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Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-25-5

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

In any criminal proceeding and juvenile cases where the defendant is alleged to have had unlawful sexual contact with a child or a protected person, the court shall permit the use of anatomically correct dolls or mannequins to assist an alleged victim or witness who is under the age of 12 at the time of trial, or who is a protected person, in testifying on direct and cross-examination at trial, or in a video deposition as provided in this article.