Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-24-3

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • 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

Following the arrest and detention of any person for an offense against the laws of this state, either the defendant or the state may, by verified affidavit filed with the court having jurisdiction, establish that the defendant is a person who has been identified as intellectually disabled and has received or is presently receiving services through the Department of Mental Health, a program certified by the Department of Mental Health, or the Department of Education.