(a) The judge to whom the application for a writ of habeas corpus is made must grant the same without delay, unless it appears from the petition itself or from the documents thereunto annexed that the person imprisoned or restrained is not entitled to the benefit of the writ under the provisions of this chapter.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-21-8

  • circuit: means judicial circuit. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • 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
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
(b) When the person is confined in the penitentiary, the writ must be made returnable before the circuit court of the county in which the convict is confined, but if the writ is granted more than 10 days before the time fixed for the holding of such court, it must be made returnable before the nearest circuit court judge. When a person is a patient or confined in any hospital in the state, the writ must be made returnable before the circuit court of the county in which the hospital is located in which he is so confined. In all other cases, the writ must be made returnable before the officer by whom it is granted.
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