(a) If there is just reason to fear the commission of an offense, the defendant must be required to give security to keep the peace, in such sum as the circuit, district or municipal court judge may direct, towards all the people of this state, particularly the person against whom or whose property there is reason to fear the offense may be committed, for such time as the judge may direct, though not more than 12 nor less than six months; but the defendant must not be required to appear at any court unless he has actually committed an offense cognizable in such court.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-6-24

  • 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.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • property: includes both real and personal property. 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
(b) The undertaking to keep the peace may be, in substance, as follows:

“The State of Alabama,}

We (here insert the names of the defendant and his sureties), agree to pay to the

___________ County.}

State of Alabama $1,000.00 (or such sum as the judge directs) if the said (here insert name of the defendant) does not keep the peace for 12 months (or as the case may be) from this undertaking, towards all the citizens of this state, and particularly towards (here insert the name of the person against whom or whose property, there is reason to fear the commission of the offense).

Dated _____ day of _____, 20__.

(Signed) A.B.

C.D.

E.F.

Approved, L. M., (Circuit, District or Municipal) Judge.”