
g. Human trafficking in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-6-152.
h. Burglary in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-7-5.
i. Arson in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-7-41.
j. Robbery in the first degree, as provided in Section 13A-8-41.
k. Terrorism, as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of Section 13A-10-152.
l. Aggravated child abuse, as provided in subsection (b) of Section 26-15-3.1.
(2) A court shall order that a defendant charged with an offense listed in this subsection be held without bond prior to a pretrial detention hearing.
(3) The court shall hold a pretrial detention hearing immediately upon the defendant’s first appearance before the court, unless the prosecuting attorney or the defendant requests a continuance. Except for good cause, a continuance on a motion of the defendant may not exceed five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, and a continuance on motion by the prosecuting attorney may not exceed three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. The defendant shall be detained during any continuance.
(4)
a.
A defendant shall have all of the following rights at a pretrial detention hearing:
1. To be represented by counsel. If the defendant is financially unable to obtain counsel, he or she shall have counsel appointed.
5. To cross-examine witnesses.
b. The judge shall have discretion as to who the defendant may call as a witness as provided in this subdivision at the pretrial detention hearing.
(5) In considering whether there are any conditions or combination of conditions that would reasonably ensure the defendant’s appearance in court or protect the safety of the community and of any person, the court shall consider all of the following factors:
a. The nature and circumstances of the offenses charged.
b. The weight of the evidence against the defendant.
c. The history and characteristics of the defendant, including, but not limited to the defendant’s character, physical and mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length of residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearance at court proceedings, and, whether, at the time of the current offense, the defendant was on probation, parole, or on other release pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence for an offense.
d. The nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community if the defendant is released.
(6) At any pretrial detention hearing, the rules governing admissibility of evidence in criminal trials shall not apply, and the court shall receive all relevant evidence. All evidence shall be recorded. The testimony of a defendant may not be admissible in any other criminal proceeding against the defendant, except if being used for perjury based on the testimony or for the purpose of impeachment in any subsequent proceeding.
(7)
a. A prosecuting attorney may file a motion for a pretrial detention hearing at any time.
b. A pretrial detention hearing may be reopened, before or after a determination by the court, at any time prior to trial if the court finds that information exists that was not known by the movant at the time of the pretrial detention hearing.
(8) In an order denying bail, the judge shall make written findings or state for the record findings of fact and a statement of the reasons for denying bail. The judge shall enter an order denying bail within 48 hours of the hearing.
